Chapter 12
Arthur changed tactics.
“You all benefited.”
Vincent stared.
Arthur continued:
“When Gabriel doubted you, I protected you.”
Peter laughed bitterly.
“You told me he wanted my son removed.”
Arthur shrugged.
“He questioned your judgment.”
“That isn’t the same thing.”
Arthur smiled coldly.
“It felt the same.”
There.
The entire method.
Make a concern feel like betrayal.
Turn nuance into insult.
Turn insecurity into loyalty to Arthur.
Michael stepped forward.
“You told Gabriel I was asking for more territory.”
Arthur answered:
“You were.”
“I asked you privately.”
“Exactly.”
Silence.
Arthur genuinely believed privacy was weakness waiting to be monetized.
Then Caleb spoke.
“He did it to me too.”
Arthur turned slowly.
“Be quiet.”
Caleb’s face tightened.
Arthur smiled.
“Don’t embarrass yourself.”
Caleb looked around at the capos.
“My whole life he told me I wasn’t ready.”
Arthur rolled his eyes.
“You aren’t.”
“He promised security control.”
“You had it.”
“No.”
Caleb pointed toward Gabriel.
“You were going to remove him and blame one of his capos.”
Arthur’s face hardened.
“Stop.”
“You were going to call me acting head of estate security.”
“Caleb.”
“Then replace me when things settled.”
Arthur laughed cruelly.
“You finally figured that out?”
Caleb froze.
Arthur continued:
“You manage doors because that’s what you’re good for.”
Silence.
The insult landed exactly as intended.
But something different happened this time.
Caleb did not shrink.
He looked at his father.
“Then why should I protect you?”
Arthur’s expression changed.
Caleb turned to Gabriel.
“There’s a third operations room.”
Arthur shouted:
“No.”
Every capo looked at him.
Too late.
Gabriel’s voice remained calm.
“Where?”
Caleb pointed toward the old wine wing.
“Behind the tasting cellar.”
“What’s inside?”
Caleb swallowed.
“The live archive.”
Arthur lunged from the stage.
Two capos caught him.
He struggled.
“You idiot!”
Caleb stared.
Arthur screamed:
“You stupid, ungrateful boy!”
Caleb flinched.
Then steadied.
Nero growled at Arthur.
Caleb whispered:
“That archive has copies of every recording.”
Gabriel looked at Arthur.
“And?”
Caleb’s voice dropped.
“Instructions.”
“What instructions?”
Arthur stopped struggling.
Caleb answered:
May you like
“For what each capo was supposed to do after Gabriel disappeared.”
The ballroom went completely silent.
