*Chapter 17: Secrets Beneath the Throne*
The silence in the mansion was deafening.
Elena sat at the edge of her grand leather chair, eyes fixed on the fireplace as the flames danced like shadows of her past. She had built an empire feared by many, respected by all—but now, that empire trembled under secrets threatening to rise from the depths.
A knock shattered the silence.
"Come in," she said without turning.
It was Marco—her most trusted lieutenant. His face was grim.
"We have a problem," he said, stepping into the room cautiously.
"There's always a problem," she muttered, taking a slow sip of wine. "Speak."
Marco handed her a flash drive. "This was intercepted from a rival gang. It's a full list of your warehouses... your routes… even your family's movements."
Elena's eyes narrowed. "Impossible. Only inner circle knows this."
"That's what I thought," Marco replied. "But there's more. There's a voice recording. Someone from our side gave them this."
A traitor.
Elena stood slowly, her cold aura filling the room. "Play it."
He inserted the flash drive into the projector. The voice that came through the speakers made Elena's blood run cold—it was someone she trusted like blood.
Her sister.
Sofia.
"No..." Elena whispered, as the recording continued, revealing plans, codes, and betrayals.
Her world didn't just shake—it cracked.
"She was working with Lorenzo all along," Marco confirmed, jaw clenched. "They plan to take you out next week at the charity gala."
Elena closed her eyes. Pain twisted in her chest, but when she opened them, they burned with rage—not sorrow.
"No one betrays the Queen and lives," she said.
"Prepare the black cars. We're rewriting the ending."
As Marco turned to leave, she added coldly, "And Marco… make sure Sofia knows exactly what it feels like to betray family."
The game had changed.
And the Queen? She wasn't playing anymore.
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