CHAPTER 305

YEARS LATER...

Ellis Barker fixed her gaze on Angelo Messina, awaiting a response that seemed to linger in the air, stirring the atmosphere with palpable tension. Her tone was imbued with a cautious intensity as she once again questioned Messina about his betrayal on the night of Jason Barker's murder.

The Commission leader averted his gaze for a moment, as if lost in disturbing memories, before turning back to Ellis with a cold yet meaningful expression.

“It's not about betrayal, Ellis,” Messina said, his seriousness resonating in his voice. “It's about choosing the less harmful path.”

Ellis frowned, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “And how did this 'lesser harmful' choice lead to Jason's murder?”

Messina approached slowly, choosing his words carefully. “Jason was just collateral damage, you know. And Vittorio... Choosing between my son and Vittorio wasn't a choice. It was always going to be Matthew, as Vittorio would eventually become a problem.”

“You mean Vittorio was an obstacle. A danger to your interests?” Ellis inquired, seeking to unravel the truth behind Messina's words.

“Vittorio didn't understand there were limits to what could or couldn't be done. He didn't want to get involved in matters beyond his scope. He was limited,” Messina explained, his eyes revealing a mix of remorse and determination.

“So you saw him as a hindrance. A threat to your interests?” Ellis continued, trying to uncover the underlying justification.

Messina seemed to carefully consider his next words before responding. “Sometimes, sacrifices need to be made to ensure balance and order. I tried to handle things less drastically, but the Petrov put me on a path with few alternatives.”

Ellis stared at Messina with an expression denoting a mix of distrust and bewilderment. She hadn't expected the justifications to be so nuanced. “So, you made a decision in the name of a greater order?”

“Exactly,” Messina confirmed, his voice maintaining a calculated serenity. “Sometimes, to prevent chaos from setting in, we need to let go of certain things.”

Messina's explanation was enigmatic and didn't fully satisfy Ellis's doubts. She pondered his words for a moment as silence filled the room.

“Your idea of order is quite... flexible, isn't it?” Ellis questioned, making it clear that Messina's response wasn't enough to dispel her doubts.

“I believe that, in the world we live in, flexibility is a necessity,” Messina replied, with a certain resignation in his voice.

Messina's response didn't bring comfort to Ellis, who felt a mix of anger and pain. “You made the decision to take Vittorio's life without giving him the opportunity to help or prevent it? A decision that cost Jason his life.”

Messina lowered his gaze for a moment, seeming to reflect on the depth of the consequences of his actions. “Ellis, at that moment, I needed to act swiftly, without hesitation. The world we live in is cruel, and the decisions we make are not always easy.”

The tension in the room reached its peak, reflecting the conflicting emotions between Ellis and Messina. The weight of betrayal hung over them, and the truth exposed did not dissipate the pain that night had caused.

“You speak of a cruel world, Angelo, but do you really believe that this justification absolves you of all the pain you caused?” Ellis questioned, her words filled with bitterness.

Messina maintained a serious gaze, acknowledging that his actions had left irreparable scars. “I'm not seeking redemption, Ellis. I'm just clarifying my role in this game.”

Ellis, with a firm tone, broke the silence: “I'm glad to know that you're not seeking redemption for what you did, Angelo. I won't have to feel sorry for you.”

Perplexity was evident on Messina's face. “What do you mean?” he asked, seeking to understand the nuances of Ellis's words.

Before Ellis could respond, a bang echoed from outside. Messina instinctively moved towards the door to find out what was happening. A cunning smile crossed Ellis's face as she spoke:

“If I were you, I wouldn't go there, for your own safety.”

“Do you know what's happening?” Messina inquired.

“It's obvious,” replied Ellis calmly. “You requested them when we arrived in Kurgan, remember?”

Messina nodded, connecting the dots. “The associates of the Amorielle family.”

Ellis agreed but added, “Probably, the Black Axe men from Kenji Ito, Oyabun Inagawa, Heinrich Müller, and Charles Dubois are also here. Besides Vittorio's other partners and Commission members who are currently doing the same against your businesses.”

Messina laughed, as if believing it to be absurd. “You're bluffing. The Commission families would never get involved in this fight against their own president.”

Ellis raised an eyebrow and revealed the surprising truth. “I forgot to tell you. You are no longer the president of the Commission, Angelo. The new president is Alessandro Amorielle.”

Messina's expression changed instantly. He stared at Ellis, perplexed, and asked, “Alessandro? What do you mean?”

Ellis, with an enigmatic smile, explained, “It seems things changed faster than you imagined. You are no longer the man in charge, Angelo. Alessandro Amorielle has taken your place.”

He looked at Ellis Barker with a mixture of surprise and disbelief, as if the information were an elaborate provocation to test his reaction.

“You're joking, right?” Messina's voice sounded hesitant, seeking some confirmation or denial amid this unexpected revelation.

Ellis remained calm, maintaining a steady gaze. “I'm not joking, Angelo. Alessandro has taken the position of president. And he is using all available resources to ensure that the Commission families align with the interests of the Amorielle family.”

The confusion on Messina's face was evident as he tried to process the new reality unfolding. “How did this happen?”

Ellis sighed. “How do I explain... I asked to become Donna and also remove you from the position of president. To unite my family, I granted Alessandro a seat on the Commission. He has my support and is moving quickly to make sure we put an end to this.”

An expression of disbelief appeared on Messina's face. “You betrayed me... how long have you been planning this?”

Ellis shook her head in understanding. “Probably since I woke up after what happened in the warehouse. Rang Bone helped me research Jácomo Grecco, and things always collided with the Russians, and then, boom, I realized they could only be relatives. And, of course, there was only one person who connected the Petrov and the Greccos. You. Of course, it wasn't as simple as defeating you; I knew it wouldn't happen overnight. What's happening now is the result of a series of strategic moves that have been in play for a long time. I needed to get here, and I did thanks to you.”

The bang outside echoed again, interrupting the dialogue for a moment. Messina now seemed more attentive to the situation. “They're attacking,” he said, in a worried tone.

Ellis nodded. “Exactly. Everyone is fighting for control, and you're in the middle of it all. In fact, you're the reason for all of this.”

Messina approached the window, assessing the situation outside. “What do you intend to do, Ellis?”

Ellis stood up, remaining calm. “I intend to get revenge on you, Messina.”