The room remained silent after Elena's words.
"…the people behind Orlov have finally arrived."
No one moved for several seconds.
Then Adrian slowly leaned forward and rubbed his face.
"Please tell me we're not starting another war already."
Luca crossed his arms.
"If those ships belong to who I think they do…"
He looked toward Elena.
"…then yes."
Alessandro studied the frozen image on the tablet screen.
The mysterious man standing on the harbor dock.
The ring on his finger.
The strange symbol engraved into the metal.
"Explain," Alessandro said quietly.
The Symbol
Elena took the tablet and enlarged the image.
The ring's symbol filled the screen.
A black crest shaped like a serpent circling a crown.
Adrian frowned.
"That looks expensive."
Valentina shook her head.
"It's worse than that."
Elena nodded.
"Yes."
She placed the tablet back on the table.
"My father kept records hidden inside his office."
Luca raised an eyebrow.
"The man who raised you?"
"Yes."
"He wasn't just a shipping manager."
Alessandro nodded.
"I know."
"He worked with our network."
"Yes."
"But he also investigated something."
Adrian groaned.
"I don't like that word."
The Secret Files
Elena continued.
"Two years before he died, he started collecting information."
"About who?" Alessandro asked.
"About an organization."
The tension in the room grew heavier.
"A group powerful enough to control governments, wars, and criminal empires."
Adrian blinked.
"Oh great."
"Secret rich villains."
"My favorite."
Elena ignored the joke.
"They call themselves The Crown Syndicate."
The name hung in the air like a storm cloud.
Luca's Reaction
Luca's expression darkened.
"I've heard of them."
Everyone turned to him.
Adrian looked surprised.
"You have?"
Luca nodded slowly.
"Only rumors."
"They're not like normal crime families."
Valentina added quietly,
"They operate above them."
Alessandro leaned back slightly.
"How powerful?"
Luca answered simply.
"Powerful enough to create men like Orlov."
The Truth About Orlov
Elena folded her arms.
"Orlov wasn't the real threat."
Adrian sighed.
"Of course he wasn't."
"He was just one of their commanders."
The room fell silent again.
Alessandro's eyes hardened.
"So killing him didn't end the war."
"No," Elena said quietly.
"It only got their attention."
At the Harbor
Meanwhile, across the city—
The ships had fully docked.
Hundreds of armed men unloaded crates and equipment from the cargo holds.
Inside one of the containers was a temporary command center.
Maps of the city covered the walls.
Security footage of the De Luca headquarters played on several screens.
The mysterious man from the ship stepped inside.
A soldier saluted him.
"Commander."
The man removed his gloves slowly.
"Report."
"Local crime families are already submitting to the De Luca empire."
"And Alessandro De Luca?"
"He controls everything."
The man smiled faintly.
"Impressive."
The New Villain
Another soldier approached cautiously.
"What are your orders?"
The man walked toward the large window overlooking the harbor.
The city skyline glittered in the distance.
"That city believes it has a king."
He paused.
"But kings fall."
The soldier hesitated.
"Should we attack the De Luca estate?"
The man shook his head.
"No."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Strategic.
"We don't destroy empires."
"We take them."
Back at the Mansion
Inside the De Luca headquarters, the meeting continued.
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
"So let me summarize."
"Some secret billionaire mafia club created Orlov…"
"Yes," Elena confirmed.
"And now they've sent a replacement?"
"Yes."
Adrian sighed dramatically.
"Fantastic."
Luca looked toward Alessandro.
"What's the plan?"
Alessandro stood slowly.
The room went quiet instantly.
His presence alone demanded attention.
"If they want our empire…"
He looked toward Elena.
"…they'll have to take it from us."
Elena nodded.
"And we'll be ready."
The First Move
Valentina's tablet suddenly beeped.
She checked the screen quickly.
Her expression changed.
"That was fast."
Adrian frowned.
"What now?"
Valentina turned the screen toward them.
Satellite images filled the display.
More ships entering the harbor.
Not two.
Not five.
But dozens.
Adrian's eyes widened.
"…that's an invasion."
Luca muttered,
"They didn't come to negotiate."
Alessandro's voice turned cold.
"Good."
Everyone looked at him.
"Because neither did we."
The Enemy Speaks
At that exact moment—
Every screen in the room flickered.
Security systems.
Phones.
Televisions.
All turning on at once.
A video feed appeared.
The mysterious man from the harbor stood in front of the camera.
Elena's heart skipped.
He looked straight into the lens.
Straight at them.
"Good evening, Alessandro De Luca."
The room went deadly quiet.
"My name is Sebastian Virelli."
Adrian muttered,
"That sounds expensive."
Sebastian smiled slightly.
"And I have come to take your empire."