The explosion echoed through the stormy night.
From the penthouse windows, Elena watched as flames consumed what used to be her car.
Orange fire reflected across the rain-soaked pavement below while thick black smoke rose into the sky.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Then Elena exhaled slowly.
"Well…"
She pointed toward the burning wreck.
"…there goes my ride."
Adrian stared at her.
"That's your reaction?"
"What else should I say?" she replied.
She turned toward Alessandro.
"Does your insurance cover revenge explosions?"
The restrained messenger laughed quietly again.
Alessandro's gaze snapped toward him instantly.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"You think this is funny?"
The man shrugged.
"I'm just delivering the message."
Adrian stepped forward.
"You're lucky you're still breathing."
The messenger tilted his head slightly.
"Marcus said you'd react like this."
Elena groaned.
"Oh great, we're predictable now."
Outside, sirens began approaching as security teams rushed toward the burning car.
Inside the penthouse, tension filled the room.
Alessandro stepped closer to the messenger.
"Tell me where he is."
The man smiled.
"I can't."
"You won't."
"Both."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"You realize you're trespassing in the home of a very dangerous man."
The messenger's smile didn't disappear.
"That's the point."
Elena stared at him.
"You're either very brave or very stupid."
"Neither."
He looked directly at Alessandro.
"I'm loyal."
Silence.
Alessandro studied the man carefully.
Then he spoke calmly.
"Adrian."
"Yes."
"Check him."
The guards immediately began searching the messenger.
Wallet.
Phone.
Pockets.
Nothing unusual.
Then one guard froze.
"Sir…"
He held up something small.
A black envelope.
The guard handed it to Alessandro.
The messenger chuckled again.
"That's the real message."
Elena leaned closer.
"Open it."
Alessandro slowly tore the envelope open.
Inside was a single photograph.
For a moment, Alessandro's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Elena noticed.
"What is it?"
He turned the photo toward them.
Elena's eyes widened.
It was a picture of her.
But not from the gala.
Not from tonight.
It was taken earlier that day.
Outside the Romano building.
From across the street.
Adrian frowned.
"That's impossible."
Elena crossed her arms.
"He's been watching me all day?"
The messenger spoke again.
"Not just today."
Elena felt a small chill.
"What do you mean?"
The man smiled slightly.
"Marcus has been studying you."
Adrian's voice hardened.
"For how long?"
The messenger looked toward Elena again.
"Long enough to know your routines."
Elena's expression darkened.
"That's disturbing."
Alessandro suddenly stepped forward.
"Enough games."
His voice was cold.
"You delivered the message."
"Yes."
"Now deliver something useful."
The messenger shrugged.
"I don't have anything else."
Alessandro stared at him silently.
Then he turned to the guards.
"Take him downstairs."
The messenger raised an eyebrow.
"Where?"
"To the security room."
Adrian smirked slightly.
"Let's see how loyal you are after a few hours of questioning."
The guards pulled him toward the elevator.
But before the doors closed, the messenger looked back at Elena.
And said something quietly.
"Be careful."
Elena frowned.
"That's an odd warning coming from the enemy."
The elevator doors closed.
Silence returned to the penthouse.
Outside, the burning car was finally being extinguished by security teams.
Adrian ran a hand through his hair.
"This is getting complicated."
Elena sat down on the couch.
"Your life was already complicated."
He sighed.
"Fair point."
Alessandro stood quietly near the table, still holding the photograph.
Elena watched him.
"You're thinking about something."
"Yes."
"What?"
Alessandro looked at the photo again.
Then at her.
"He knew exactly where you would be today."
"That's because I live here."
"No."
He shook his head slightly.
"This was taken before the wedding announcement."
Elena blinked.
"Wait."
Adrian suddenly looked up.
"You're right."
Elena sat forward.
"So he was already watching me before I even married you?"
Silence.
Adrian slowly nodded.
"That's what it looks like."
Elena frowned deeply.
"That makes zero sense."
Alessandro's voice turned quieter.
"Unless…"
Adrian finished the sentence.
"…unless you were always part of the plan."
Elena stared at them.
"You're saying Marcus targeted me before the marriage?"
"Yes."
"But why?"
Neither of them had an answer.
The rain continued pouring outside.
Finally Elena stood up again and walked toward the window.
She stared down at the blackened remains of her car.
"This guy is obsessed."
Adrian nodded.
"Possibly."
She turned toward Alessandro.
"So what's the next step in this revenge war?"
His eyes were colder than before.
"We find him."
"And then?"
"We end it."
Adrian sighed.
"That won't be easy."
Alessandro looked toward the dark city skyline.
"It never is."
At that exact moment—
Adrian's tablet beeped again.
Another message.
Another unknown number.
Elena groaned.
"Oh look."
"The ghost texted again."
Adrian opened the message.
Then froze.
"What?"
He slowly turned the screen toward them.
It was another photo.
But this one made Elena's blood run cold.
It showed the Romano penthouse.
From outside.
From another building across the street.
The angle was high.
Like it was taken from a sniper's position.
And in the center of the photo…
Elena was visible standing near the window.
The message below read:
"Don't stand so close to the glass."
Elena slowly stepped away from the window.
Her heart beating faster.
Adrian looked toward Alessandro.
"He has a sniper."
Alessandro's voice became deadly calm.
"Lock down the building."
Outside the storm raged harder.
And somewhere in the dark city…
Marcus Virelli was watching.
Waiting for his next move.