Adriano went to the man's house determined to kill him. Upon arrival, he found several men waiting outside. When Adriano and his men tried to enter, they were stopped clearly to confirm that these men were loyal to the target. After a brief scuffle, the gang's soldiers retreated deliberately to give Adriano a false sense of victory.
Adriano and his men entered the house, captured the man, and tied him up. Adriano walked in, ready to end his life with his own hands.
When the man saw Adriano, he panicked and said: "What's going on, Mr. Adriano? Why have you barged into my house like this?"
Adriano, in a harsh voice, replied: "You're the one who did it, you scum. You kidnapped Maria and tortured her. And when I came to save her, you tried to kill me too. Now I've found you, and I'll kill you No, I won't kill you quickly I'll torture you to death."
The man, trembling, said: "I didn't do anything, Mr. Adriano. I wouldn't even dare harm Miss Maria. If you don't believe me, ask Mr. Francesco he'll tell you I have nothing to do with this."
Adriano didn't believe him and said: "I'm not stupid enough to fall for that."
He then ordered his men to torture the man until he confessed. But after a long time of torture and no confession, Adriano pulled out his weapon and shot the man dead without mercy, then left with his men, leaving the corpse behind.
A few hours later, the man's wife returned home. Upon seeing her husband's dead body, she screamed in horror and fainted. News of the murder spread quickly across the district.
At the Altieri palace, while everyone sat quietly, one of Francesco's men entered and informed him of the murder. Francesco erupted in rage and shouted: "Have you found out who did it?"
Adriano interrupted, saying: "I'm the one who killed him."
Francesco, furious, asked: "What made you kill him, Adriano?!"
Adriano replied: "He was the one who kidnapped Maria I was sure of it. I've been tracking who enters and exits the district for a while. Those same men who fit the kidnappers' description were seen going to his house. I didn't intend to kill him at first, but when he refused to confess, I lost patience and killed him."
Adriano waited for praise, convinced he'd done something right. But instead, Francesco screamed at him: "You fool! That man had nothing to do with this! He was incredibly important to me we were about to sign a very critical deal. And now, because of your stupidity, it's all ruined!"
Adriano, panicked, said: "I didn't know… I'm really stupid. I didn't mean for this to happen, I just wanted"
Maria cut him off: "You just wanted to feed your ego, to cover up your failure when you ran and left me behind. As always, you only care about yourself. I hate you so much. Don't expect me to ever marry you. It's over, Adriano now everyone sees who you really are."
Francesco interrupted: "That's enough, Maria. And you, Adriano didn't I tell you not to act without my permission? I've had enough. Leave the palace, and don't come back. Forget this was ever your home."
Adriano stood frozen, speechless. He packed his things and left the palace in silence.
Maria was stunned by her father's harsh decision, but deep inside, she felt immense joy Adriano was finally out of her life forever.
Still, she couldn't help but wonder why her father truly acted that way. She realized it wasn't because Adriano killed an innocent man it was because he ruined the deal. That's when Maria knew Matteo had been right all along: her father only cared about his own interests, and if anyone stood in his way, he'd dispose of them.
To be continued...