Chapter 9 - THE FINAL CONFRONTATION
Off the coast of Long Island, violent waves battered Salvator's private yacht.
Inside the control cabin, Salvator sat in his wheelchair, glaring at the digital countdown timer on a remote detonation device. Three minutes left.
"Adrien Moretti," Salvator cackled bitterly. "Did you really think you could live a peaceful life? Did you think you could wash the blood from your hands? I will reduce your redemption to ashes."
Suddenly, a deafening blast rocked the stern of the yacht. A high-powered speedboat had rammed directly into the hull.
Adrien Moretti stepped through the smoke, weapons drawn, his eyes burning with absolute resolve. He advanced into the control cabin step by step.
Salvator's remaining guards opened fire, but Adrien moved with lethal precision. Shots echoed in rapid succession, and one by one, the mercenaries fell.
Finally, only Adrien and Salvator remained in the cabin.
The countdown timer read 45 seconds.
"You're too late, Moretti!" Salvator screamed, his trembling finger hovering over the red detonation button. "I press this, and your precious foundation crumbles! You will never have your peace!"
Adrien stopped advancing. He didn't raise his weapon. Instead, he looked at the broken man in the wheelchair with an expression Salvator had never expected—pity.
"I feel sorry for you, Salvator," Adrien said, his voice eerily calm. "You spent your whole life consumed by hatred, believing that destruction would make you whole."
"Shut up!" Salvator shrieked, slamming his finger down.
CRACK!
A single sniper round shattered the cabin window, striking Salvator's hand a millisecond before his finger made contact with the button. The detonator tumbled across the floor.
Hovering outside in a tactical helicopter, Nico lowered his rifle.
Adrien walked forward, picked up the detonator, and disarmed the sequence. The clock froze at 00:03.
Salvator collapsed to the floor, clutching his bleeding hand, gasping for air. "Shoot me... Shoot me, Moretti! Finish it!"
Adrien looked down at him, slowly holstering his weapon.
"I won't kill you," Adrien said quietly. "The Coast Guard is already on their way. You will spend the rest of your days in a windowless cell, consumed by your own bitterness. That is your real punishment."
Adrien turned his back and walked away, stepping off the sinking yacht.
May you like
As he boarded Nico's helicopter, the morning sun broke through the horizon, scattering the storm clouds. The ocean below glistened like gold.
The war was finally over.
