"To him, you died as a father in that moment. The only reason he still listens to you now is that his heart is fragile... and he still respects you as a father, not because he truly wants to."

Adrian’s father’s face turned a deep shade of red. "You know nothing of our history."

"I know enough to understand that a father who truly loves his son would never abandon him... no matter the reason," Matteo said, his voice cutting through the tension in the room.

"You only know the version he chose to tell you!" Adrian’s father snapped, his composure finally cracking.

"I know enough because I trust him," Matteo countered, stepping closer. "If your other sons were old enough to marry Iris, you wouldn’t even care about Adrian. He’s not even part of the family you present to the world."

"The news says you have three children Maya and your other two sons. You’ve never once admitted there’s a fourth."

"You only want him now because he’s useful to you... to secure your position, to protect your power, not because you love him. You want him to marry Iris for your own benefit, not his. This isn’t about his future... It’s about yours."

Adrian’s father narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You think you’re better than me? In this world, power is the only thing that keeps people like us safe. Yes, I am using Adrian, but it’s to ensure this family’s survival. If he marries Iris, her family’s influence becomes his shield."

He leaned forward, looking straight at Matteo with a mocking pity. "What can you offer him? A hidden life? A future where he’s always looking over his shoulder, waiting for the shadows to catch up to him?"

Matteo shook his head. "Did you ever ask him if that’s the kind of life he wants?" he said. "Do you even know what makes him happy? You keep talking about protection, power... but you’ve never once talked about what he feels. He doesn’t love Iris. You know that. He doesn’t want that life."

He paused, then continued.

"What can I give him?"

"A life where he can be himself. Where he doesn’t have to pretend to survive. Where he’s not being used like a tool for your plans."

Matteo’s eyes hardened. "I’ll stand in front of him when things get hard. I’ll protect him my own way. I won’t trade his happiness for power. And most importantly... I love him. That’s something you can’t force, and something money or power can’t replace."

Adrian’s father let out a cold breath. "Fine. If you want to be stubborn, don’t blame me for what happens next."

Matteo looked at him.

"What will you do?" he asked. "You said if I don’t leave your son alone, you’ll put me in jail. We both know you wouldn’t dare. It’s not that you don’t have the power... but you don’t have the courage to face what will come after. If you try to touch me, my father will come for you, and he won’t stop until you’re the one behind bars. So don’t play with fire... and stop threatening my man."

"Your man?" Adrian’s father sneered, his face contorting. "Have you no shame? Adrian is just confused. You’ve scared him into wanting you; you’ve forced him to stay. Let go of my son. He is a man who deserves a beautiful wife and a family, a child to replace the years of life he lost."

"He’s not like you," Matteo said. "He’s not looking for a ’replacement’ for his past. And for the record, I’ve never forced him. He chose me on his own."

"If he truly loved Iris and wanted to marry her, I would walk away right now without a fight. But he doesn’t want that life... so stop trying to force it on him."

Adrian’s father said, "There’s no way my son will end up with you, Matteo. I’ll do everything in my power to destroy you... and whatever you have with him."

Matteo smirked. "Fine. If you think you have the power to destroy me, then bring it on. But remember, we have your secrets too. We know about the deals you’ve made behind closed doors... the things you’ve done to stay in power. If you come for me, I’ll make sure everything is exposed, and you’ll fall from that position you’re so desperate to protect. So ask yourself, is your ego worth your reputation... and your freedom?"

Adrian’s father slammed his hand onto the desk, his face contorting with rage. "How dare you talk to me like that?" he snapped. "How dare you stand in front of me and speak this way? Your father didn’t raise you well. That’s why your mother abandoned you."

Matteo’s eyes darkened. "My mother didn’t leave me because I was worthless," he said coldly. "She left because I refused to obey her. That’s different. Adrian is still young, still innocent, and he listens to you... Yet you’re the one who sent him away because you see him as a curse... as if he’s worthless."

"My father never abandoned me. He stood by me, no matter what. That’s what a real father does... not someone who throws his child away."

That was the breaking point.

Adrian’s father’s face twisted with rage. Without another word, he reached for his gun.

Matteo showed no fear. He stood there, unmoving.

The movement was sudden, fast enough to turn the room cold.

He pointed the gun at Matteo.

Not to kill... but to warn.

But the trigger was pulled.

The gunshot rang out.

The bullet didn’t hit Matteo directly, but it grazed his arm as it passed. He flinched, a sharp breath escaping him as the pain hit. Blood immediately began to flow, staining his sleeve.

For a moment, everything froze.

Then the door burst open.

Matteo’s men rushed in, guns raised.

At the same time, Adrian’s father’s security reacted, lifting their weapons as well.

The room turned into a standoff.

But Matteo raised his hand.

"Lower your weapons," he said.

His men hesitated for a second, then obeyed.

Matteo looked back at Adrian’s father, his eyes cold even as blood ran down his arm. He gripped the wound, the pain making his resolve stronger.

"I’ll make sure you pay for what you just did to me," he said quietly. "Not just for this... but for making Adrian believe he’s a curse."

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the office, his men closing in around him as they made a swift, tense exit from the estate.

The moment they stepped outside, the tension didn’t ease.

Matteo kept walking until he reached the car, his sleeve soaked with blood.

Harry rushed forward and opened the door for him.

The other bodyguard stayed close, alert, eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Boss, hold still," Harry said, already pulling out a first-aid kit. He quickly tore open Matteo’s sleeve to get to the wound.

Blood continued to flow, but Harry stayed calm. He pressed a cloth against it and worked fast.

"It’s just a graze," he said. "A little deep, but not serious. You should still let a doctor check it later."

"Just do it," Matteo snapped. "Dress it."

Harry nodded and continued, wrapping the bandage tightly around the wound until the bleeding slowed.

Matteo held the pain in, his jaw tightening.

"You dared to shoot at me..." Matteo said coldly. "Be thankful I love your son... or by tomorrow, they’d be preparing your funeral."

Once the wound was properly dressed, Matteo leaned back into the seat.

Harry closed the door.

The rest of the men got into the car quickly.

"Drive," Matteo commanded.

The driver pulled away immediately, and they left Grayson’s estate behind.

Matteo didn’t head straight to the mansion where Adrian was waiting. Instead, he directed his driver to one of his more secluded properties to give himself time to recover and handle the wound properly.

Before they even arrived, Matteo had already told Harry to call his personal doctor and send him the address.

Not long after they got there, the doctor arrived.

He went straight to Matteo’s room.