“The debt is settled,” I said, my voice carrying clearly over his protests.

“I bought the debt from the holding company ten minutes ago,” I added.

“My father owes nothing to the Vitale family anymore.”

“And you?” Enzo sneered, his boots scraping against the stone. “What are you?”

“I am the owner,” I said.

The heavy iron door groaned as the guards pushed Enzo through it, his shouts fading down the damp corridor.

The room fell silent again, save for the steady dripping of water from the ceiling.

Moretti closed the ledger with a soft, heavy thud.

“You have the papers, Signorina Carter,” Moretti said, his old eyes studying my face.

“But owning the assets on paper is not the same as ruling Rome,” he added.

“I have no interest in ruling Rome,” I said.

Matteo looked at me, a flicker of surprise crossing his bruised face.

“The illegal operations will be shut down,” I continued, looking at the remaining council members.

“The legitimate real estate and the holding companies will be managed through the trust,” I said.

“And the money?” Moretti asked, his voice barely a whisper.