The terms were so simple, so brutally clean. A few thousand dollars. Just enough to survive for a short while. No territory. No claims. No rights. Nothing. A complete erasure of everything I had built, everything I had given. Every favor called in, every alliance brokered, every year spent holding together a dynasty that should have crumbled the day my father let this man through the gates of the Valente compound.
A clean exit.
I picked up the pen and signed my name in a few quick, emotionless strokes, as if I were signing off on something utterly insignificant. The scratch of the nib against parchment was the only sound in the room. Every capo, every associate, every wife and cousin pressed against the walls of that dining hall held their breath as if watching a woman sign her own death warrant.
Nico snatched the papers from my hand immediately, his eyes scanning the page. Then he let out a mocking laugh, loud and unrestrained.
"Good. Great," he said, clearly pleased. "Seraphina, you're our biggest benefactor! Thank you, for handing over the entire Valente empire just like that. My family and I will be living off your generosity for generations."