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“You’re a fool!”

Walter turned away, unable to face his father’s rage.

It was a beautiful home where he lived. It would be a shame to lose it. Still, if that is what it took to win Selena over, Walter was prepared to give it up.

“Did you hear what I said? You’re a fool to think that woman cares about you! I know all about her kind. All she cares about is what she can get out of you. Namely, our money!”

The two men glared at each other across the wooden table where they sat.

“That’s true, isn’t it son?”

“No, no, I don’t think Selena would do that.”

“You don’t think at all! That’s your whole problem!” Bruno slammed a massive fist onto the table, collapsing the wooden ship that sat upon it. “It’s high time for you to start using your head!”

“But!”

“But nothing! I won’t allow you to take what our family has worked their entire lives for and give it to some addled French tart!”

“I wasn’t going to give her anything!”

“You were going to marry that woman, that’s enough!”

“Father, I’ve worked for you my entire life! I think I deserve a little more respect!” Walter stood, gripping the edge of the table in a vain attempt to restrain his rage.

“You’ll get all the respect you deserve.” Bruno took a moment to twirl the mustache at his fingertips. “You’re right about one thing though. You’ve worked for me your entire life. I think it’s time for you to make a choice.”

“Alright.”

“We’ve got a big day tomorrow. We need that gold shipment if we want the bank to survive.”

Bruno was the classic picture of a German businessman. Straight. Dignified. A tone of voice that was all business and no-nonsense.

“I’ll be there.”

“Good. ” Bruno stood, towering over the slender figure of his young son. “And after we’ve unloaded the gold. After we’ve safely stored it away in our bank, after you’ve seen for yourself everything this family has to offer you, I want to hear your answer. Will you take the bank and all that it has to offer you?”

“I think I understand where this…”

“Be quiet! Or will you exchange all that gold, all that being a member of this family has to offer to you, for the dirty hand of that French whore?”

“Father, she isn’t what you think she is!”

“Really? I could tell you a few things about that, but I won’t. I will say this. Think carefully before you give me your answer. You won’t have another chance.”

With that, Walter rose and stormed from the room. Slamming the door behind him.

“Until tomorrow then.” Bruno pulled a cigar from a pocket on his suit and lit it with the air of a man who was used to being in complete control.

He sat and inhaled the tobacco, exhaling the smoke with obvious pleasure.

Tomorrow should be an interesting day.

Very interesting.