Magic Academy's Bastard Instructor

Chapter 82: Refrain from Deletion [2]

Chapter 82: Refrain from Deletion [2]

Vanitas was certain Luca had pinned the blame on him. Between the words of a right-hand man and a partner, who would Vincenzo trust more?

Of course, it would be the right-hand man. Convincing Vincenzo was out of the question.

But was Luca an idiot?

The Astreas were an important partner to the Gambino Family. To risk that partnership for the love of a woman ten years younger than him—it was foolish.

Loyalty to the Gambinos should come first.

Now that he thought about it, this didn't feel like something Luca would do.

Was someone trying to sow discord?

"Ah."

Vanitas looked up. Maybe he was overthinking it. Years of experiences as Chae Eun-woo had taught him to overanalyze situations, seeing conspiracies where there might be none.

But still….

"I think I get it."

***

Furious but still open to negotiation, Vincenzo Gambino stared out the window.

An information leak. Luca had suggested who the culprit might be—Vanitas Astrea.

In response, Vincenzo had sent a black hand letter—a clear warning—and demanded Vanitas show up within the week to defend himself.

Typically, such a threat would compel immediate action. But Vanitas had done the opposite.

He hadn't shown up at all.

Instead, he remained holed up in the University Tower, as if distancing himself from the accusation entirely.

To Vincenzo, that silence was as good as an admission of guilt.

"Orders, Boss?" Luca asked, anger evident in his tone. 

He hadn't expected betrayal from someone the family had treated like their own.

Vincenzo turned slowly. "That matter is secondary right now."

Luca blinked, caught off guard. "Boss?"

"My daughter's life is the priority," Vincenzo said. "Split the search. Have one crew track Astrea. Put our best chasers on it."