Page 149 of Malicious Claim

Finally, Makros stopped a passing maid. "Where is Stefanos?"

The woman looked thoughtful for a second. Her hands tightened on the tray. "He's in the private spa room, Signore."

Makros didn't waste time, heading straight to the spa room

He found Stefanos in the jacuzzi, lying back with his arms stretched out beside him, steam twisting around him. The soft drone of the jets gave cover to Makros' approach.

Stefanos cracked one eye open, smirking lazily. "You look like hell."

Makros didn't answer. Instead, he moved closer, rolling up his sleeves.

The smirk faded.

"What now?" Stefanos muttered, shifting in the water.

Makros didn't give him a chance to react. He grabbed Stefanos by the back of the head and shoved him under.

Stefanos thrashed, bubbles breaking the surface. When Makros finally yanked him back up, he gasped for air, coughing.

"You have something to say?" Stefanos asked, breath shaking.

Makros shoved him under again.

"Did you kill Dimitri to keep him quiet?"

Stefanos came up sputtering. "Wh—what?"

Makros forced him down once more.

"Did you silence him because you're working for Vincenzo?"

This time, when Stefanos resurfaced, confusion flickered into irritation. "I don't work for Vincenzo! What the hell is this? Makros, let's talk without the drowning part."

Makros didn't push him under again, but he kept a firm grip. "You warned Dimitri that I was closing in. Don't act dumb, your key card was used to access the control room the same night I sent Dragon after him. Dimtri confirmed you called him from there. Mother fucker you tried to force yourself on my wife!"

Stefanos exhaled sharply, frustration tightening his jaw. "I admit I flirted with your wife to test her loyalty. That was personal." His gaze darkened. "But to think I'd work against my own family? Makros, how could you even think that?"

Makros' expression remained cold. "I'm closing in on you, Stefanos. Soon, I'll find dirt on you—"

Stefanos cut him off, eyes flashing with fury. "Fu— fuck you, Makros. Do your worst. But you should know, I'd never betray this family. I'm not the one who married his family's killer."

Makros' fists clenched, but he let him go.

Stefanos watched him leave, jaw tight.

Makros went straight to Leila's room.

She looked up as he entered. One glance at his face, and she knew whatever he was there for was serious business.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "Your father just abdicated power to you. Why do you look so—"

"Dimitri's dead," interrupted Makros in a subdued tone.

Leila's eyes twitched. "Okay... so, you tortured him to death?"

"No, Stefanos killed him before we could," Makros Said. "But I have no evidence."

Leila's fists clenched. "Stefanos?" she queried mildly. "So what will you do?"