Chapter 47 : Origins of the Empire

The story of Duncan Mateo and Thompson Smith began long before their children, Fabio and Sophia, were even born. Their journey was one of ambition, brotherhood, and eventual corruption, rooted in a small, working-class neighborhood in the 1970s.

1970s: The Beginning

Duncan Mateo and Thompson Smith grew up in neighboring houses in a tight-knit community. Their families were close, and the boys were inseparable, sharing dreams of escaping their humble beginnings. They were both ambitious, intelligent, and determined to build a better life for themselves.

Duncan, with his charisma and charm, and Thompson, with his strategic mind, made a formidable team. After high school, they decided to go into business together. They started small, running a local convenience store, but their aspirations quickly outgrew the modest venture.

"We’re meant for bigger things," Duncan would often say, his eyes sparkling with ambition. Thompson agreed, always the quiet planner, meticulously mapping out their