Chapter 5 - THE SILVER THAT WASN'T JUST SILVER
The twelve antique silver pieces had belonged to Gabriel's grandmother.
Each carried the Romano crest.
They were valuable.
But their importance went beyond money.
The collection had been passed down through generations.
And hidden inside one serving tray was a small compartment.
Gabriel discovered it while examining the restored silver with a conservator.
The compartment contained a folded document.
Old.
Yellowed.
Sealed in wax.
Evelyn Price carefully opened it.
Inside was a handwritten list of names and dates.
Several belonged to companies involved in the Romano family's former business operations.
Others were unfamiliar.
Gabriel frowned.
“What is this?”
Evelyn studied the page.
“Possibly a record of transactions.”
Marco looked closer.
One name stood out.
Vittorio Romano.
The document suggested that Vittorio had been involved in a disputed property transfer decades earlier.
The transfer concerned land once owned by Bennett Construction's original partners.
Gabriel stared.
“Bennett?”
Evelyn nodded.
“Your wife's family.”
The discovery changed everything.
The silver hadn't been stolen merely for its value.
Someone had been trying to remove evidence hidden inside it.
That evening, Gabriel came to my room.
He knocked.
“Catherine?”
I opened the door.
He looked troubled.
“Can we talk?”
I nodded.
We sat beside the fireplace.
He showed me a copy of the document.
I stared.
“My grandfather's name.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Daniel Bennett.”
My hands trembled.
“He died when I was sixteen.”
Gabriel looked at me.
“Did he ever mention Vittorio?”
I thought.
Then remembered something.
“My father once said Grandpa had a business partner who betrayed him.”
Gabriel leaned forward.
“Did he say who?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
Gabriel looked down.
“Catherine, I think the silver is connected to your family's history.”
I stared at him.
“And someone hurt me because I found it.”
May you like
He nodded.
For the first time, I understood that the danger surrounding the wedding had begun long before I married Gabriel.
