Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WITH THE DIAMOND RING
Camila arrived at the estate the next morning dressed in black silk and an expression of carefully arranged grief.
She expected a dying fiancé. Instead she found Matteo standing outside the medical wing.
“How is he?” she asked.
“Stable.”
“Has he spoken?”
“No.”
She relaxed. “Poor Vincent.”
Matteo said nothing.
Inside, Vincent watched the corridor through a concealed security feed. He had agreed with his attorney that the assault and attempted murder must be reported. The police had been notified, but the broader financial evidence was still being gathered through lawful channels.
Lorenzo appeared beside Camila.
“Romano's people are getting impatient,” he whispered.
“Then give them what they want.”
“The signatures?”
“His authorization is already in the system.”
Vincent's jaw tightened. He had never authorized the transfers.
Camila continued, “The estate physician can certify incapacity. The board will accept the emergency documents.”
Matteo stepped forward. “I will certify only what is medically true.”
Camila's expression cooled. “Then perhaps we need another physician.”
She walked away.
Vincent turned to his attorney, Elena Marquez, who sat beside the monitor.
“She's trying to seize the holdings.”
Elena nodded. “And whoever forged those authorizations has committed a crime we can prove. But Vincent, we need to discuss your own exposure.”
“I know.”
“No, I don't think you do. Your companies have been used for extortion, money laundering, and fraudulent acquisitions. You cannot present yourself as an innocent victim of a conspiracy.”
He stared at the screen.
“I never said I was innocent.”
“Then you need to decide whether you're protecting the empire or telling the truth.”
He thought of Tessa's brother in Cleveland. A bakery closed because a man with a bat demanded forty percent of its revenue.
“Find the original ownership records for the Elm district properties,” he said.
Elena raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Because we may have stolen more than money.”
That evening, Camila called Lorenzo from her car.
“Something's wrong,” she said.
“What?”
“Matteo isn't afraid.”
“Neither am I.”
“You should be.”
She glanced toward the mansion in her rearview mirror.
“Vincent's men are too calm. And that kitchen maid is in a private hospital.”
Lorenzo swore. “I thought she was dead.”
May you like
Camila's blood ran cold.
“Then you didn't finish the job.”
