Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO WANTED HER DEAD
The breakthrough came from a former Blackthorn employee.
He agreed to speak with investigators.
He described surveillance assignments involving Serena.
He also identified a payment connected to an intermediary working with Lorenzo Duca.
The evidence was incomplete.
But it was enough to intensify the investigation.
Serena sat in Naomi's office as the details were explained.
“Was the two-million-dollar offer real?”
Naomi looked at her carefully.
“The evidence suggests there was a solicitation. Investigators are working to establish who authorized it and whether anyone acted on it.”
Serena closed her eyes.
“Lorenzo.”
“We shouldn't assume until the evidence supports it.”
She nodded.
“I know.”
But deep down, she feared the answer.
That evening, Alexander called.
“Serena, I need to tell you something.”
She looked up from her laptop.
“What?”
“I wasn't completely honest about the balcony.”
Her stomach tightened.
“What do you mean?”
He hesitated.
“I knew about the threat before Roman did.”
Serena went still.
“How?”
“A source contacted my nonprofit's compliance team about suspicious payments. I followed the lead.”
She stared.
“And you were there that night?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Alexander sighed.
“I thought I could identify the people involved without frightening you.”
Serena laughed bitterly.
“Another man deciding what I should know.”
He went silent.
Then said, “You're right.”
She closed her eyes.
Alexander continued.
“I should have told you. I'm sorry.”
Serena took a breath.
“Did you have anything to do with the threat?”
“No.”
“Can you prove it?”
“I can provide the records and cooperate with investigators.”
She nodded.
“Then do that.”
After the call, Serena sat alone.
She thought about Roman.
Alexander.
Lorenzo.
All the men who had made decisions around her.
For her.
About her.
Without her.
Then she opened her notebook.
On a blank page, she wrote:
I am not a problem to be managed.
May you like
She underlined the sentence.
Twice.
