Chapter 7 - THE SECOND TRAITOR
Nicholas Vale had served Alessandro for twelve years.
He had protected him through shootings, threats, and betrayals.
He was the one man Alessandro trusted with his life.
Now his credentials appeared in the compromised security logs.
Alessandro stared at the report.
“Explain.”
Nicholas looked shocked.
“I didn't authorize this.”
Alessandro watched him.
“Then who did?”
Nicholas shook his head.
“I don't know.”
The evidence was troubling.
The account had accessed the security system shortly before Vincent entered the kitchen.
It had also opened a restricted door leading toward the private elevator.
Alessandro felt anger rise.
But he remembered Emma.
The child who had noticed details without understanding their meaning.
He forced himself to slow down.
“Could someone have copied your credentials?”
Nicholas nodded.
“Possibly.”
“Then prove it.”
An independent digital forensics team examined the system.
They discovered that Nicholas's credentials had been duplicated through an old administrative backup.
The backup had been accessed from Vincent's workstation.
Nicholas was cleared of direct involvement in the suspicious access.
But the investigation revealed another problem.
Vincent had been collecting information on everyone close to Alessandro.
Including Nicholas.
Including Sophia.
Including Emma.
Alessandro looked at the photographs.
He felt sick.
That evening, Sophia found him sitting alone.
“Mr. Moretti?”
He looked up.
She hesitated.
“Are you all right?”
He smiled bitterly.
“Not particularly.”
Sophia sat across from him.
“Emma says you need more flowers.”
He laughed softly.
“Does she?”
“She says one butterfly isn't enough.”
Alessandro looked at her.
Then asked:
“Why aren't you afraid of me?”
Sophia considered.
“I am.”
His smile faded.
She continued.
“But I'm beginning to think you're afraid, too.”
He looked away.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Alessandro whispered:
May you like
“Yes.”
It was the first time in years he had admitted it aloud.
