Chapter 10 - THE BROTHER WHO TRIED TO SAVE HER
The documents revealed that Luca Vital had discovered Victor Bellamy's illegal operations years before his death.
He had worked with Miriam Vale to collect evidence.
But the archive was incomplete.
Luca had learned that Victor planned to use his own daughter as a future figurehead for the foundation.
Sophia had been only eight years old.
Luca feared Victor would eventually force her into the scheme.
So he created a plan.
A hidden archive.
A coded melody.
A message.
If Sophia ever returned to the blue room, she would find the evidence.
Mateo read the documents in silence.
His hands shook.
For seventeen years, he'd believed Luca had died because he was reckless.
Now he understood.
His brother had been trying to protect a child.
Sophia looked at him.
“I'm sorry.”
Mateo shook his head.
“Don't.”
She swallowed.
“If my father—”
“Your father made his choices.”
Mateo looked at the note again.
“My brother made his.”
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Mateo stood.
“We take this to the authorities.”
Sophia nodded.
But when they returned to Manhattan, a message waited.
It had been delivered to Mateo's private office.
No return address.
Just a photograph.
Sophia entering the Connecticut estate.
On the back:
You found the room. Now bring my daughter home.
Mateo stared at the words.
Then looked at Dominic.
“Victor knows.”
Dominic nodded.
May you like
Mateo folded the photograph.
“Then it's time we stopped hiding.”
