Chapter 5 - The Woman Who Owned the Empire
They found Elena Marino in an underground medical facility two days later.
Alive.
Weak.
But conscious.
When Isadora entered the room, her mother began crying.
“My little girl.”
Isadora ran to her.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Elena touched her daughter's face.
“You weren't supposed to find me.”
“You left me.”
“I was trying to save you.”
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I had no choice.”
Gio remained by the doorway.
Elena looked at him.
“You look like your father.”
Gio said nothing.
“I hated him for years.”
“Why?”
“Because he trusted the wrong person.”
Her eyes moved toward the window.
“Margaretta.”
Elena nodded.
“She wanted the Rossi empire.”
“And Antonio?”
“He was the rightful heir.”
Gio's jaw tightened.
“Where is he?”
Elena looked at Isadora.
“He's the reason you were targeted.”
“Why?”
“Because Antonio gave you something.”
Isadora touched her locket.
Elena nodded.
“The accounts.”
Gio understood.
“The offshore accounts.”
Elena whispered:
“Your father hid the evidence inside the locket.”
Isadora opened it.
The tiny photograph slipped out.
Behind it was a miniature memory chip.
Gio stared.
“All this time…”
Elena closed her eyes.
“Your father knew one day the truth would need a witness.”
“And that witness was me?”
“No.”
Elena looked at Giovanni.
“It was you.”
Gio froze.
“Why me?”
May you like
“Because your father believed you were the only Rossi who could destroy the empire without becoming its next monster.”
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