Chapter 18 - The Trap at the Winter Garden|
Isabella refused to hide.
“If Vittorio wants to frighten me, he should have tried thirty years ago,” she declared.
Massimo disagreed.
“He has already threatened Sophie and Clara. I won't let him get near you.”
“You cannot protect everyone by locking them indoors.”
Sophie recognized the argument immediately.
“She's right.”
Massimo looked at her.
“Of course you would say that.”
“Because it's true.”
They agreed to move Isabella to a secure location while investigators prepared to execute the warrant. But Vittorio had one final advantage: he knew the family's habits, the private routes, and the people who still trusted him.
That evening, Isabella insisted on attending a charity reception at the Winter Garden, where she planned to publicly announce that she would testify.
Massimo objected.
Isabella lifted her chin.
“I built half the charitable programs in this city. I will not let a coward frighten me out of my own life.”
Sophie offered to accompany her.
Clara came, too.
Massimo arrived separately with Rafael and a security team.
The Winter Garden glowed beneath glass ceilings and hanging lights. Guests gathered around white floral arrangements, and a small orchestra played near the fountain.
For a brief moment, the evening seemed almost normal.
Then the lights went out.
A crash sounded near the entrance.
Someone screamed.
Massimo grabbed Sophie and pulled her behind a stone column. Rafael shouted instructions while security officers moved through the darkness.
When the emergency lights came on, Isabella was gone.
Sophie felt her blood turn cold.
“Grandmother!”
Massimo searched the room, but the guards found only a dropped handbag near the service corridor.
Clara discovered a message inside it.
COME TO THE OLD CHAPEL. COME ALONE.
Massimo read it.
“No.”
Sophie stared at him.
“We have to go.”
“We have to call the police.”
“We'll do both.”
They contacted the investigators and sent the location to Rafael. The team arrived at the old chapel within minutes, but the building appeared empty.
Then a phone rang from the altar.
Massimo answered.
Vittorio's voice filled the room.
“You've made a mess of everything, nephew.”
“Where is Isabella?”
“Safe, for the moment.”
“If you touch her—”
“You'll what? Kill me? That's exactly the story I need the world to believe.”
Massimo's hand tightened around the phone.
Vittorio continued.
“Bring the ledger and the original documents. No police. No lawyers. Or your grandmother pays for your stubbornness.”
Sophie leaned toward the phone.
“Vittorio, she won't forgive you for this.”
He laughed.
“Miss Miller, your mother thought the same thing.”
The call ended.
Massimo turned toward Rafael.
“Track the signal.”
Rafael began working.
Sophie searched the chapel, noticing a trail of wet footprints leading toward a side door. They continued into the courtyard, where a delivery van had been parked.
A small flower lay on the ground.
A white lily.
Sophie's mother had used lilies in every arrangement she made for important occasions.
She picked it up.
“Someone wants us to find this.”
Massimo studied the petals.
“Or someone wants us to think they do.”
Rafael called out.
“I have a location. An abandoned conservatory on the west side.”
Sophie looked at Massimo.
“The conservatory belonged to the foundation.”
He nodded.
“Then that's where we'll go.”
They arrived to find the building dark and silent. Through the glass walls, Sophie could see a single light burning in the center room.
Isabella sat tied to a chair.
Vittorio stood behind her.
He held a gun.
“Welcome,” he said.
Massimo stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
“First, the ledger.”
Sophie held up the case.
Vittorio smiled.
“Good girl.”
Massimo's eyes flashed.
“Don't call her that.”
Vittorio looked between them.
May you like
Then he aimed the gun at Isabella.
“Now we'll see how much family is worth to you.”
