Chapter 18 - THE FIANCÉE'S FINAL BET|
Valentina requested one final meeting with Aleandro.
She arrived at the estate without jewelry, makeup, or the polished confidence that had once made her the center of every room. She asked to speak privately, but Aleandro insisted that Sophia remain present.
Valentina accepted.
"I know you won't forgive me," she began. "I'm not asking you to."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because Adrian Cross has been working with my father's former security chief. They were paid to move money and people for the Lantern Fund. My father signed some of the transfers, but he didn't control the operation."
"Who did?"
Valentina placed a folder on the table.
"Richard Moretti."
The documents showed that Richard had arranged several false deaths, including his own. He had used private clinics to hide witnesses and move children between guardians. Some transfers were intended to protect vulnerable families, but others concealed fraud and prevented beneficiaries from claiming money.
Sophia read the records in silence.
"Why are you giving us this?"
"Because Emma danced the family sequence in front of three hundred people. That means the secret is no longer buried. People will keep searching until they find the child who can unlock the trust."
Valentina looked at Aleandro.
"My father believed Richard would eventually give him control of the fund. Instead, Richard used him, then cut him out. Adrian wants the money for himself."
"And you?" Sophia asked.
Valentina lowered her eyes.
"I wanted the wedding. I wanted the name. I wanted everyone to believe I had won."
"By humiliating a toddler?"
Valentina flinched.
"I was jealous. I thought if I made Emma look ridiculous, Aleandro would stop paying attention to her. I didn't understand what the dance meant."
Sophia studied her.
"You understood that she was small and defenseless. That was enough."
Valentina nodded.
"You're right."
She removed a final document from the folder.
It was a deed to a property in Chicago, held in Daniel Moretti's name. The address matched the location in the message Sophia had received.
"I think Daniel is alive," Valentina said. "Adrian has been sending money to that property for years."
Aleandro took the document.
"Why would you help us find him?"
"Because I'm tired of being controlled by people who tell me what my future must be."
For the first time, Sophia saw the frightened young woman beneath the cruelty.
That did not excuse Valentina's behavior, but it helped Sophia understand how fear had become the currency of the Moretti and Romano families.
Valentina stood.
"I'll testify about my father's accounts. I'll tell the investigators everything I know about Adrian."
Aleandro looked at her.
"Your engagement is over."
"I know."
"You may face charges."
"I know."
"And I will not protect you from the consequences."
Valentina swallowed.
"I wouldn't ask you to."
She walked toward the door, then paused.
"One more thing. Richard knows you're looking for Daniel. He contacted Adrian this morning. He said the trust would be settled before the end of the month."
"How?"
Valentina turned toward Sophia.
"By making Emma the sole beneficiary—and removing everyone who could challenge the transfer."
The door closed behind her.
Sophia looked at Aleandro.
"He's coming for our daughter again."
Aleandro took her hand.
"Then this time, we won't wait for him to strike."
He called Marcus and instructed him to coordinate with federal investigators. The plan was no longer about reclaiming a fortune.
It was about exposing a system that had used children as instruments of control.
But before the arrangements were complete, a guard rushed into the study.
"Mr. Moretti, there's a vehicle at the front gate."
"Who?"
May you like
The guard swallowed.
"The driver says he's Daniel Moretti."
