Chapter 7 - VALENTINA'S PRIVATE WAR| Valentina had not slept since the engagement party.
The photograph of Emma dancing had spread through Manhattan's social circles, accompanied by captions praising the little girl's grace and condemning Valentina's cruelty. Some guests called it a touching moment. Others called it a public humiliation that had exposed the weakness behind her polished image.
Valentina hated every version of the story.
But what frightened her most was that Aleandro had not called.
She stood in her dressing room while her mother entered carrying a newspaper.
"You need to stop this," Celeste said.
Valentina stared at the headline.
MAFIA HEIR HONORS MILLION-DOLLAR BET AFTER MAID'S TODDLER STUNS BALLROOM.
"They make me look like a fool."
"You made a child the target of a cruel joke."
"It was a challenge."
"It was humiliation."
Valentina threw the newspaper onto the table.
"Don't pretend you care about that girl more than your own daughter."
Celeste's expression hardened.
"I care about the truth more than I care about protecting your reputation."
Valentina laughed bitterly.
"You've spent my entire life teaching me that reputation is everything."
"I taught you that it matters what kind of person you become."
"No. You taught me that a woman without power gets crushed."
Celeste looked away.
Valentina had not been born cruel. She had grown up watching her father lose money, friends, and influence to people who were more ruthless than he was. When he died, Celeste insisted that her daughter marry into the Moretti family because the alliance would protect them from their creditors.
Valentina had learned to equate love with security.
Aleandro had offered both—or so she believed.
Then he looked at Sophia and Emma as though they mattered more than the future he had promised her.
"Why did you cry when that child danced?" Valentina demanded.
Celeste went still.
"Because I recognized the melody."
"You said it reminded you of Nico."
"It did."
Valentina stepped closer.
"Then tell me what else you know."
Celeste shook her head.
"I cannot."
"You can, and you will."
For the first time, Celeste looked genuinely afraid of her daughter.
"Valentina, there are things about your father's dealings that you don't understand. He became involved with Richard Moretti long before you met Aleandro. Some of the money that financed your education came from the Lantern Fund."
Valentina's face changed.
"What fund?"
"The one Nico was investigating."
"So my family is involved?"
"Yes."
Valentina sat down heavily.
She had believed Sophia was a threat because the maid's daughter had captured Aleandro's attention. She had not realized the child might be connected to a financial secret capable of destroying both families.
"Does Aleandro know?"
"Not everything."
Valentina looked toward her phone.
"If he finds out that my father helped his father, he'll end the engagement."
"Then you need to tell him the truth."
"And lose everything?"
Celeste placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You may lose the life you planned. That is not the same as losing your life."
Valentina pulled away.
"You don't understand."
She opened a locked drawer and removed a folder containing copies of the Lantern Fund's accounts. Her father had left it behind after his death, and she had kept it hidden because it contained names, dates, and transfers she could not explain.
One payment had been made two days before Nico disappeared.
Another had been made the morning Emma was born.
The recipient was not a hospital.
It was a private security company whose director had later become Valentina's personal adviser.
She stared at the name.
Adrian Cross.
Then she made a decision.
If Sophia was going to destroy her future, Valentina would learn every secret first.
She called Adrian.
"I need you to find the little girl."
He answered after a pause.
"Why?"
"Because I want to know what Nico left her."
"And if she has nothing?"
May you like
Valentina looked at the photograph of Emma dancing.
"Then I'll make sure she never gets the chance to embarrass me again."
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