Chapter 13 - THE FIANCÉE WHO REFUSED TO LEAVE| Valentina returned to the mansion on Monday morning, carrying a suitcase and wearing the expression of a woman who had rehearsed her speech in the car.
Adriano met her in the library.
"You should have called first."
"I live here."
"Not anymore."
She placed the suitcase beside the sofa.
"You cannot end our engagement because of a medical misunderstanding."
Adriano stared at her.
"Do you still believe that's what this is?"
"I believe you're allowing a child to influence decisions she cannot possibly understand."
"That child noticed that my drink was being tampered with. She noticed a pattern in my behavior. She noticed that you threatened her mother."
Valentina's face tightened.
"She is a child. She has no idea what she saw."
"Then why are you so afraid of her notebook?"
For a moment, Valentina said nothing.
Then she sat down.
"I wanted the trust settled before the wedding."
"Why?"
"Because the family council was planning to transfer some of the assets. I was told the process was legal."
"By whom?"
She hesitated.
"Simone."
Adriano's eyes narrowed.
"Simone told you that if I became medically unfit, he could control the company."
"He said it would be temporary."
"And you believed him?"
"I wanted to believe him."
Adriano shook his head.
"You keep choosing the explanation that benefits you."
Valentina rose.
"Because I have spent my entire life trying to secure a future. My father left us with debts. The Moretti family promised to help. Simone said that if I married you, the alliance would protect both families."
"And the medical scheme?"
"I didn't know about the substance in your glass."
"Did you know about the camera outages?"
She looked away.
Adriano stepped closer.
"Answer me."
"I knew Simone had access to the system. I thought he was gathering records to prove you were working too hard."
"Working too hard doesn't require a hidden camera."
Valentina's expression crumpled.
"I didn't ask questions because I was afraid the wedding would be canceled."
Adriano felt no satisfaction in hearing her admit it.
He had once cared for her. He had imagined they might build a life together, perhaps even raise children. Now he understood that she had seen his illness not as a reason to help him but as a chance to secure her position.
"The engagement is over," he said.
Valentina stared at him.
"You can't do this to me."
"I can. And I am."
She picked up her suitcase.
At the doorway, she turned.
"Simone isn't the one you should be afraid of."
Adriano remained still.
"What do you mean?"
Valentina swallowed.
"He told me the plan came from someone who has been controlling the family's medical records for years. Someone who had authority long before either of us worked here."
"Who?"
Valentina looked at the closed library door.
"I don't know the name. But I heard Simone call the person 'the original trustee.'"
She left.
Adriano stood alone in the library, thinking of Patricia, the missing ledger, and the long list of people who had been hidden under false identities.
Then Marcus entered carrying a sealed envelope.
It had been delivered to the estate that morning.
The handwriting belonged to Anthony Castellano.
May you like
Inside was a note containing six words.
The original trustee is still alive.
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