Chapter 6 - The Paper Trail
Lorenzo grabbed Valentina by her arm, lifting her to her feet, and escorted her firmly into his private study, locking the door behind them.
He threw the phone onto his desk and pointed to the laptop terminal. "Open it. Every encrypted file, every offshore account, every private log you have. Do it now, or I will turn you over to Marco's team."
Valentina swallowed hard, her manicured fingers trembling as she typed her private passcodes into the terminal.
Files began to open across the dual screens: offshore trust transfers, encrypted medical messages, and private transport manifests from the night of October 1st.
Lorenzo leaned over the desk, his sharp eyes scanning the digital ledgers.
Three weeks ago, a payment of two million dollars had been wired from a private account in the Cayman Islands to an offshore account registered under Dr. Adrian Cole's name. The authorization signature on the wire transfer belonged to a corporate entity called Vanguard Logistics.
Lorenzo knew that name. Vanguard Logistics was the primary shell company used by Matteo to manage his private investments outside the family's main syndicate network.
"Matteo paid Cole to forge the death certificate," Lorenzo murmured, his mind analyzing the complex financial web. "He wanted my heir out of the picture so the succession would pass to him today."
"Yes!" Valentina cried, covering her face with her hands. "Matteo came to me two months ago! He told me that if I didn't help him orchestrate the fake death, he would reveal a secret from my past that would make you destroy me!"
Lorenzo stopped scanning the screen. He turned his head slowly toward his wife.
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"What secret?" Lorenzo asked, his voice dropping to a whisper that made the room freeze.
Valentina looked at him, her eyes filled with a deep, dark terror that went far beyond fear of Matteo. "The second bracelet, Lorenzo... Patient 884-902-A. The twin."
