Chapter 6 - The Billion-Dollar Betrayal
We found Vincent in Geneva.
He had already moved millions into foreign accounts.
But he hadn't expected us to have my father's evidence.
When we entered the hotel suite, he was sitting calmly beside the window.
He smiled.
“Luca.”
I hated how familiar that voice sounded.
“You ruined my life.”
Vincent sighed.
“I gave you stability.”
“You gave me a fake diagnosis.”
“I protected you.”
“You paid women to reject me.”
“You needed to remain unmarried.”
“So you could steal my company.”
He smiled.
“Your father never understood business.”
I stepped forward.
“He trusted you.”
“And that's why he died.”
The room became silent.
Marcus raised his weapon.
Vincent laughed.
“You think you can threaten me?”
“No.”
I placed the evidence on the table.
“I can destroy you without a gun.”
His smile disappeared.
“You have no idea how powerful I am.”
“I know exactly how powerful you are.”
I opened the folders.
“You stole from seven families.”
Vincent stared.
“You murdered my father.”
His expression remained calm.
“You cannot prove that.”
I pressed play.
My father's recording filled the room.
Vincent's face changed.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
Then another voice played.
Dr. Cross.
A recording my father had hidden.
“I fabricated Luca's diagnosis under Vincent's instructions.”
Vincent stood.
“Enough.”
I continued.
“Vincent threatened my family.”
The recording ended.
He looked at me.
“You think this changes anything?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“I don't need your approval anymore.”
Vincent laughed.
“You'll never survive without me.”
I shook my head.
“I already did.”
Then Isabella stepped forward.
“My father left evidence too.”
Vincent stared at her.
“You.”
She placed the seven folders on the table.
“You forgot about the accountants.”
Vincent's face went pale.
“You were supposed to be dead.”
She smiled.
“So was Luca's father.”
Police entered the room.
Vincent reached for a weapon.
Marcus stopped him.
Within minutes, he was handcuffed.
As they led him away, he looked at me.
“You'll regret this.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
I looked at Isabella.
“I regret believing you for seventeen years.”
Vincent disappeared behind the doors.
For the first time, the silence inside my head was peaceful.
That night, Isabella and I walked beside Lake Geneva.
“You okay?”
She asked.
I looked at the water.
“I don't know.”
“That's allowed.”
I laughed.
“Is that your professional opinion?”
“No.”
She smiled.
“It's my opinion as the woman who got paid five thousand dollars to reject you.”
I looked at her.
“And the woman who returned it.”
She stepped closer.
“I couldn't keep pretending.”
“Why?”
She hesitated.
“Because when I met you, I realized you weren't the monster Vincent described.”
“What did you see?”
She smiled.
“A lonely man.”
I looked away.
She took my hand.
I didn't pull away.
“Luca.”
“Yes?”
“Are you afraid?”
“Yes.”
“Of me?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
I looked into her eyes.
“Of losing you.”
May you like
She smiled.
“Then don't.”
