Chapter 6 - She Discovered the Secret Sebastian Had Hidden About His Dead Accountant—and Walked Out Before He Could Explain
Elena read the message twelve times before deciding what to do.
He knows why the former controller died.
The sender was unknown.
The photograph of Mark Ellison outside the warehouse could have been taken days earlier or months earlier. Nothing in the image established where he was now, whether he was safe, or whether Sebastian had anything to do with his disappearance.
The message was not evidence.
It was an accusation designed to look like a revelation.
Elena knew that.
She also knew she could not ignore it.
She found Sebastian in his study, standing beside Luca and examining a map of the city's industrial district.
When he saw her, he dismissed Luca with a nod.
"What's wrong?"
Elena held out her phone.
"Someone sent me this."
Sebastian examined the photograph.
His expression changed.
"Where did you get it?"
"An unknown number."
He read the accompanying messages.
Then he handed the phone back.
"Someone is attempting to manipulate you."
"Possibly."
His gaze sharpened.
"Possibly?"
"That's what the messages appear to be doing. They want me to believe you know why Thomas Reed died and that you've done something to Mark."
Sebastian set the map down.
"Thomas died of a cardiac event six months ago. He was fifty-eight. His family received the medical report, and the death was not treated as suspicious at the time."
"Were you there?"
"No."
"Did you speak to him before he died?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Two days before."
Elena watched his face.
"What did you discuss?"
"The foundation's finances. Thomas had raised concerns about a discrepancy involving Bellanova Outreach. He said he wanted to review the supporting records before approving the next payment."
"And what did you tell him?"
"That he should take whatever time he needed and not approve anything he couldn't verify."
Elena felt her stomach tighten.
"Did he mention Anthony?"
"Not directly."
"Did he seem frightened?"
Sebastian paused.
"He seemed tired. Frustrated. He said the paperwork was more complicated than it should have been."
"Why didn't you mention that before?"
"Because I didn't know whether it was relevant to the current investigation."
Elena stared at him.
"You have to understand something. Every time someone reveals another detail about Thomas's death, I discover that I wasn't told something important."
"I understand."
"Do you?"
He took a breath.
"I should have included his final concerns in the initial account I gave you. I didn't think they established a connection, but that was not my decision to make on your behalf."
Elena had expected defensiveness.
Instead, he admitted that he had made a mistake.
It did not settle the matter.
But it made it easier to continue the conversation.
"Have you done anything to Mark Ellison?"
Sebastian's expression hardened.
"No."
"Have you ordered anyone to find him?"
"Yes. To determine where he is and whether he's in danger. We have also informed the police."
"Are your people searching for him, or are they trying to make sure he stays quiet?"
The question was brutal.
Elena hated having to ask it.
But she needed an answer she could evaluate, not a promise she was expected to accept because it came from Sebastian Romano.
He held her gaze.
"They are looking for him because he may have information about the missing funds. If he has evidence of wrongdoing involving me or my family, that evidence should be provided to the authorities. I have no interest in silencing him."
"Can you prove that?"
"Not from where we're standing. But Luca can show you the instructions I issued, and we can arrange for the police to confirm what has been reported."
She nodded slowly.
"Then I want to see the records."
"Of course."
He picked up the desk telephone and called Luca.
Within minutes, Luca returned with a file containing the relevant communications and the report filed with the authorities.
Elena examined the documents carefully.
The instructions were consistent with Sebastian's explanation. His security team had been asked to locate Mark, check on his safety, and provide any relevant information to the investigating officers.
There was no instruction to detain him, threaten him, or conceal his whereabouts.
It was not proof that everyone associated with Sebastian was acting properly.
But it was a reason not to accept the anonymous messages as facts.
Elena returned the file.
"Thank you."
Sebastian nodded.
"You're entitled to question me."
She looked up.
"Most people in your position wouldn't say that."
"Most people in my position have spent too long being obeyed."
His expression softened.
"If we're going to work together, you need to be able to disagree with me without wondering whether you'll lose your job or your safety."
Elena felt a strange ache in her chest.
"You make that sound easy."
"It isn't."
He looked toward the windows.
"But it is necessary."
For several seconds, Elena said nothing.
Then she looked at the messages again.
"Someone wants me to distrust you."
"Yes."
"Which means they believe I'm becoming important to this investigation."
Sebastian's eyes narrowed.
"That's one possibility."
"And they think the easiest way to stop me is to make me believe you're the threat."
He nodded.
"Possibly."
Elena locked her phone.
"Then I won't let them make the decision for me."
His gaze remained on her.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. I still need answers."
"I would expect nothing less."
She turned toward the door.
"One more thing, Sebastian."
"Yes?"
"If the evidence leads to you, I will report it."
He answered immediately.
"You should."
She looked at him for a long moment.
Then she left.
For the first time, she understood that trusting someone did not mean deciding they were innocent.
It meant allowing evidence to determine what she believed, even when the truth could hurt.
And she was not going to abandon that principle for a man, no matter how much she was beginning to care about him.
The family dinner that evening was held in the Romano estate's smaller dining room.
Viviana had insisted on a formal table setting, although she admitted that the meal was not technically an occasion.
"It is merely dinner," she announced when Elena entered.
Adrian looked at the silver cutlery arranged beside each plate.
"Of course. Merely dinner with twelve courses and a photographer."
"The photographer is for the family portrait."
"You said that last time."
"And you looked miserable in every picture."
"Because I was hungry."
Viviana pointed her cane toward an empty chair.
"Sit down before I assign you a diet."
Elena laughed and took her place beside Sebastian.
Victoria Duca arrived ten minutes later.
She wore a dark red dress and carried a gift for Viviana, a carefully wrapped box containing an antique porcelain figurine.
"How thoughtful," Isabella said.
Victoria smiled.
"I remembered your grandmother's collection."
Viviana accepted the box politely.
"My collection is not the same thing as my approval, Victoria."
The room went quiet.
Victoria's smile faltered.
Sebastian lowered his gaze to his plate, apparently determined not to intervene.
Elena bit the inside of her cheek to avoid laughing.
Dinner began with ordinary conversation. Viviana discussed the garden renovation. Isabella asked Elena about her family. Adrian told a long story about a disastrous business trip.
For nearly forty minutes, Elena almost forgot that she was sitting in a room full of people connected to a financial investigation.
Then Victoria placed her fork down.
"I hope you won't think me impolite if I raise a concern about the foundation."
Viviana looked at her.
"That depends on the concern."
Victoria turned toward Sebastian.
"I understand the audit has expanded considerably. There are allegations about Bellanova, questions about vendor payments, and now rumors that the former controller's death may have been connected to the financial discrepancies."
Elena felt the room tighten.
Sebastian answered calmly.
"An independent audit is examining the records."
"Of course. But rumors can become damaging before the facts are established."
"Which is why we are not making accusations publicly."
Victoria nodded.
"Then I hope Elena understands how important it is to remain objective."
Elena set down her glass.
"I agree."
Victoria looked almost disappointed.
"I was concerned that your personal relationship with Sebastian might make it difficult for you to separate professional matters from private loyalties."
Elena smiled politely.
"Fortunately, my consulting agreement requires me to report findings accurately. It doesn't require me to protect anyone's reputation."
Adrian coughed into his napkin.
Sebastian looked at Elena with an expression of unmistakable admiration.
Victoria ignored them.
"I also understand that you have been contacting clinic staff directly."
"That is part of the audit."
"Without coordinating with Bellanova?"
"Because the people receiving the equipment are the best source of information about whether it arrived."
Victoria's smile became colder.
"Perhaps. But Bellanova has its own records. It would be unfortunate if incomplete information damaged an organization that has supported the foundation for years."
Elena met her gaze.
"Then please provide the original delivery records, serial numbers, warehouse logs, and signed confirmations. We can compare them with the clinics' records."
Victoria's fingers tightened around her glass.
"I'll see what can be arranged."
"Thank you."
Viviana watched the exchange with keen interest.
Then she turned toward her granddaughter-in-law.
"Victoria, if Bellanova has nothing to hide, I imagine providing the documents should be simple."
Victoria's cheeks colored.
"Of course."
"Excellent. Then we are all in agreement."
Viviana resumed eating.
The conversation moved on, but Elena could feel Victoria's hostility growing.
When dessert arrived, Victoria rose and excused herself, claiming she needed to take a call.
Elena waited several minutes before following her into the corridor.
She did not intend to eavesdrop.
She intended to ask for the promised documents.
But as she approached the doorway to a small sitting room, she heard Victoria's voice.
"No. She has the original ledger."
A pause.
"I don't know how much she found. Sebastian has given her access to everything."
Another pause.
Then Victoria said something that made Elena stop cold.
"Anthony, you said the records were already dealt with."
Elena felt her pulse hammer.
Anthony.
Victoria continued.
"The audit has reached the clinics. If she compares the delivery confirmations, the whole arrangement falls apart."
Silence.
Then, more quietly, "I don't care what it takes. Get the remaining records before the birthday dinner."
Elena stepped backward.
Her heel touched the edge of a rug.
The fabric shifted slightly.
Inside the room, Victoria stopped speaking.
"Who is there?"
Elena moved away from the doorway as quietly as she could.
She had almost reached the main corridor when Victoria appeared behind her.
"Elena."
She turned.
Victoria's expression was pleasant again.
"Have you been looking for me?"
"I wanted to ask when we could expect the delivery records."
Victoria studied her for a moment.
"They are being prepared."
"Good."
"Although I must say, you seem very determined to make yourself indispensable to this family."
Elena kept her expression neutral.
"I'm determined to finish the audit."
"Of course."
Victoria stepped closer.
"Be careful, Elena. The people around Sebastian are not always what they appear to be."
"Then I'll continue asking questions."
Victoria's eyes hardened.
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Then Victoria smiled.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening."
She turned and walked away.
Elena stood in the corridor, trying to slow her breathing.
She had not heard the entire conversation.
She did not know exactly what Anthony and Victoria had agreed upon.
But she had heard enough to establish that they were discussing the remaining records and that Victoria feared the audit's progress.
Elena returned to the dining room.
Sebastian noticed her expression immediately.
"What happened?"
"I need to speak with you privately."
He stood at once.
They walked into the library and closed the door.
Elena told him what she had overheard.
He listened without interrupting.
When she finished, his face was expressionless.
"Anthony and Victoria."
"I heard her address him by name."
"That still doesn't establish what they were discussing in full."
"I know."
Sebastian turned toward the window.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he called Luca and asked him to preserve any relevant communication records and notify the independent audit team about the conversation Elena had overheard.
He did not ask Luca to confront Victoria.
He did not order anyone to search her belongings.
He simply made sure the information was documented.
Elena watched him.
"You believe me?"
"Yes."
The answer came so quickly that she felt her throat tighten.
"But I also want to make sure we don't turn suspicion into a conclusion before the evidence supports it."
She nodded.
"That's fair."
Sebastian turned toward her.
"Did Victoria see you?"
"Yes. She knows I was near the room."
"Then she may accelerate whatever she was planning."
Elena thought about the photograph, the missing records, and the unknown sender who had been trying to make her distrust Sebastian.
"Tomorrow," she said, "we need to secure the remaining financial records before anyone has a chance to change them."
"Agreed."
"And I want copies of every transaction related to Bellanova stored outside the foundation's network."
"We'll arrange that through the independent auditors."
She hesitated.
"Sebastian?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want you to make decisions for me because you're worried."
He held her gaze.
"I won't."
"And I don't want to be treated differently because we're pretending to be together."
His expression softened.
"You won't be."
For a moment, she believed him completely.
Then he glanced toward the dining room.
"Would you like to go back?"
Elena exhaled.
"Yes. But if your grandmother asks whether I've chosen a wedding dress, I'm blaming you."
"That seems fair."
They returned to dinner together.
Viviana looked up immediately.
"Everything all right?"
"Perfectly," Elena replied.
The old woman studied her face, then Sebastian's.
"Good. Because I have just decided that you will both accompany me to the charity clinic next week."
Sebastian closed his eyes.
"Grandmother."
"What?"
"Why?"
"Because I want to see whether the equipment we paid for has reached the people who need it."
Elena nearly laughed.
It was the most convenient decision anyone had made all evening.
Viviana raised her teacup.
"And because, if someone has stolen from my foundation, I want to look them in the eye when we discover it."
For once, nobody objected.
Elena glanced at Sebastian.
His expression had become serious again.
The family had reached a turning point.
Victoria was frightened.
Anthony might be involved.
And the remaining records were at risk.
Elena knew what she had to do.
She would continue the audit.
She would preserve the evidence.
And whatever the truth revealed about Sebastian's family, she would not allow affection to become an excuse for silence.
But when Sebastian offered his arm to escort her back to the suite afterward, Elena accepted it.
Not because she was pretending.
Not entirely.
May you like
Because somewhere along the way, the man she had agreed to help had become someone whose presence made her feel less alone.
And that, she was beginning to realize, might be the most dangerous development of all.
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