Chapter 4 - Isabella Rossi Finally Told the TruthIsabella chose an old theater downtown.
Closed for renovation.
No audience.
No security cameras.
No witnesses.
Desmond arrived alone.
He wore the engagement ring around his neck on a chain.
The theater was dark.
He walked onto the stage.
“Isabella.”
She appeared beneath the spotlight.
White dress.
Perfect hair.
A gun in her hand.
Two men stood behind her.
Desmond smiled faintly.
“You always did enjoy dramatic entrances.”
“You always did think you were smarter than everyone.”
“Not everyone.”
“Norah.”
His expression changed.
“Where is she?”
“Safe.”
“Prove it.”
Isabella held up a phone.
A live video showed Norah tied to a chair.
Desmond's hands tightened.
“Let her go.”
“First, the ring.”
He removed it from the chain.
Held it up.
Isabella smiled.
“You really don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
“That ring contains a tracking chip.”
Desmond paused.
“That's impossible.”
“It was installed before I gave it to you.”
“Why?”
“So we would always know where you were.”
Desmond looked at the ring.
“You've been tracking me for eight months.”
“Yes.”
“Since the engagement.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Isabella lowered the gun.
“Because my father didn't trust you.”
“Your father killed Arthur.”
Her expression changed.
“No.”
“Then who?”
Isabella looked toward the empty seats.
“My father didn't order the crash.”
Desmond stared.
“Who did?”
She answered:
“Elias Hayes.”
Everything inside Desmond seemed to stop.
“My uncle?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Arthur discovered him.”
“Discovered what?”
“That your family wasn't what you thought.”
Isabella walked closer.
“Your father didn't build a legitimate shipping empire.”
Desmond said nothing.
“He built the access point.”
“For what?”
“Black Crown.”
Desmond shook his head.
“No.”
“Your father answered to them.”
“My father was a businessman.”
“He was a criminal.”
“And your family?”
“Worse.”
She stopped.
“The Rossi family has served Black Crown for generations.”
Desmond's jaw clenched.
“Then why marry me?”
“To merge the families.”
“And kill me?”
“Yes.”
She said it so calmly that the honesty was more frightening than any lie.
“After our wedding, you would sign over the remaining Hayes assets.”
“And then?”
“You'd die.”
“When?”
“After the honeymoon.”
He laughed.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I have no reason to lie now.”
“Why not?”
“Because I'm tired.”
Something in her voice changed.
Desmond noticed.
“Of what?”
“Being my father's daughter.”
The gun lowered slightly.
“My mother died because she tried to leave.”
“Carlo killed her?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
“Black Crown.”
Isabella looked at the floor.
“My father tried to save himself by giving them Arthur.”
Desmond's face hardened.
“You're saying Carlo made a deal.”
“Yes.”
“With whom?”
“I don't know.”
“Who gave him the order?”
Isabella looked into his eyes.
“The person who has been running everything from the beginning.”
“Elias?”
“No.”
Desmond went still.
“Then who?”
Isabella's lips parted.
Before she could answer, the theater doors opened.
A slow clap echoed through the building.
Desmond turned.
Carlo Rossi stepped into the light.
He was smiling.
Behind him stood a dozen armed men.
“My daughter has always been impatient.”
Desmond looked at Isabella.
“You knew he was coming.”
“Yes.”
“And the video?”
“Fake.”
Desmond slowly turned.
Norah was not in the room.
Carlo smiled.
“Now we can talk like family.”
Desmond drew his weapon.
Every gun in the theater rose toward him.
Carlo laughed.
“You don't have enough bullets.”
“No.”
Desmond's gaze moved to Isabella.
“But she does.”
Isabella looked at her father.
For one second, something passed between them.
Fear.
Then she raised her gun.
Not at Desmond.
At Carlo.
A shot thundered.
Carlo staggered.
The entire theater erupted in chaos.
Desmond moved.
Men shouted.
Bullets tore through the curtains.
Isabella grabbed his arm.
“Run!”
They disappeared backstage.
“Where is Norah?”
“Safe.”
“You lied to me.”
“I needed you alive.”
“I don't trust you.”
“You shouldn't.”
They reached a service tunnel.
Isabella stopped.
“There is something you need to know.”
“What?”
She looked at the ring around his neck.
“My father isn't the one who controls Black Crown.”
Desmond stared.
“I know.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You don't.”
She took a deep breath.
“The person who controls it is someone you've known your entire life.”
Desmond froze.
“Who?”
May you like
Isabella whispered:
“Your mother.”
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