Chapter 7: The Poisoned Ledger
The investigation yielded a terrifying truth three days later. Marco entered the study, slamming a decrypted phone log onto Matteo’s desk.
"You were right, Boss," Marco said. "Elena Vance isn't acting alone. She’s being funded by an old ghost. Viktor Russo."
Matteo’s blood ran cold. Viktor Russo was Harrison’s former right-hand man, a ruthless lieutenant who had managed to evade arrest during the purge one year ago. He had been hiding in the shadows of the European black market, waiting for a chance to strike back at Matteo for dismantling the syndicate.
"Russo doesn't care about Lily," Hannah realized, her hand flying to her silver pendant. "He’s using Elena to get to the cryptographic ledger. He thinks there are still hidden offshore accounts that weren't surrendered to the government."
"Exactly," Marco nodded. "Russo promised Elena half of whatever they extort from you. And they are planning to use the upcoming custody deposition to ambush us legally—or physically."
Before Matteo could formulate a counter-strategy, the intercom rang. It was the villa’s perimeter security.
"Boss! We have a medical emergency in the school dormitory! A fire has broken out in the kitchen, and several children are trapped!"
Matteo’s instincts kicked in. "Marco, get the tactical team to the school now! Hannah, stay here with Lily!"
Matteo rushed out of the villa, sprinting toward the school pavilion across the estate grounds. Sirens wailed in the distance as smoke poured from the school’s lower level. Matteo threw himself into the chaos, helping his security team evacuate the frightened deaf children, his heart hammering in his chest.
It took twenty minutes to completely extinguish the fire and ensure every child was accounted for. It was a localized electrical fire, contained quickly—but as the smoke cleared, a sudden, chilling realization struck Matteo’s mind.
The fire was too convenient. It was a distraction.
"Hannah!" Matteo roared, turning and sprinting back toward the villa at an insane speed.
He burst through the front doors of the estate, his boots skidding across the marble floor. "Hannah! Lily!"
Silence answered him.
He ran into the private living room. The furniture was overturned. On the floor lay a bloodied security guard, unconscious. In the center of the room stood Hannah, her face bruised, her shirt torn, struggling to stand as she held a broken piece of a vase in her hand.
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"Matteo..." Hannah gasped, coughing violently. "They took her... Elena and Russo's men. They bypassed the security override using an internal code. They took Lily..."
Matteo caught her before she fell, his soul shattering into a million pieces. The absolute worst nightmare of his life had come true. The snakes had breached his walls, and they had taken his princess.
