He had also discovered that she had given Alessandro the letter.
For two days, he questioned her.
She refused to cooperate.
On the third night, he entered the room carrying a glass of water.
"You're making this difficult."
Elena looked at him.
"Your uncle was a monster."
Adrian smiled.
"He was a practical man."
"He killed an innocent woman."
"He protected an organization."
"He destroyed a family."
Adrian placed the glass on the table.
"Families are destroyed every day. The only question is who survives."
Elena said nothing.
Adrian crouched beside her.
"Where is the key?"
She looked at him.
"Your uncle searched for it for eighteen years."
"And failed."
"Then perhaps you should accept that it was never meant for you."
Adrian's smile disappeared.
He stood.
"Your loyalty is touching."
Elena lifted her chin.
"My loyalty belongs to Isabella."
Adrian walked toward the door.
"Then I hope she appreciates it."
He closed the door.
Elena remained alone.
She looked toward the small window.
And for the first time in three days, she smiled.
Because she had hidden something from Adrian.
Something he had never thought to search for.
***
The following morning, Alessandro received a package.
Inside was Sofia's blue ribbon.
It had been taken from her bedroom.
A handwritten message accompanied it.
Bring the original documents to the old Vescari residence.
Come alone.
If you bring anyone, the girl will pay for it.
Alessandro read the message twice.
Then he called the security room.
"Where is Sofia?"
"With Mrs. Bellini, sir."
"Confirm."
A guard checked.
There was a pause.
Then his voice changed.
"Sir..."
Alessandro's stomach tightened.
"What?"
"She's not in her room."
He stood.
"Find her."
"We're checking the cameras."
"Now!"
The recording showed Sofia leaving the breakfast room with a woman wearing the uniform of the housekeeping staff.
The woman had been inside the estate for only three days.
Her identity was false.
Alessandro stared at the screen.
He had spent years protecting his daughter from enemies outside the gates.
He had forgotten that betrayal could enter wearing a familiar uniform.
He called Marco.
"Get the cars ready."
"What's happened?"
"They have Sofia."
Marco said nothing for a moment.
Then:
"I'm coming."
"No. You're staying here."
"Alessandro—"
"Someone inside this house helped them. I want you to find out who."
"Understood."
Alessandro took his weapon.
He looked once toward the portrait.
The painted Isabella seemed to be watching him.
He touched the cracked frame.
"Not her," he whispered.
Then he left.
***
The old Vescari residence stood beyond the city.
It had been abandoned after Salvatore's death.
Its windows were broken. Ivy covered the walls. The garden had become a wilderness.
Alessandro arrived alone.
He stepped through the entrance.
Adrian was waiting in the main hall.
Sofia sat on a chair beside him.
Her hands were tied loosely in front of her.
Her blue ribbon lay on the table.
"Daddy!"
Alessandro stopped.
He looked at her.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head.
Adrian smiled.
"Children are remarkably obedient when they understand the situation."
Alessandro's eyes moved toward him.
"Let her go."
"Of course."
"Now."
"Not until we talk."
Alessandro looked at Sofia.
"Close your eyes, sweetheart."
She obeyed.
Adrian laughed softly.
"Still pretending you're a father before you're a king?"
Alessandro took one step forward.
"You're going to regret this."
"I already regret something."
"What?"
"That I allowed your father to keep you alive."
Alessandro's expression did not change.
"Your uncle made the same mistake."
Adrian's smile disappeared.
"Give me the documents."
"I don't have them."
"Then where are they?"
"Somewhere you will never find."
Adrian drew a weapon.
"Don't test me."
Alessandro looked at Sofia.
Then back at Adrian.
"You wanted the notebook. You wanted the bank records. You wanted the agreement."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Adrian laughed.
"Because your family owes mine everything."
"Your uncle stole from mine."
"Your father agreed to it."
"My father was a coward."
Adrian's eyes flashed.
"Your father was a businessman."
"He allowed my mother to die."
"He had no choice."
Alessandro moved slightly.
"Everyone has a choice."
Adrian raised the weapon.
"Your mother should have understood that."
Sofia opened her eyes.
"Don't talk about Grandma!"
Adrian turned toward her.
That was enough.
Alessandro moved.
The room erupted.
A shot struck the wall.
The chair fell.
Alessandro reached Sofia and pulled her behind him.
Adrian stumbled backward.
Another shot rang out.
Then silence.
Alessandro looked down.
Sofia was crying.
He removed the ties from her wrists.
"Look at me."
She lifted her face.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
He held her.
"You're safe."
Adrian was still standing.
His weapon was on the floor.
He stared at Alessandro.
"You think this ends here?"
Alessandro rose slowly.
"No."
He looked toward the entrance.
Marco stood there with several men.
Alessandro's eyes narrowed.
"How did you get here?"
Marco looked at Sofia.
"I followed the car."
Alessandro said nothing.
Marco approached.
"She's safe?"
"Yes."
Marco knelt.
"Hello, little one."
Sofia clung to her father.
Adrian laughed.
"How touching. The loyal servant has arrived."
Marco turned toward him.
"Be quiet."
Adrian looked at Alessandro.
"You still don't understand. The documents are only part of it."