Chapter 4: The Woman Behind the Lies

Carlo ordered the entire dock to be sealed immediately.

No worker was allowed to leave until every security camera had been checked.

The damaged steel cable was carefully removed and examined.

Within an hour, Marco returned with the report.

"Boss, the cable was deliberately cut before the shipment even arrived."

Carlo's expression darkened.

"Find out who had access to the cargo."

"Already working on it," Marco replied.

Meanwhile, Isabella sat inside the warehouse while a doctor cleaned the small scratches on her hands.

"You're lucky," the doctor said.

"Another second and that container would've crushed you."

Isabella glanced toward the open door.

Carlo was standing outside speaking with his men.

Even from a distance, she could see the blood soaking through the bandage wrapped around his arm.

Despite saving her life, he hadn't treated his own injury first.

When the doctor left, Carlo slowly walked inside.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

"Good."

Silence filled the room.

Neither of them knew how to continue.

"Thank you... for saving me," Isabella finally said.

"I wasn't saving you because you're my wife," Carlo answered quietly.

"I would've done it for anyone I cared about."

His words made her heart ache.

"That's the problem, Carlo."

"You care about too many people... but you forgot to protect the person who needed you the most."

He lowered his eyes.

For the first time, he didn't try to defend himself.

"You're right."

"I failed you."

Before Isabella could respond, Marco entered hurriedly.

"Boss, we caught someone."

"Bring him in."

Two guards dragged a frightened dock worker into the warehouse.

The man immediately fell to his knees.

"Please... I only did what I was told!"

"Who paid you?" Carlo asked coldly.

"I never saw his face."

"He wore a mask."

"But he gave me fifty thousand dollars to weaken the cable before today's delivery."

"Did he mention Isabella?"

"No... he only said the woman inspecting today's shipment must die."

Carlo's fists tightened.

Someone had planned Isabella's murder.

The dock worker was taken away.

Marco handed Carlo another file.

"Boss, there's something else."

"What is it?"

"We checked Valentina's recent phone records."

Carlo frowned.

"Why?"

"Because she has been secretly contacting someone connected to the Moretti family."

Carlo looked stunned.

"Are you saying Valentina betrayed us?"

"We don't know yet."

"But the calls are real."

That evening, Carlo returned to headquarters.

"Send Valentina to my office," he ordered.

Ten minutes later, she entered.

"You wanted to see me, Don?"

Carlo tossed the phone records across the desk.

"Explain these."

Valentina's face instantly turned pale.

"I... I can explain."

"Then explain."

"The Morettis contacted me months ago."

"They offered me money to report your movements."

"Did you accept?"

She shook her head quickly.

"No."

"At first I ignored them."

"Then why are they calling you?"

Tears filled her eyes.

"Because they threatened my younger brother."

"They said they'd kill him if I refused to answer."

Carlo stared at her silently.

"Did you tell them anything about Isabella?"

"Never!"

"I swear on my brother's life."

"I never wanted Madam to get hurt."

"I only told them where you would be during missions."

"Nothing more."

Marco stepped forward.

"Boss, she's telling the truth about the brother."

"We already verified it."

Carlo remained silent for several moments.

"Even if your intentions weren't evil, your actions endangered my family."

"From this moment forward, you're suspended from every Romano operation."

"Hand over your weapon and your security badge."

Valentina slowly removed her pistol and placed it on the desk.

Tears streamed down her face.

"I'm sorry, Don."

"I'm sorry for everything."

"Your apology belongs to Isabella," Carlo replied.

"Not me."

Valentina quietly left the office.

For the first time since joining the Romano family, she walked out without looking back.

Later that night, Carlo drove to Isabella's parents' house once again.

This time he didn't stay inside the car.

He walked to the front door.

Isabella answered after a few seconds.

"Why are you here?"

"To tell you the truth."

"Valentina has been suspended."

"She was being manipulated by our enemies."

"She admitted everything."

Isabella listened quietly.

"Does that change what happened between us?" she asked.

Carlo couldn't answer.

Because it didn't.

"You're right," he admitted.

"Even if I never betrayed you physically... I neglected you emotionally."

"That's something no investigation can erase."

Isabella nodded.

"Thank you for finally admitting it."

"But acceptance doesn't erase pain."

"Nor does it repair trust."

She gently closed the door.

Carlo remained standing outside for several minutes.

For the first time, he realized something heartbreaking.

Winning wars had always been easy.

Winning Isabella back would be the hardest battle of his life.