Chapter 9: The Anonymous Ally

I stared at the photograph for what felt like an eternity.

Maria was unmistakable.

She stood outside a jewelry boutique, handing a velvet pouch to a man wearing a dark gray coat.

The pouch looked identical to the one that had supposedly been found inside my suitcase.

On the back of the photograph, the message remained painfully simple.

Trust no one inside Romano House.

No signature.

No explanation.

Just a warning.

"Sophia?"

Alexander's voice pulled me back to reality.

He knocked gently before stepping into the guest room.

"I made some tea."

"Thank you."

He noticed the photograph in my hands.

"What's that?"

Without saying a word, I handed it to him.

His expression immediately changed.

"Where did you get this?"

"It was hidden inside my suitcase."

"Someone planted it?"

"Or someone wanted me to find it."

Alexander carefully examined the picture.

"This wasn't taken by accident."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at the angle."

He pointed toward the corner of the photograph.

"Whoever took this was hiding across the street."

"They were following Maria."

"Exactly."

He looked at me.

"Someone inside your family's circle is secretly investigating her."

That possibility hadn't even crossed my mind.

"But why send it to me?"

"Because they want you to keep digging."

I slowly folded the photograph and slipped it back into the envelope.

"Then I'll do exactly that."

Alexander smiled faintly.

"Now you sound dangerous."

"Maybe it's about time."

The following morning, Alexander left early for Boston.

Before leaving, he handed me a small key.

"What's this?"

"My apartment."

"You're trusting me with it?"

"I trust people until they give me a reason not to."

His words stung.

Because someone else had done exactly the opposite.

"Thank you."

"Call me if you need anything."

"Safe flight."

After he left, I couldn't stop thinking about the photograph.

Something about it felt incomplete.

I placed it on the dining table beneath the morning sunlight.

As the light hit the glossy paper, I noticed something strange.

A reflection.

There was another person standing inside the jewelry store.

Only half of their body was visible through the glass.

I grabbed a magnifying glass from the bookshelf.

The reflection became clearer.

A familiar wristwatch.

A silver watch with a blue dial.

My heart skipped.

I had seen that watch countless times.

Lucas.

"No..."

Was Lucas involved?

Or had he simply been at the wrong place?

Before I could think further, my phone rang.

It was Lucas.

"Sophia, where are you?"

"Why?"

"Vincent found something."

"Another apology?"

"No.

Evidence."

I remained silent.

"Please," Lucas continued.

"Just hear him out once."

Against my better judgment, I agreed.

An hour later, I returned to the Moretti security headquarters instead of the Romano estate.

Vincent was already waiting inside.

There was no suit today.

Only a black shirt with rolled sleeves.

He looked exhausted.

"Thank you for coming," he said quietly.

"Make it quick."

Without arguing, he placed several documents on the table.

"These are security access logs."

"And?"

"Only six people entered the west hallway yesterday."

He pointed toward the list.

Me.

Elena.

Maria.

Two housekeepers.

And Isabella.

"Isabella?"

"She entered your room for nearly fifteen minutes."

"She said she wanted to see the bracelet."

"Exactly."

I looked up.

"Are you saying she framed me?"

"I don't know."

"Then why show me this?"

"Because I promised I'd find the truth."

"Even if it hurts someone you care about?"

Vincent hesitated.

"Yes."

I searched his face.

This time he wasn't avoiding my eyes.

For the first time since everything happened, he looked completely honest.

"What about Maria?" I asked.

"She also entered your room."

"Before or after Isabella?"

"Before."

"How long?"

"Seven minutes."

The room fell silent.

Both names.

Both opportunities.

Either one could have planted the bracelet.

Or perhaps they had worked together.

"There's something else," Vincent said.

He opened another folder.

"The jewelry boutique from the photograph."

My eyes widened.

"How did you know about that?"

"Someone anonymously mailed the same picture to me this morning."

I froze.

"You received one too?"

"Yes."

"Then whoever sent it wants both of us investigating."

"Which means they're risking a lot."

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then Vincent quietly asked,

"Do you still think I don't trust you?"

I looked down at the photograph.

"I think you're finally starting to."

His shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.

"Sophia..."

"Don't misunderstand."

"I'm not forgiving you."

"I know."

"Trust doesn't come back overnight."

"I'll earn it back."

"We'll see."

As I stood to leave, Vincent spoke again.

"One more thing."

I turned around.

"I've assigned private security to follow you."

"Excuse me?"

"Whoever framed you may try again."

"I don't need a bodyguard."

"Humor me."

"You're still trying to protect me after everything?"

He looked at me with quiet determination.

"I should have protected you from the beginning."

For a brief moment, I saw the Vincent I had fallen in love with.

The man who always fixed impossible situations.

The man who made me feel safe.

But memories weren't enough anymore.

"Goodbye, Vincent."

"Not goodbye."

"Just... until we know the truth."

I walked toward the exit.

Just before opening the door, Lucas hurried inside.

His face had gone completely pale.

"Vincent!"

"What happened?"

"One of the housekeepers is missing."

"Which one?"

"The maid who cleaned Sophia's room before the charity dinner."

The room fell silent.

Lucas swallowed hard before speaking again.

"Her apartment was completely empty."

"No clothes.

No passport.

Nothing."

"She disappeared overnight."

I slowly turned back toward Vincent.

Someone wasn't just hiding the truth anymore.

Someone was erasing every witness who could expose it.