Chapter 15: The First Crack in the Lombardi Empire

Three weeks after the Sterling Crown contract was signed, Willa received an unexpected call from Adrian before sunrise. His voice was unusually serious. "Willa, you need to see this before anyone else does."

She opened the document he had sent her and immediately recognized the Lombardi name. One of their largest hotel divisions had suddenly canceled a long-standing agreement with Cross & Crumb, claiming that Willa’s company had violated an exclusivity clause. But the clause had never existed in any contract she had signed.

Willa frowned as she read the attached notice. "This is fabricated."

"I know," Adrian replied. "My legal team confirmed it. Someone altered an old draft and submitted it as the final agreement."

Willa leaned back in her chair. For months, she had refused to believe Hollis could still reach into her life. But the timing was too perfect. Her company was expanding, and suddenly someone was trying to damage its reputation.

"Does Hollis know?" she asked.

Adrian was silent for a moment. "That’s what I’m trying to find out."

Across the city, Hollis was already standing in the Lombardi boardroom, staring at the same documents.

His grandfather Matteo had placed them in front of him without saying a word.

"This authorization carries your office seal," Matteo said. "Did you approve this?"

Hollis picked up the page. His expression hardened. "No."

"Then someone used your authority."

Hollis looked around the table at the executives who had served his family for years. For the first time, he noticed how many people were avoiding his eyes.

Then Matteo slid another folder across the table.

Inside were financial records showing that several Lombardi suppliers had quietly moved millions of dollars through shell companies connected to a Rossi-controlled investment group.

Hollis's stomach dropped.

Gianna.

He remembered every time she had asked him to trust her. Every time she had told him that Willa was too sensitive, too ambitious, too difficult. Every time he had chosen Gianna because it felt easier than defending the woman he claimed to love.

"Grandfather," Hollis said quietly, "how long have you known?"

"Not long enough," Matteo replied. "But long enough to know that this isn't only about Willa."

The room fell silent.

Matteo pointed to the final page. "Someone has been using your name to weaken the Lombardi company from within. And if these transactions are connected to the Rossi family, then the woman you once defended may have been standing at the center of it."

Hollis stared at the documents, feeling the weight of his past decisions settle over him.

For months, he had thought losing Willa was his greatest punishment.

Now he realized it had only been the beginning.

His phone suddenly vibrated.

A message from an unknown number appeared on the screen.

“You should have married Willa when you had the chance. She was the only person who could have protected your family from what is coming.”

Hollis read the message twice.

Then another message arrived.

“And Willa already knows who betrayed you.”