Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN WHO NEVER INTENDED TO MARRY HIM
Celeste Bowmont had spent four years telling everyone she would become Mrs. Dante Moretti.
Photographs.
Charity events.
Diamond bracelets.
Society columns.
She appeared beside him at every important dinner.
But according to Luca's letter, Celeste's relationship with Dante had begun as part of a financial scheme.
I stared at the page.
"Did you know her before Luca died?"
Dante nodded.
"Yes. Our families worked together."
"And after?"
"She began spending more time at the penthouse."
I swallowed.
"Did you love her?"
For several seconds, he didn't answer.
Then he looked toward the window.
"I thought I might."
That was the most honest answer he could have given.
I appreciated it.
Then he continued.
"Celeste knew how to make everything seem manageable after Luca died. She handled charity events, investor meetings, and family obligations."
I looked down.
"She made herself necessary."
Dante nodded.
"Yes."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then the attorney entered with an update.
The foundation's accounts showed payments to several shell companies connected to Celeste.
Some transfers had been authorized with electronic credentials assigned to Dante.
But the access records indicated those credentials were used while he was outside the country.
I stared.
"Someone used his account."
The attorney nodded.
"That's what the logs suggest."
Dante's expression hardened.
"Who had access?"
"Celeste's office. Arthur Bowmont's finance team. And one senior Moretti executive."
My stomach tightened.
"Which executive?"
The attorney hesitated.
"Vincent Romano."
Dante went completely still.
Vincent Romano was his closest adviser.
The man who'd helped raise him after his father's death.
The man everyone called Uncle Vincent despite having no blood relation.
And the man who'd personally hired the security team protecting the penthouse.
I felt cold.
"Could he be involved?"
The attorney answered carefully.
"We need more evidence."
Dante nodded.
For once, he didn't demand immediate retaliation.
He wanted the truth.
Then something unexpected happened.
Marco Bellini, one of the men I'd helped during his recovery, asked to speak with me.
He looked nervous.
"Serena, I need to tell you something."
I frowned.
"What?"
"The night Elias and I were shot, we weren't supposed to be at the docks."
My stomach tightened.
"Then why were you there?"
"Vincent sent us."
"Why?"
"He said someone was moving unauthorized medical equipment through the warehouse."
I stared.
"The hospital contracts?"
Marco nodded.
"We found boxes labeled Northstar."
My heart pounded.
"What's inside them?"
"Records. Equipment. Some medications."
I swallowed.
Then Marco lowered his voice.
"Serena, the shooting wasn't random."
I went still.
"What?"
He looked toward the hallway.
"Someone knew our route."
My stomach tightened.
"And?"
"Vincent was the only person who knew exactly when we'd arrive."
For the first time, I understood why the two wounded men had mattered so much.
They hadn't merely been victims of a violent ambush.
May you like
They'd accidentally discovered evidence tied to the same scheme that killed Luca.
And the man who sent them there was standing beside Dante every day.
Related Stories
