Chapter 3 - THE ROOM NOBODY WAS SUPPOSED TO ENTER
Matteo Rossi had searched for his father for eleven years.
He had hired private investigators.
Questioned former associates.
Followed rumors from Chicago to Switzerland.
Now a photograph suggested Lorenzo Rossi had been alive all along.
And whoever held him wanted Isabella.
"Absolutely not," Matteo said.
Isabella stared at the message.
"Room 314 is upstairs."
"You're not going."
"But your father—"
"I won't trade your safety for a photograph."
She looked at him.
For a man rumored to make ruthless decisions, his refusal surprised her.
"Then we'll find another way."
Matteo immediately contacted his security chief, Gabriel Torres.
"Locate Room 314. Quietly. Check every camera covering the third floor."
Gabriel acknowledged the order.
Meanwhile, Matteo led Isabella into a private sitting room near the ballroom.
"Tell me everything your father said about his last job."
She struggled to remember.
"He worked long hours. He became nervous near the end."
"Did he mention Lorenzo Rossi?"
"No."
"Richard Vale?"
Isabella closed her eyes.
Then a memory surfaced.
Her father sitting at the kitchen table.
An unopened envelope beside his coffee.
Her mother crying.
And Daniel saying:
"If anything happens to me, don't let Isabella near the Vale family."
Her eyes flew open.
"Oh, my God."
"What?"
"My father warned my mother about the Vales."
Matteo went still.
Before he could respond, Gabriel called.
"Boss, Room 314 is an unused guest suite."
"Anyone inside?"
"Not anymore."
Matteo stood.
"What do you mean?"
"Someone entered twelve minutes ago. The camera feed was interrupted."
Matteo glanced at Isabella.
"Stay here."
She caught his sleeve.
"Matteo, please. That message mentioned me."
He studied her.
Then nodded reluctantly.
"Stay beside me."
They reached the third floor through a private staircase.
Two security guards stood outside Room 314.
Gabriel opened the door.
The suite was empty.
But on the bed lay a white envelope.
Inside was a hospital wristband.
LORENZO ROSSI.
A date from the previous week appeared beneath his name.
There was also a small digital recorder.
Matteo pressed play.
Static crackled.
Then a weak male voice filled the room.
"Matteo..."
Matteo stopped breathing.
"My son..."
His eyes filled with tears he refused to release.
Lorenzo continued.
"If you're hearing this, don't trust the wedding agreement."
A cough interrupted him.
"Richard Vale didn't act alone."
The recording crackled again.
May you like
Then came the sentence that made Matteo's face turn white.
"The person who betrayed me is still sitting at your family table."
