Chapter 10 - THE RIGHT-HAND MAN WHO BETRAYED HIM
Daniel Russo had been Luca Moretti's closest associate for nineteen years.
He knew how Luca thought.
He knew when to speak and when silence was safer.
He knew the details of every major business decision.
And now the recovered letters suggested he'd been secretly working for Martin Bell.
Luca didn't confront him immediately.
He called independent counsel.
He secured financial records.
He cooperated with investigators examining the Bennett transaction.
And he made sure Emma, Noah, and their grandmother had access to appropriate protection and legal assistance.
Then he requested a meeting with Daniel.
They sat across from each other in Luca's private office.
Daniel smiled.
"Boss, what's going on?"
Luca studied him.
"Have you spoken to Martin Bell recently?"
Daniel's smile disappeared.
"Why?"
"Answer me."
He hesitated.
"Business matters."
"What business?"
"The acquisition."
Luca nodded slowly.
"Did you know Adrian was alive?"
Daniel went still.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then he whispered, "Who told you?"
Luca felt the last piece of trust break.
"You knew."
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"Luca, I can explain."
"Then explain."
Daniel took a shaky breath.
"Martin had leverage over me."
"What leverage?"
"My daughter."
Luca frowned.
"Your daughter?"
Daniel nodded.
"She was receiving treatment at the Greenwich clinic."
Luca's expression changed.
"Medical treatment?"
"Yes."
Daniel continued.
"Martin controlled the funding. He threatened to stop paying if I refused to cooperate."
Luca stared at him.
Daniel's daughter was seventeen.
She had been seriously ill for years.
Luca had paid for several treatments himself.
"Why didn't you come to me?"
Daniel looked devastated.
"Because Martin said he'd hurt her."
Luca closed his eyes.
Another person trapped through fear.
Another betrayal disguised as protection.
"Did you help hide Adrian?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
"Did you know what was happening to Emma?"
"No."
Luca studied him.
"Did you know Bianca planned to frame her?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Not until last week."
"And you said nothing?"
He lowered his head.
"I was afraid."
Luca stood.
"Fear doesn't erase responsibility."
Daniel nodded.
"I know."
The conversation ended when investigators arrived to interview Daniel.
He agreed to cooperate through his attorney.
Within days, he provided financial records connecting Martin Bell, Sophia, and Bianca to the fraudulent transactions.
But his testimony also revealed something unexpected.
Bianca hadn't been the original mastermind.
She had been recruited after her father suffered a financial collapse.
Martin promised to erase the family's debts if she married Luca and helped secure the Bennett acquisition.
Luca felt sick.
The woman he'd planned to marry had treated their relationship like a business arrangement.
Then Daniel revealed one final detail.
"Bianca wasn't supposed to marry you for love."
Luca stared.
"I understand that."
Daniel shook his head.
"No. You don't."
He took a breath.
"Martin planned to have your marriage annulled after the acquisition."
Luca frowned.
"Why?"
"Because once the assets were transferred, Bianca was supposed to marry someone else."
"Who?"
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"Adrian."
Luca went completely still.
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His brother had been hidden for five years.
And now the conspirators planned to use him again.
