She Found Who Was Robbing the Don’s Syndicate—Then He Claimed Her Before Everyone
Chapter 8
The accusation spread through the district before sunrise.
By noon, Elena was called a traitor.
By evening, half the guards believed she had stolen the goods herself.
Lorenzo presented forged receipts showing Elena had altered shipping records.
Thomas testified that he had seen her near the warehouses.
Caruso claimed she had been secretly selling information.
The evidence looked convincing.
Too convincing.
Matteo sat at the head of a long table while his captains argued.
“Send her away.”
“She’s a danger.”
“She has poisoned the accounts.”
Elena stood alone at the opposite end.
Lorenzo watched her with satisfaction.
Then Matteo spoke.
“Enough.”
The room fell silent.
He looked at Elena.
“Did you steal from me?”
“No.”
“Did you sell information?”
“No.”
“Did you alter the books?”
“No.”
Matteo nodded.
“Then you’re staying.”
Lorenzo rose.
“You cannot be serious.”
“I am.”
“She has betrayed you.”
Matteo’s eyes moved toward him.
“Then why are you frightened?”
Lorenzo froze.
Matteo stood.
“If Elena were the thief, you would want her exposed.”
Lorenzo said nothing.
“But you want her dead.”
The room went silent.
Matteo walked toward him.
“Why?”
Lorenzo’s face tightened.
“You’re making an accusation without proof.”
Matteo smiled.
“No.”
He looked toward Elena.
“She has the proof.”
Elena stepped forward.
She placed a small packet on the table.
Inside were copies of letters.
Payments.
Names.
Dates.
And one final document.
A debt agreement.
Signed by Lorenzo.
Thomas.
Caruso.
And a wealthy merchant whose name Elena had never expected.
Gabriel Rinaldi.
The dead merchant.
Except the signature was dated six months after his supposed death.
Someone had been using his name.
Lorenzo stared at the paper.
Then he smiled.
“You still don’t understand.”
Elena frowned.
“What?”
Lorenzo looked toward Matteo.
“Your father wasn’t killed by Rinaldi.”
Matteo’s face changed.
“Who killed him?”
Lorenzo’s smile widened.
“The man who inherited everything.”
Silence filled the room.
Then Lorenzo turned toward Matteo.
“It was your mother.”
