CHAPTER 6 – THE TRUTH INSIDE THE SAFE
CHAPTER 6 – THE TRUTH INSIDE THE SAFE
Lily stared at the television camera hidden in the ceiling corner.
"They can see us."
Mason nodded grimly.
"They've always been able to."
Before either of them could move...
A mechanical click echoed through the office.
One entire bookshelf slowly slid aside.
Behind it stood a massive steel safe.
The combination dial was already turning by itself.
Finally...
The heavy door swung open.
Inside lay dozens of thick folders.
Stacks of cash.
Several passports.
And one black leather journal.
Lily picked it up.
The cover read:
Anthony Moretti – Private Records
"Vincent's father," Mason whispered.
Lily carefully opened the journal.
The first page contained only one sentence.
If my sons ever become enemies, everything below must be made public.
Page after page revealed decades of hidden accounts, bribery, blackmail, and secret business partners.
But near the end...
Lily stopped.
There was an envelope taped inside.
Across the front were four handwritten words.
Only Vincent must read.
Before Mason could reach it—
BANG!
The office door exploded inward.
Masked gunmen stormed inside.
"Don't move!"
Mason shoved Lily behind the safe as bullets tore through the room.
He returned fire.
Glass shattered.
Ancient bottles exploded.
Smoke filled the office.
One attacker rushed toward the safe.
Lily instinctively grabbed the leather journal and the sealed envelope.
She squeezed through a narrow gap behind the sliding bookshelf.
There was another hidden passage.
She disappeared into darkness just as the attackers reached the safe.
"She's gone!"
"Find the girl!"
Meanwhile...
Upstairs, Carmine's computer suddenly emitted a loud alert.
"The mansion network has been hacked."
Every security camera began shutting down one after another.
Front gate.
Offline.
Garage.
Offline.
Hallways.
Offline.
Only one camera remained active.
The hidden office.
Everyone watched live as masked men searched frantically.
But Lily was nowhere to be seen.
Marco's voice came through the speakers again.
"She's smarter than I expected."
Vincent's jaw tightened.
"You planned every step."
Marco laughed.
"No."
"I planned for you."
"I didn't plan for a little girl."
Just then...
A frightened housemaid rushed into the ballroom.
"Mr. Moretti!"
"What?"
"The bride..."
"What about Celeste?"
"She's disappeared."
Vincent turned sharply.
"Impossible."
"The bridal suite is empty."
Carmine looked toward the open balcony doors.
The wedding veil fluttered in the night breeze.
Only one thing remained on the dressing table.
Celeste's diamond engagement ring.
Underneath it...
A handwritten note.
Vincent unfolded it slowly.
It read:
If you want Lily alive... come alone.
At the bottom was a familiar signature.
May you like
— Marco
TO BE CONTINUED…
