Chapter 3

Adriana's POV

At three in the afternoon, I sat in the family safe house with four phones spread across the table.

Each one waiting for crucial information.

The first phone rang. Tommy's voice sounded tense.

"Boss, we have a major problem."

"What problem?"

"Willowbrook suddenly went into lockdown. My medical contact was emergency-transferred last night—they said it was a direct order from high-level government officials."

I gripped the phone tighter. "High-level government?"

"Yes. And the entire medical facility has gone into complete lockdown. No outsiders are allowed anywhere near it."

The second phone immediately started ringing. Financial expert Vincent.

"Adriana, there's been unusual activity in Marco's accounts."

"What kind of activity?"

"Large fund transfers last night, like someone destroying evidence. Several offshore accounts were emptied and moved to places we can't trace."

My blood began to boil. "He knows I'm investigating him."

The third phone rang too. Medical network contact Andrea's voice was barely a whisper.

"Adriana, I can't help you anymore."

"Why not?"

"High-level government pressure. They're forbidding us from approaching that facility. Anyone who keeps asking questions risks treason charges."

I hung up all the phones and stared at them blankly.

Someone was blocking me. Someone had moved faster than I had.

Marco was already alert.

At six in the evening, I snuck into his office while Marco was out.

This time I had a clear target: find specific information about Willowbrook.

The safe had been reorganized. There was a new encrypted USB drive inside, but most of the original documents were gone.

Paper fragments littered the floor, with obvious signs of destruction.

I crouched down to piece together the scraps. I could only make out a few letters: "...brook...3rd floor...room..."

Floor and room information!

Just as I was trying to find more fragments, I heard the front door opening downstairs.

Marco had come home early.

I quickly cleaned up the evidence, my heart pounding. I still hadn't gotten the crucial information.

He was monitoring my movements.

At the dinner table, Bianca looked weaker than yesterday. Pale complexion, hands trembling slightly.

I decided to make one final probe.

"Sweetheart, you're looking more and more fragile," I gently touched her hand. "Maybe we need to take you to a better medical center."

Marco immediately put down his fork: "She's fine. She doesn't need outside doctors."

"But she clearly needs professional treatment." I pressed on. "If she needs special care, we should go to the best medical center. I know many top doctors..."

"Adriana." Marco's voice turned cold. "Don't bring this up again."

Bianca kept her head down, not daring to say anything.

I had my confirmation. He was hiding crucial information.

And he was terrified of what I might discover.

At midnight, only Marco and I remained in the living room.

Bianca had long since gone to her room.

I sat on the sofa with a glass of red wine in my hand. But my other hand had already found the dagger at my waist.

"Marco, let's talk."

"About what?" He looked nervous.

I laid my cards on the table.

"I know Bianca is Senator Sterling's daughter."

Marco's face went white instantly. "What are you talking about?"

"I also know she has a blood disorder and needs regular transfusions." I stood up and slowly walked toward him. "Now tell me where you've hidden my daughter."

"You're insane!" Marco tried to stand up. "This IS our daughter!"

I drew the dagger.

The sharp blade gleamed coldly in the lamplight.

"When I left ten years ago, you saw what this blade could do." My voice was ice-cold, like it came from hell itself. "Give me the exact address."

Marco stepped back, sweat beading on his forehead. But he was still being stubborn.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Lucia is our daughter, she..."

I stepped in front of him and pressed the blade to his throat.

"You have three seconds to tell the truth."

"Adriana, calm down..."

I lightly drew the blade across his neck. A drop of blood seeped out.

"Where is my daughter?" My voice grew more dangerous. "Don't make me use Marcelli family methods to make you talk!"

Marco felt the threat of death. His body was shaking.

But he still didn't speak.

I increased the pressure. The blade cut deeper into his skin.

"Marco, this is your last chance." The smell of blood filled the air. "I can make you die painfully, or I can make it quick. Choose."

"I..." Marco's voice trembled. "I can't say... they'll kill me..."

"They?" I narrowed my eyes. "Sterling? Or someone else?"

"Please, Adriana... I really can't say..."

"Then you die."

I applied pressure, ready to slice his throat.

Just then, a loud crash came from upstairs.

Followed by Bianca's agonized scream.

Marco and I both looked up toward the stairs.

Something had happened to her.