Chapter 53 *
Third Person POV
Scarlett reached into her bag. Pulled out a thick folder. Slid it across the table.
"I looked into Adrian's case. He was attacked by a rival family. Spinal cord injury. The surgery failed. Caused a massive infection."
She tapped the folder.
"Severe spinal cord necrosis. You wanted to try more surgeries. But no top surgeon in the world will take the case."
Kalliope's hand moved slowly toward the folder. Her eyes never left Scarlett's face.
"These are his medical records. From the first ER visit to his most recent checkup." Scarlett's voice was calm. Matter-of-fact. "Check them. See if I missed anything."
She'd known this meeting was coming. As soon as Viviana had called. As soon as Mike mentioned the gold coin.
The Romano family only wanted one thing from her. The Santoro marriage.
So she'd prepared.
Kalliope opened the folder with shaking hands.
Her eyes scanned the first page. Then the next. Then the next.
Her face went pale.
Every detail was there. Every test result. Every specialist consultation. Every failed treatment.
But that wasn't all.
Tucked between the medical records were copies of driver's licenses. Background checks. Three generations of the Santoro family. Complete.
Kalliope's head snapped up.
"What is this?"
"If the records are accurate—and I think you'll find they are—there's one place that can help Adrian."
Scarlett's voice was steady.
"Bethesda Advanced Medical Research Facility."
Kalliope's breath caught.
Very few people knew about Bethesda AMRF. It was one of America's most classified medical institutions.
But she'd heard of it.
"They have the most advanced technology in the world. Experimental treatments. They serve high-ranking military officers. Government officials. Special operations personnel."
Scarlett paused.
"They have a classified research division. A lot of America's biotechnology that can't be made public? It's developed there."
Kalliope was staring at her. Really staring now.
"They have the best neurosurgeons in the world. They have experimental regenerative protein therapy that's only available to military and special departments."
Scarlett leaned forward slightly.
"If Adrian is admitted, there's a ninety percent chance he'll recover."
"Can he really be admitted?" Kalliope's voice was barely a whisper.
Scarlett's mouth curved. Just slightly.
"Yes. If I make the call."
Kalliope's hands clenched on the table.
"Who are you?"
Scarlett had known that question was coming.
"If you want Adrian admitted to Bethesda AMRF, you'll forget everything that happened in this room today."
Her voice wasn't threatening. Just stating facts.
Kalliope was a smart woman. She understood immediately.
She took a deep breath. Let it out slowly.
"If you can heal my son, you'll be a benefactor to the Santoro family. Whatever you ask for, I'll make it happen."
"Good." Scarlett relaxed slightly. "Here's how it works."
She pulled out another sheet of paper. Slid it across.
"Bethesda AMRF requires a clean background check. That's why I looked into your family. Three generations. Direct line and in-laws."
Kalliope nodded slowly. Still in shock.
"After FBI and DOD clearance, military medical transport will pick up Adrian. You won't be allowed to accompany him."
"What—"
"Bethesda AMRF has its own medical team. Twenty-four-seven care. These are people who've treated sitting presidents. He'll be in good hands."
Kalliope opened her mouth. Closed it. Swallowed the questions she wanted to ask.
This girl could access confidential information. Could request admission to a classified military facility. Could pull strings at the highest levels of government.
The Santoro family couldn't contain someone like this.
Shouldn't even try.
She sat back. Changed tactics.
"Medicine isn't an exact science. Even if the surgery fails..." She paused. "The arrangement is still off."
Scarlett's expression softened slightly.
"If the surgery fails, I'll compensate the Santoro family another way. I promised Viviana I'd take responsibility for the marriage arrangement. I keep my promises."
Smart and fair. Kalliope could work with this.
They talked for a few more minutes. Polite conversation. Professional courtesies.
Kalliope signaled for the check.
Scarlett pulled out her laptop. Started typing.
"Where are you headed?" Kalliope asked. Trying to be gracious. Build goodwill. "My driver can take you."
"You go ahead." Scarlett's eyes stayed on her screen. "I need to wipe the security footage."
Kalliope's stomach dropped.
So that's how she got the Santoro family records.
"The surveillance doesn't have audio," Kalliope said carefully. "You don't need to worry about the conversation content spreading."
Translation: I won't tell anyone what happened here.
Scarlett glanced up. Her expression was patient.
"You're underestimating intelligence agencies. Every major power has lip-reading specialists on payroll."
Kalliope felt ice settle in her chest.
She'd been right from the beginning.
Scarlett wasn't an ordinary girl.
She was something else entirely.
Viviana's three gold coins could purchase favors beyond imagination.
And the Romano family had thrown it all away.
Kalliope almost laughed. Almost felt pity.
Blind. They were completely blind.
They'd had a diamond and treated it like trash.
Fools. All of them.
They left separately.
Neither noticed the four men who entered the dining room after they'd gone.
"Positive ID?" The first man spoke quietly.
The second held up his phone. Showed a photograph.
Scarlett Romano. Crystal clear.
"Confirmed."