Chapter 72 The Secret Under the Crust

Chapter 72 The Secret Under the Crust
Alexander stood in the main foyer when a security guard approached him. The man held a square box wrapped in bright gold paper and tied with a thick, silk ribbon.
"Delivery for you, sir," the guard said, handing it over. "Came from a private courier. Said it was a gift."
Alexander’s heart skipped a beat. It looked just like the package Isabella had promised. He grabbed the box, feeling the slight warmth of the baked goods inside.
"Someone has a secret admirer!"
Alexander jumped slightly at the booming voice behind him as Vincent Harrington walked down the hallway, a wide grin on his face, looking relaxed with his hands tucked into his pockets.
Since Alexander had started working for him, Vincent had been nothing but good to him. He hadn't seen a single trace of the "devil" Hilson had warned him about.
"It’s just a thank-you gift, sir," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Nonsense. Nobody sends a box that pretty unless they’re in love," Vincent teased, reaching out and pulling the ribbon loose before Alexander could protest. He flipped the lid open, and the scent of fresh blueberries filled the air. "Muffins! And they’re still warm. Which girl is this thoughtful, Alex?"
Without waiting for an answer, Vincent picked a muffin from the top and took a huge bite. "Mmm. She’s a keeper."
Alexander forced a tight smile. "I should probably take these to my office, sir. I don't want them to go stale in the hallway."
"Go on, then," Vincent laughed, waving him off. "Enjoy your romance. I’ll be in my study if you need me."
Alexander didn't walk to his room; he nearly ran. Once inside, he leaned against the door, exhaling a breath he felt like he’d been holding for a century.
Then placed the box on his desk and carefully lifted the muffin tray out, setting it aside.
His breath hitched.
Beneath the cardboard divider was a thick, heavy stack of papers.
"Oh, Bella," he whispered. "What did you find?"
His hands shook as he pulled out the first file, his eyes widening. It was a contract—a formal agreement for the "restructuring" of Damiano assets, signed in bold ink by Dorian Vane and Lorenzo Grusso. He flipped to the next page. Bank records. Millions of dollars were being siphoned out of Salvatore’s accounts every single week.
Then, he saw the photos.
He felt a wave of nausea as he looked at Lorenzo and Bianca. They were in an intimate embrace. In one photo, Lorenzo was whispering into her ear while his hand was possessively on her stomach.
"The baby," Alexander muttered. "It might not be for Luca. It might be Lorenzo's."
Finally, he reached a slim, blue folder holding a single sheet of paper. It was a report on Kelan's death. At the bottom, a handwritten note from Dorian was clipped to the page: The boy knows too much. Eliminate the liability. Make it look like a street hit.
Alexander sank into his chair. The extent of the betrayal was overwhelming. Isabella wasn't just married to a jerk; she was living among a nest of vipers. They were planning to drain Salvatore dry and then maybe eliminate the rest of the family.

"Are you really kicking me out just because your fiancée is coming back?"
The voice came from the hallway. It was Valeria. She stepped into Vincent’s office, her designer bags packed and ready for her next private investigation assignment.
"I’m not kicking you out," Vincent’s voice replied, sounding playful. "I just think the house is too small for two women who think they run the world. Unless you want me to marry you instead?"
Valeria let out a loud laugh. "Don't be gross, Vinnie. Just admit you’ll miss me."
"I will," Vincent said. "Alexander! Get in here! I want you to drive my sister to the airfield!"
Alexander didn't hear him. He was staring at a map of the Damiano security protocols that Lorenzo had leaked to Dorian. He was paralyzed by the sheer detail of the betrayal.
"Alexander!" Vincent called again, his voice getting an edge of frustration.
"Don't stress yourself, Vinnie," Valeria said. "He’s probably stuffing his face with those muffins. I’ll go find him."
Alexander heard the click of heels on the floor. He panicked and started grabbing the papers, trying to shove them back into the box, but there were too many. He was still scrambling when Valeria appeared in the doorway.
"What are you doing in here that’s so important you can't hear my brother shouting?" she asked.
Alexander jumped, nearly knocking over his chair. He tossed a manila folder onto the pile of photos, but he was too late. Valeria’s eyes were already fixed on the desk. She walked in casually, picked up a muffin, and took a bite.
"What the hell are those?" she asked bluntly, pointing to the scattered records. "You look like you just saw a ghost, Alex. Or like you’re stealing trade secrets."
"It’s nothing," Alexander stammered. "Just... some old records I was looking at. Nothing to worry about, Valeria. You should go, I’ll meet you at the car in five minutes."
She stayed still, leaning over the desk with sharp eyes. "I’m an investigator, Alexander. I know what 'nothing' looks like, and this isn't it." She held out her hand, her voice turning calm and authoritative. "Hand them over. Now."
"Valeria, please—"
"I won't ask again," she said firmly. "Hand me the files, or I'll go get Vincent. And I don't think you want him seeing whatever this is."
Alexander felt the blood drain from his face as he slowly pushed the stack of papers across the desk.
Valeria didn't leave. She sat down on the small sofa by the window and started going through the documents. Alexander stood there, frozen, watching her face. She examined the bank records first, her brow furrowing. Then she saw the photos of Lorenzo and Bianca.
She stopped. Her entire body went rigid.
"Valeria?" Alexander asked softly.
She didn't respond. Instead, she flipped open the file on Kelan and read the order to eliminate him. She looked up at Alexander, her face a mix of horror and deep pain.
"How did you get these?" she whispered, her voice shaking. "Are you a spy? Are you trying to destroy the Damianos?"
Alexander dropped to his knees in front of her. "No! No, I’m trying to save them! I was their bodyguard, Valeria. I'm in love with Isabella, and Luca... he was forced into that marriage with Bianca. She trapped him, and Isabella is living in a house with a man who is planning to destroy her father. I’m just trying to get her out!"
Valeria stared at him, then looked back down at the photo of Bianca.
"Luca was right," she whispered. "He told me she was dangerous. He told me he didn't want her."
Alexander’s eyes widened. "Wait. You... you know Luca?"
Valeria looked at him, her lips trembling. "I was the private investigator he hired to work on this Kelan's case."
The silence in the room was heavy.
Alexander felt like the floor had opened under him.
The woman Luca loved was sitting right here. She was a Harrington.
"We need to talk," Valeria said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She stood up, clutching the documents to her chest. "But not here. I’m taking these. I need to verify them. I have to use my own sources to make sure this evidence is solid."
"You can't take them!" Alexander hissed. "If Vincent finds out—"
"Vincent won't find out," she snapped. "Not yet. For now, you're going to drive me to my destination as he asked. We're going to pretend everything is normal. But when I call you, you answer. Do you understand?"
He nodded slowly, feeling a strange mix of fear and hope. He had found an ally, but she was the sister of the man he was supposed to fear.
"Let's go," Valeria said, smoothing her skirt.
They left the room together in complete silence. Alexander kept his eyes on her back, wondering if he had just saved Isabella or if he had just set off a bomb that could kill them all.