"She contacted the restaurant because she knew I had delivered documents there. I told her that if anything happened to me, she should look for the records connected to the Bellmont."
Victor understood.
Elena had not discovered the folder by accident in the way he had first imagined.
She had become involved because someone had asked for help.
Daniel had trusted his wife to keep searching.
His wife had trusted Elena.
And Elena had trusted a man she had every reason to fear.
Victor looked toward the door.
"Who else knows you are here?"
"Anthony. Paul. Maybe a few other people."
"Did they tell you why they were moving the money?"
Daniel hesitated.
"They said the money was being used to finance a separate operation. Something they didn't want connected to your legitimate businesses."
Victor's expression became colder.
"What operation?"
"I don't know all the details. But I heard them discussing property acquisitions, payments to officials, and a transport contract that was never supposed to exist."
Marcus returned with a bottle of water.
Daniel drank slowly.
Victor watched him.
"Can you prove what you're telling me?"
Daniel nodded.
"I kept a second copy of the accounts."
"Where?"
"With someone I trusted."
"Who?"
Daniel hesitated again.
Victor recognized the fear.
"Daniel, I am trying to help you."
Daniel looked directly at him.
"Are you?"
The question struck Victor harder than he expected.
For years, people had asked him for favors, protection, and money. They had flattered him, feared him, and tried to manipulate him.
Very few had ever questioned his intentions so directly.
Victor could have responded with anger.
Instead, he answered honestly.
"I don't know whether I deserve your trust. But I know that you were taken from your family by people who used my name. I intend to find out how far this goes."
Daniel studied him.
Then he nodded slowly.
"The second copy is with my lawyer. She has instructions to release it if I don't contact her."
Victor looked at Marcus.
"Get him out of here. Arrange medical attention and protection for his family."
Marcus nodded.
Daniel stood, unsteady on his feet.
Before leaving the room, he turned toward Victor.
"There is something else."
Victor waited.
"Anthony said you knew about the operation."
Victor's expression changed.
"What?"
"He said you had approved everything and would deny it if the investigation reached the police."
Victor stared at him.
"That is a lie."
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"I know that now."
Victor felt the full weight of the betrayal.
Anthony had not merely stolen money.
He had used Victor's reputation as a shield. He had convinced frightened employees that every threat came from the top of the organization, making it almost impossible for anyone to question his instructions.
Victor had created a system in which people feared him.
Anthony had learned how to use that fear.
And an innocent accountant had nearly paid for it with his life.
As Marcus escorted Daniel toward the exit, Victor remained beside the desk.
He looked at the scattered papers.
Then he took out his phone.
"Find Anthony Bell," he said.
Marcus's voice came from the corridor.
"We already know where he is."
"Where?"
"At the Bellmont."
Victor's eyes narrowed.
"Of course he is."
Anthony had returned to the place where he believed he still controlled the situation.
He had made a mistake.
He had forgotten that Victor Moretti might be dangerous, but he was not blind.
And now Victor had something more valuable than suspicion.
He had a witness.
Chapter 7: The Waitress Returns to the Table
That evening, the Bellmont was almost full.
The rain had stopped, leaving the streets wet and shining beneath the city lights. Guests arrived in expensive cars, greeted by staff who opened the doors and guided them toward their reservations.
The restaurant appeared as elegant and peaceful as ever.
But behind the service counter, Elena knew that something had changed.
The manager had not spoken to her since the previous night.
He avoided looking at her whenever she passed.
Two unfamiliar men had entered the restaurant shortly after five and asked for her by name. They claimed to be business associates, but Elena refused to meet them without the manager present.
When the manager finally appeared, the men left without explanation.
Elena had contacted Sarah Whitmore, the lawyer she trusted, and confirmed that the backup documents remained secure.
Sarah advised her not to confront anyone else and to contact her immediately if she received another threat.
Elena agreed.
She did not know whether Victor had found Daniel.
She did not know whether the investigation had progressed.
But she had decided that she would continue working until she had a clear reason to stop.
She could not allow fear to determine every decision she made.
At seven thirty, the restaurant doors opened.
Victor Moretti entered.
He wore the same black suit as the previous evening, though his tie was loosened slightly. Marcus followed him, accompanied by two security officers.
Victor looked across the dining room.
His gaze found Elena.
He approached her service station.
"Miss Carter."
She turned.
"Mr. Moretti."
"I need you to come to table seven."
"Am I in trouble?"
"No."
"Then what do you need?"
"Your help."
Elena stared at him.
That was not the answer she had expected.
Victor gestured toward the table.
"I would rather not discuss it in the middle of the dining room."
Elena glanced at the manager, who was watching them from the bar.
Then she picked up a clean order pad and followed Victor.
The same table had been reserved.
The same crystal glasses stood on the table.
The same two bodyguards occupied their positions behind him.
But this time, Victor had not ordered dinner.
A folder lay beside his place setting.