PART 4
Before I could ask another question, Monica noticed us.
Her smile disappeared.
Only for a second.
Then it returned.
She walked toward us.
“Victor, darling.”
“The coordinator is looking everywhere for you.”
Lucas moved behind me.
Monica glanced down at him.
Her smile tightened.
I slipped the USB into my jacket pocket.
“I need five minutes.”
She laughed lightly.
“For what?”
“Just five minutes.”
Then she looked at Lucas again.
“What did he tell you?”
I held her gaze.
“Grandfather-and-grandson things.”
She stopped smiling.
“This isn’t the time for games.”
“We have guests waiting.”
“The local press is here.”
“Your business partner is already seated.”
“You cannot leave me standing there.”
I answered quietly.
“I said five minutes.”
PART 5
She reached for my arm.
Lucas made a frightened sound.
Not loud.
Just enough.
He pressed himself against my leg.
I stepped between them.
“Lucas is tired.”
“Go back to the ballroom.”
Monica’s eyes narrowed.
“Victor.”
“Go to the ballroom.”
My voice was firm enough that the bridesmaids nearby suddenly became very interested in the flowers.
Monica stared at me.
Trying to calculate.
Then she smiled again.
“Fine.”
“Five minutes.”
She walked away.
I watched until she disappeared.
Then I took Lucas into the hotel room where I had changed.
Locked the door.
And opened my laptop.
PART 6
The USB contained one folder.
MONICA.
Nothing else.
I clicked.
Inside were dozens of files.
Screenshots.
Photographs.
Bank statements.
Scans.
Voice recordings.
Three videos.
I opened the newest video first.
Sofia appeared on the screen.
The camera angle was shaky.
She was filming from the hallway inside my house.
Monica’s voice came from the kitchen.
“I warned you to stop interfering.”
Sofia answered.
“My father has the right to know what you’re doing.”
Then came a sharp impact.
Something hit a table.
Sofia cried out.
My hands went cold.
Monica’s voice remained calm.
“By the time your father understands what’s happening, the house, the accounts, and everything he built will already be under my control.”
I froze.
Then someone pounded on the hotel door.
“Victor.”
Monica.
“Open the door.”
Lucas covered his ears.
