THE MIRROR THAT HEARD TOO MUCH — THE CASTELLANO BETRAYAL

Daniel stood when Luca entered the conference room.

“Please tell me you didn't authorize the clinic appointment,” Luca said.

Daniel glanced at the calendar on the table. He looked older than he had the night before.

“I approved a consultation,” he admitted.

“For whom?”

“For you.”

Luca pulled out a chair. “I never requested one.”

Daniel sat again. “Vittorio claimed you had agreed to a routine assessment following the wedding. He wanted medical documentation confirming you were fit to manage your holdings.”

“Why would Vittorio care about my fitness?”

Daniel looked toward the closed door.

“Because several Castellano trust agreements allow a temporary administrator if you become medically unable to act. The administrator must be named by you or by a valid power of attorney.”

Luca understood.

“If they made the forged authorization appear legitimate, Belini could act for me.”

“Yes.”

“And then?”

“Transfer voting control of the port companies to a Russo-managed holding firm.”

Emma, seated beside Marco, felt sick. Belini hadn't merely wanted assurances that she would be cared for. Someone had been preparing to use her name to seize Luca's businesses.

“How would they declare him unable to act?” Emma asked.

Daniel shook his head. “I was never told.”

Luca studied his face. “Do not protect them now.”

“I am trying to protect myself,” Daniel said quietly. “I gave Adriana access because she threatened to expose a financial error I concealed last year. A trust transfer I should have reported. It was negligence, and I panicked.”

“Then you tell the authorities about it,” Luca replied. “And about everything else.”

Daniel bowed his head.

Marco had already contacted an independent attorney and secured copies of the original medical records, trust documents, and access logs. The clinic confirmed there was an appointment, but no legitimate examination had been performed and no medical determination existed.

Luca asked the clinic to cancel the booking and preserve its records. Then he directed his attorney to notify the trust administrators that no action could be taken on any disputed documents.

It was the first moment Emma saw a practical path out of the danger.

Until Belini requested to speak with her alone.

Luca refused at first. Emma surprised him.

“I want to hear what she has to say.”

He allowed the meeting in the sunroom, with Mrs. Carter seated nearby.

Belini arrived in a red wool dress, without jewelry.

“I owe you more than an apology,” she began.

Emma rested her hands in her lap. “Then don't make excuses.”

Belini looked down.

“I shoved you because you saw the recorder. I thought if Luca learned I'd been listening, he'd end the engagement. I didn't know Adriana had installed the receiver or forged anything.”

“You knew spying on him was wrong.”

“Yes.”

“And you were willing to blame me.”

Belini nodded, her eyes wet.

“Why are you telling me this?” Emma asked.

“Because Vittorio isn't answering my calls. And because he told me that if Luca wouldn't cooperate on Sunday, he'd use another way to get control.”

Emma's pulse quickened.

“What other way?”