The air in the penthouse shifted before Giulia even spoke.
Matteo saw it.
He didn’t need to see the phone.
He saw it in her face.
“What is it?” he asked, voice low.
Giulia didn’t answer immediately.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her phone before she turned it toward him.
Matteo took it.
Read.
Once.
Then again.
His expression didn’t c***k—but something darker settled beneath it.
“Where did you get this?” he asked.
“Unknown number.”
“That means nothing.”
“It means someone wants me to see it.”
Matteo handed the phone back, slower this time.
“That document is fake.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
Too quick.
Too certain.
Giulia noticed.
“Or you need it to be fake?” she asked.
His gaze sharpened. “Careful.”
“Why?” she shot back. “Because it’s inconvenient?”
“This is mani
