Chapter 47. The First Clue
560 Words
The following morning, Luca Romano arrived at Adrian's office carrying a thick confidential file.
"Sir."
Adrian looked up from his desk.
"The report on Elena Moretti."
Immediately, Adrian set aside the document he had been reading.
"Leave it."
Luca placed the file down.
"Most of it is public information. Successful fashion designer. Founder and CEO of Belléna. Moved to Singapore five years ago. Built a luxury empire."
Adrian nodded.
"Anything unusual?"
Luca hesitated.
"Actually... yes."
That immediately caught Adrian's attention.
"What is it?"
Luca opened the file.
"There is almost no information about the five years immediately after Elena disappeared from Italy."
Adrian frowned.
"No information?"
"Very little. It's as if someone intentionally erased part of her history."
The room became silent.
After Luca left, Adrian began reading the file himself.
Page after page.
Business achievements.
Awards.
Investments.
Charity foundations.
But something bothered him.
Five years ago.
The exact period after Elena vanished.
There was almost nothing.
And somehow—
That didn't make sense.
Meanwhile at Belléna Headquarters, Elena was attending a design meeting.
Her newest collection was already attracting attention from luxury buyers across Europe.
"Miss Moretti," one executive said excitedly, "the launch event is almost fully booked."
Elena smiled.
"Good."
Life felt stable again.
Safe.
For the first time in years.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Back at Velmont Royal Elementary, Isabella and Leonardo were becoming inseparable.
The teachers couldn't believe it.
The same arrogant boy who once bullied classmates now spent most of his time following Isabella around.
"Leonardo," Isabella said while coloring, "you shouldn't order people around."
Leonardo looked embarrassed.
"I'm trying."
The little girl nodded seriously.
"Good."
Nearby teachers exchanged amused glances.
Only Isabella could talk to Leonardo that way.
Later that afternoon, Adrian arrived early to pick up his son.
As he entered the school courtyard, he noticed Leonardo and Isabella sitting together beneath a tree.
Laughing.
Talking.
Looking surprisingly alike.
Again.
That same strange feeling hit him.
Then one teacher approached him politely.
"Mr. De Luca."
Adrian nodded.
The teacher smiled warmly.
"I have to say, your son has improved a lot since becoming friends with Isabella."
Adrian looked toward the children.
"She seems good for him."
"Very much so."
Then the teacher laughed softly.
"Honestly, they even have similar habits."
Adrian frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"Both are very protective of others. Both hate seeing people bullied. Even their expressions sometimes look identical."
The teacher didn't think much of her words.
But Adrian did.
His gaze remained fixed on the two children.
A strange uneasiness settled inside him.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Sofia received another piece of news she absolutely hated.
"Adrian requested information on Elena?"
The private investigator she secretly hired nodded.
"Yes."
For the first time in years—
Real fear appeared in Sofia's eyes.
Because Adrian wasn't merely curious anymore.
He was investigating.
And if Adrian ever discovered the truth—
Everything she had built would collapse.
Her marriage.
Her status.
Her lies.
Everything.
That night, Sofia stood alone on her balcony staring into the darkness.
Then she made a decision.
A dangerous one.
"If Elena won't leave Italy..."
Her eyes hardened.
"I'll make her leave."
And somewhere across Milan, completely unaware of Sofia's plans, Elena tucked Isabella into bed and kissed her forehead.
Not knowing that the war Sofia thought ended five years ago was about to begin again.
- Writer
