Chapter 16 - WHAT CARLO BURIED
Carlo’s confession had been recorded without his knowledge.
Vittorio kept it as insurance.
If anyone exposed him, he could destroy Carlo Bellandi’s reputation too.
Matteo watched the full video alone.
His father admitted receiving Marco’s records.
He admitted refusing to report Vittorio.
He admitted ordering internal lawyers to settle suspicious accounts quietly.
Then he said he regretted it.
Too late for Marco.
Too late for Elena.
Too late for six years of lies.
Sofia sat beside Matteo.
“I didn’t know.”
“I believe you.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
He meant it.
That surprised him.
For days, he had learned that trust was not blindness.
Trust could survive scrutiny.
Carlo’s confession also contained a warning.
“I think Vittorio frightened Marco.”
Not killed.
Frightened.
Carlo had suspected an intimidation plan.
He had still stayed silent.
Matteo called Elena.
She arrived after Mia was asleep.
He offered to let her watch.
She shook her head.
“Tell me.”
So he did.
Every word.
When he finished, she sat quietly.
“Your father knew enough to help.”
“Yes.”
“And didn’t.”
“Yes.”
She cried without covering her face.
Matteo did not touch her.
Did not tell her it would be okay.
Did not offer money.
He sat there because leaving would have been easier.
After several minutes, Elena asked, “Will this be public?”
“If you want it to be.”
She looked at him.
“You would expose your father?”
“I would expose what happened.”
“That will hurt your company.”
“Yes.”
“Your family name.”
“Yes.”
She breathed out.
“Marco used to say powerful families survive because ordinary people pay the price of their silence.”
Matteo looked down.
“Then mine can pay its own price.”
The next morning, Bellandi Global announced an independent investigation into historic fraud and security misconduct.
Share prices dropped.
Commentators called Matteo reckless.
Board members threatened lawsuits.
Vittorio’s lawyers attacked Elena’s credibility.
Then something unexpected happened.
Former Bellandi employees began calling.
Not one.
May you like
Dozens.
And one of them said she knew exactly why Bianca had chosen the yellow room to threaten Elena.
