Chapter 16 - THE WAR AGAINST MORETTI
The underground tunnel had not been opened in fifteen years.
The entrance was hidden behind shelves of ancient wine bottles.
A secret passage.
Built by Alejandro’s father.
A place designed for emergencies.
A place designed to hide things.
And tonight…
It revealed the truth.
Alejandro walked first.
Bruno followed.
Daniel stayed close.
Behind them, Olivia held Emma’s hand.
“No.”
Alejandro turned.
“You stay here.”
Olivia shook her head.
“No.”
Her voice surprised everyone.
“She saved your life.”
She looked at Emma.
“She saved all of us.”
Then she looked back.
“If she is part of this, I’m not leaving her alone.”
Alejandro studied her.
Then nodded.
They entered together.
The tunnel smelled like dust and old stone.
Every step echoed.
The deeper they went, the colder it became.
Finally, they reached a steel door.
No handle.
Only a fingerprint scanner.
Alejandro placed his hand.
The door opened.
Inside was a room frozen in time.
Photographs covered the walls.
Documents filled the shelves.
And in the center…
A small bed.
A child’s bed.
Emma slowly stepped forward.
“Someone lived here.”
Alejandro looked around.
His heart broke.
Because the room was filled with things Kiara loved.
A stuffed bear.
A pink blanket.
A drawing.
A family.
A father.
A daughter.
A life stolen.
Then a voice came from the darkness.
“You always were too sentimental, Alejandro.”
Everyone turned.
Victor Moretti stepped out.
Older.
Calmer.
Smiling.
Bruno raised his gun.
Victor laughed.
“Still loyal.”
Alejandro stared at him.
“How long?”
Victor tilted his head.
“How long what?”
“How long did you lie to me?”
Victor sighed.
“Years.”
The answer was so simple that it was worse.
Alejandro walked closer.
“You took my daughter.”
Victor looked at Emma.
“No.”
He smiled.
“I saved your daughter.”
Nobody understood.
Alejandro’s eyes narrowed.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Victor stepped closer.
“You think this empire was safe?”
“You think your enemies would have spared Kiara?”
Alejandro’s voice became dangerous.
“You arranged the crash.”
Victor did not deny it.
“I arranged a disappearance.”
A pause.
“Not a death.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“You manipulated everyone.”
Victor smiled.
“Yes.”
“You made Alejandro believe his daughter was gone.”
“Yes.”
“You poisoned him.”
Victor looked amused.
“No.”
Everyone froze.
Victor looked at Helena.
“She failed.”
The room became silent.
Helena stepped out from behind the shadows.
Alejandro turned.
“You?”
Helena looked away.
“I was trying to stop him.”
Nobody believed her.
Victor laughed.
“She always wanted to be the hero.”
He looked at Alejandro.
“But heroes are useless when they are afraid.”
Suddenly, the lights went off.
Gunfire exploded.
Everyone dropped.
The tunnel filled with smoke.
When the emergency lights returned…
Victor was gone.
And Emma was missing.
Alejandro turned.
May you like
His voice became something nobody had ever heard.
“Find my daughter.”
