"Yes," Gianna interrupted quickly, her mind racing. "Yes, that's exactly what it was. I... I authorized it. I just forgot to mention it.""Oh," Sophia's relief was evident. "I apologize for bothering you then. I just wanted to verify—""No, you did the right thing checking," Gianna said, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Always verify large transactions. That's good protocol.""Thank you, Miss," Sophia moved toward the door. "Is there anything else you need?""No, that's all. Thank you, Sophia."The moment her secretary left, Gianna collapsed back into her chair, her professional composure crumbling. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars. That bastard had stolen one hundred and fifty thousand dollars from her company.How had he even accessed the account? She'd never given him authorization, never shared passwords or security information. He was supposed to be a nobody with no resources, no connections, no technical skills beyond making unwanted meals.But somehow he'd gotten into

Vincent didn't respond. He simply kept walking, his footsteps measured and controlled despite the storm of emotions churning inside him.Gianna stared after him, shocked by his apparent lack of remorse. No apology. No begging for forgiveness. No desperate attempts to explain himself. Just that infuriating calm dignity as he walked away from her accusations."Unbelievable," she muttered to herself. "Absolutely unbelievable."She was convinced now—completely convinced—that marrying Vincent had been a terrible mistake. A desperate decision made in a moment of crisis that she was now paying for dearly.But she couldn't make any rash moves. Couldn't file for divorce immediately or make the situation public. She'd been the one who'd advertised for a husband, who'd chosen Vincent from all the responses, who'd insisted on this arrangement despite her family's objections.If word got out that her carefully constructed marriage was falling apart because her husband had stolen from her? The ridi

Port 7 was located in the industrial district, a secured facility where high-value cargo was processed away from the main shipping terminals.By the time Vincent and Elisabetta arrived in her armored Mercedes, the sun was setting over the harbor.Three other appraisers were already present—serious-looking professionals with equipment cases and authentication tools.They eyed Vincent's modest appearance with barely concealed skepticism."This is the expert Nonna Elisabetta brought?" one of them muttered to his colleague. "He looks like he shops at thrift stores."Vincent ignored the comment, his attention focused on the large crate being carefully unloaded from a shipping container. The sculpture inside was supposedly worth eight million euros—a marble piece depicting Artemis from the late Renaissance period."Gentlemen," Elisabetta announced, "please begin your authentication process. Vincent will observe."The appraisers set up their equipment—UV lights, microscopes, chemical testing

"Yes!" Gianna insisted. "He's a criminal, Nonna! He stole money from my company—one hundred and fifty thousand dollars! And now he's here trying to—I don't know—con you somehow?""Gianna, perhaps you should sit down—""No, I need you to understand!" Gianna's words tumbled out in a rush. "Vincent is dangerous! He's manipulative! Whatever he told you, whatever he's trying to sell you, it's all lies!"Elisabetta set down her teacup with deliberate care. "Gianna, dear, you're making quite a scene.""Because you're in danger!" Gianna protested. "He's probably already figured out how much you're worth, already planning how to steal from you like he stole from me!""And how, exactly, did he steal from you?" Elisabetta asked calmly."He hacked my company accounts! Transferred money to himself! Then denied everything when I confronted him!" Gianna's voice cracked with emotion. "He's a thief, Nonna! A con artist! You have to be careful around him!"Elisabetta leaned back in her chair, studying

"Don't play stupid!" Gianna pulled out her phone, thrusting it toward him even though he was too far away to see the screen. "Another withdrawal! Another massive theft from my corporate account! Two hundred thousand dollars transferred to your account!""Gianna, I didn't—""Liar!" The word exploded from her. "I just got the alert! Right now! While I was driving home! You stole from me again!"Vincent descended the stairs slowly, his movements careful and controlled. "Let me see the notification.""Why? So you can pretend to be surprised?" Gianna's voice cracked. "So you can act innocent while my money sits in your account?""I need to see the transaction details," Vincent said firmly."No!" Gianna clutched her phone to her chest. "You don't get to see anything! You just get to return my money!""I can't return money I didn't take.""Stop lying!" Gianna screamed. "Just stop lying! I know it was you! The transaction has your name on it! Your account! Just like the last one!""Which shou