The morning air on the island felt deceptively peaceful. Waves rolled gently against the shore.Tourists laughed near cafés. Music drifted from beach speakers. But inside Alessandro’s suite, none of it reached him anymore.He stood fully dressed, unmoving, staring at his reflection again. His face had changed over the past days. Not physically.But something behind his eyes had shifted. Restlessness had replaced confidence. Tension had replaced control.He adjusted his cuff slowly. Then stopped. Because his hands were shaking again. Alessandro exhaled sharply.“Get a grip.”The words sounded weak even to himself. His phone rang. He already knew who it was before looking. The lawyer. He answered immediately.“What?” The lawyer didn’t waste time.“They moved again.” Alessandro’s expression hardened.“Who moved?”“The investigators.”Silence. Then Alessandro’s voice dropped. “Where?”The lawyer hesitated. “That’s the problem.”Alessandro’s patience snapped instantly. “What problem?”“Th

The following morning arrived with gray clouds hanging over the island.The weather matched Alessandro's mood perfectly. Heavy.Oppressive. Uncomfortable.He stood near the window of his suite, staring toward the ocean.The waves rolled endlessly across the water.Calm. Steady. Predictable. Unlike his life.His phone rested on the table behind him. Silent for now. That silence no longer comforted him.Now it worried him. Because silence meant things were happening without his knowledge.And lately, that possibility terrified him. The phone suddenly vibrated. Alessandro immediately turned.The lawyer. Again. He answered before the second ring."What is it?" The lawyer sounded tense."We need to discuss something."Alessandro rubbed his forehead."Another problem?""Potentially." That answer instantly worsened his mood."What happened?" The lawyer hesitated.Then answered carefully. "The associate asked to meet me privately."Silence followed. Dangerous silence. Alessandro slowly sat do

The storm continued through the night. Heavy rain pounded the island relentlessly.bLightning occasionally illuminated the dark ocean.Most people remained inside their rooms. Most businesses closed earlier than usual. But sleep refused to visit Alessandro.He stood beside the window long after midnight. His reflection stared back at him. Tired. Frustrated.Worried. The confident man who once controlled every situation seemed to be disappearing.And he hated it. His phone rested in his hand. The associate's last words continued echoing inside his mind.I can't. Those two words felt more dangerous than any evidence.Because evidence needed interpretation. People only needed fear. And fear was spreading rapidly. His phone suddenly vibrated.A message from the lawyer. We need to meet tomorrow morning. Urgent. Alessandro's jaw tightened.Everything seemed urgent these days. Everything seemed dangerous. He typed a short reply. Fine.Then tossed the phone onto the couch. For the first time i

The following morning, Alessandro woke with a pounding headache.Sleep had become nearly impossible. Every night brought the same questions. Every morning brought the same fear.The investigation. The associate. The evidence. The rumors. Everything continued tightening around him like a noose.He stood beside the window overlooking the ocean. The sunrise painted the water gold.Normally, the view helped him relax. Today, it did nothing. His phone suddenly rang.The lawyer. Alessandro answered immediately."What happened?" The lawyer sounded exhausted."I met with him." Alessandro's eyes narrowed."The associate?""Yes.""And?" Several seconds passed.Too many seconds. Alessandro already hated the answer before hearing it. The lawyer finally spoke."He's thinking about cooperating."The words hit like a truck. For a moment, Alessandro said nothing. His entire body froze. Then he slowly asked,"Did he say that directly?""No.""But he hinted at it." Silence filled the suite.A dangerous

The morning arrived too brightly for someone like Alessandro.Sunlight poured into the suite, sharp and unforgiving.He hadn’t slept.Again.His suit from the previous night was still on him, slightly wrinkled, collar loosened, expression hardened by exhaustion.He stood near the window, phone in hand, staring at a message he had reread too many times.“He’s preparing for something.”The lawyer’s words from last night still lingered in his mind like a stain.Preparing for something. That wasn’t betrayal confirmed. But it was close enough to feel like it.His phone vibrated again. The lawyer. Alessandro answered instantly.“What now?”The lawyer didn’t waste time.“I met him again this morning.” Silence sharpened instantly.“The associate?”“Yes.”Alessandro’s grip tightened.“And?”Another pause. Too long.“He’s different.” Alessandro exhaled slowly.“I already know that. Get to the point.” The lawyer lowered his voice.“He asked about protection.” That made Alessandro freeze.“Protect