Veronica was never the kind to run.
But for the first time in a long while… she considered it.
The thought came fast, almost instinctively, as she stood in front of the bedroom mirror. All she had to do was walk out the door, get into a car, and just… leave.
Leave everything behind.
Leon.
Daniel.
This war she didn't even understand.
But the idea didn't last.
Because deep down, she knew.
It was already too late to pretend this had nothing to do with her.
"Great…" she muttered, running a hand through her hair. "Now I'm part of this."
She left the room with a decision.
If she was staying… then she was going to understand.
Leon was already in the office when she walked in.
This time, he didn't just look focused.
He looked… ready.
Like someone who had already decided the next moves.
He looked up when she entered.
"Did you sleep?"
"No."
"I figured."
Veronica walked up to the desk, straight to the point.
"You said you found connections between companies."
"Yes."
"I want to see."
Leon didn't hesitate. He picked up the tablet and turned it toward her.
"These three," he pointed, "canceled contracts with me in the last few days."
Veronica studied the names.
Nothing familiar at first glance.
"And what do they have in common?"
"Indirect ownership from the same fund."
She frowned.
"An investment fund?"
"Yes. But it doesn't appear publicly."
"So someone is hiding it."
"Exactly."
She crossed her arms.
"Did you trace who controls the fund?"
Leon paused slightly.
"Partially."
"What does that mean?"
He looked at her, as if measuring how far he should go.
"It means the name that came up… doesn't make sense."
"Why?"
"Because it's someone who shouldn't be involved."
Veronica felt her stomach tighten.
"Who?"
Leon looked away for a second.
"Your father."
The world seemed to… stop.
"What?"
She laughed.
A short, disbelieving laugh.
"No."
"I thought it was a mistake too."
"That's not possible."
"I know."
"My father is in the hospital, Leon!"
"I know."
"He can barely speak—how would he be involved in something like this?!"
Leon raised his hands slightly.
"I didn't say he's doing this now."
"Then what are you saying?"
He took a breath.
"I'm saying his name is linked to that fund… years ago."
Silence fell heavily.
Veronica stared at him, trying to process it.
"That doesn't make sense…"
"It makes more sense than it should."
She shook her head.
"No. You're wrong."
"I might be."
"This is wrong."
"That's why we need to verify."
She stepped back slightly, running a hand over her face.
"My father never mentioned anything about this."
"Maybe because he didn't want to."
"Or because it doesn't exist!"
Leon didn't respond.
And that made it worse.
Veronica turned her back for a moment.
Trying to organize her thoughts.
But it was impossible.
Because deep down…
A part of her was starting to doubt.
"And if…" she started, then stopped.
"Say it," Leon said.
She turned slowly.
"What if all of this started with my family?"
His expression didn't change.
"That's a possibility."
It hurt more than she expected.
"So I'm on the wrong side."
"No."
"No?"
"You are not your family."
She went quiet.
Because that sentence… hit harder than it should have.
"We need to go there."
The decision came out before she could overthink it.
Leon frowned.
"Go where?"
"To that company."
"Veronica—"
"You want answers. So do I."
He stayed silent for a few seconds.
"It's not safe."
"Neither is waiting."
More silence.
He was watching her.
Evaluating.
"You're not backing down, are you?"
She answered without hesitation:
"No."
Leon let out a quiet breath.
"Then let's go."
The building was discreet.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing that suggested anything important was inside.
But somehow… it felt like the right place.
Veronica stepped out of the car, looking around.
"You sure this is it?"
"That's what the data says."
"Doesn't look like much."
"That's the point."
They walked in.
The reception was too simple for a company like that.
A woman looked up.
"Can I help you?"
Leon answered calmly:
"We have a meeting."
"Name?"
He hesitated for a second.
"Alighieri."
The reaction was subtle.
But it was there.
"One moment."
She made a call.
Spoke quietly.
Hung up.
"You can go up."
Veronica exchanged a quick glance with Leon.
That was already strange.
Very strange.
The elevator felt too slow.
The silence inside it was uncomfortable.
"This feels off," Veronica said.
"Very."
"If this goes wrong—"
"It won't."
She let out a small, nervous laugh.
"You're very confident."
"It's not confidence."
"Then what is it?"
He looked straight ahead.
"Necessity."
The elevator doors opened.
A hallway.
Closed doors.
Silence.
A man was waiting at the end.
"Mr. Alighieri."
His voice was calm.
Controlled.
Veronica felt a chill run down her spine.
"We've been expecting you."
She looked at Leon.
"Expecting?"
The man gave a faint smile.
"Of course."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
"How did you know we were coming?" Leon asked.
The man shrugged.
"You took your time, actually."
Veronica's heart started racing.
"I think we should leave—"
"It's too late for that now," the man said.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
"What do you want?" Leon asked.
The man took a few steps forward.
"Just to talk."
"About what?"
He looked directly at Veronica.
"About your family."
The air seemed to disappear.
"What about my family?" she asked, her voice lower now.
The man smiled.
But there was no warmth in it.
"More than you can imagine."
Veronica felt the ground shift beneath her.
"I don't understand…"
"You will."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Because all of this…"
He gestured lightly around.
"Was never about money."
The silence grew dense.
Heavy.
Almost unbearable.
"Then what is it about?" Leon asked.
The man answered without hesitation.
"Debts."
Veronica frowned.
"We don't—"
"I'm not talking about money."
His gaze returned to her.
Cold.
Direct.
"I'm talking about things that were never paid."
A chill ran through her entire body.
Because in that moment…
She realized.
This wasn't just business.
It was personal.
Far more than she ever imagined.
And for the first time…
She was afraid of the truth.