CHAPTER 56

RECORDING 1:

Matteo: [irritated] Tommaso, I can't believe Marco rejected the Kurganskaya Bratva's proposal. This connection with human trafficking could bring us great fortune!

Tommaso: [taking a deep breath] Matteo, you know Marco has always been against these practices. He wasn't willing to tarnish the family name with something so abominable.

Matteo: [nervous] That's a weakness! Marco should have thought about the power and money it would bring to the family. He was acting like a sentimental fool.

Tommaso: [cautiously] Matteo, Marco was your brother. He had principles and values. We can't completely ignore that.

Matteo: [frustrated] I understand, but our family needs to evolve, Tommaso. We can't be stuck in the past. We need to look to the future, even if it means taking drastic measures.

RECORDING 18:

Tommaso: [whispering] Matteo, we're close to finalizing our plan. We just need to wait for the right moment.

Matteo: Yes, Tommaso. Once they test Vittorio's gift, it will be the perfect moment. They won't be able to escape.

Tommaso: [smirking sinisterly] I just need them to give us the signal, and everything will be done. We'll be free from Marco and Vittorio, and you will become the new head of the Amorielle family. Me, the Capo di tutti Capi.

RECORDING 32:

Matteo: Tommaso, my friend, today is a day of great victory for us.

Tommaso: Indeed, Matteo. Marco Amorielle's death and the possible death of Vittorio will make everyone respect us.

Matteo: Ah, but Vittorio is still alive. He should have been the main target.

Tommaso: [giving a cold laugh] I fully agree, Matteo. He was lucky to escape with his life, but his time is running out.

Matteo: He has no idea what's coming if he survives.

Tommaso: It will be a pleasure to see him suffer, Matteo. Let's show him the true meaning of despair.

Matteo: To the end of Vittorio Amorielle. May his death be slow and painful.

Tommaso: To the end of Vittorio Amorielle.

RECORDING 41:

Matteo: [putting the phone to his ear] Tommaso, my old friend, how are you?

Tommaso: [chuckles maliciously] Matteo, I'm better than ever. And you? How are the businesses going?

Matteo: [calculating smile] Ah, the businesses are thriving, Tommaso. But there's something that has been bothering me lately.

Tommaso: [interested] What would that be?

Matteo: Do you remember that fateful night? Vittorio's birthday, the day Marco was eliminated?

Tommaso: [sadistic laughter] Ah, how could I forget? It was a brilliant job, Matteo. A true gift for Vittorio.

Matteo: [mixed expression of pride and anger] Yes, a gift indeed. But Vittorio survived, and that has been bothering me. He should have gone with his father.

Tommaso: [still laughing] Don't worry, my friend. Vittorio will get what he deserves soon.

RECORDING 53:

Tommaso: Matteo, these numbers need to be higher. We're talking about thousands here, we can't settle for less.

Matteo: Tommaso, you know how difficult it is to secure a shipment of this magnitude. We can't risk losing everything because of excessively high numbers.

Tommaso: I don't care about the risks, Matteo. I want this operation to be big and profitable. The market is unstable, and prices are rising.

Matteo: [sighs] Tommaso, you know it's not that simple. We need to be realistic. After all, we're talking about human lives here.

RECORDING 87:

Matteo: Tommaso, we found out that Isabela Bianchi was investigating us and leaking information to Vittorio. She's too dangerous to be left free.

Tommaso: I agree, Matteo. We can't risk letting her interfere with our plans. I'll take care of her.

Matteo: Make sure there are no traces, Tommaso. We don't want this investigation turning against us.

RECORDING 105:

Matteo: Damn Vittorio! He shouldn't have survived that ambush!

Tommaso: That kid has some damn luck. He should've left with his father as planned.

Matteo: It was a mistake, Tommaso. A costly mistake. Now he's more determined than ever to uncover the truth.

Tommaso: I've been closely following his steps, and he's on the verge of discovering the truth.

Matteo: I don't want him to uncover the truth, Tommaso.

Tommaso: [still smiling] And he will, Matteo. I guarantee it. Our next move will hit him hard. He'll beg for mercy.

Matteo: That's exactly what I want to hear, Tommaso. Make sure the ambush is flawless this time. No failures.

RECORDING 120:

Matteo: [whispering to Tommaso] He went to Milan. We need to act before they find out too much. We can't let Vittorio jeopardize everything.

Tommaso: I'll take care of it, Matteo. I'll make sure they won't interfere with our business anymore. But I need something in return...

Matteo: Whatever you need...

Tommaso: Matteo, something isn't right about this woman, Ellis Barker. She seems to have some secret.

Matteo: I agree, Tommaso. Ever since she entered our lives, something has been bothering me. She's too young, too beautiful, too smart for Vittorio.

Tommaso: It's hard to believe it's just love. I've been consulting my sources, but they haven't found anything relevant. We need to uncover the truth about Ellis. Who she is, and what her true intentions are. She might be useful to us when we have to negotiate with Vittorio.

Matteo: Yes, killing her to divert Vittorio's attention from our business could be advantageous.

Tommaso: Yes, but first, I need you to find out everything you can. I want her in my hands.

Vittorio raised his hand, causing Isabela Bianchi, his investigator, to pause the recording. The mafia boss was sitting in an armchair, with a pensive and somber look on his face. He had listened to hours of recordings, revealing Matteo and Tommaso's true intentions.

The image of Ellis appeared in his mind, her face lighting up his heart. Vittorio placed his hand on his chest, feeling a mixture of pain and anger. He couldn't allow anything to happen to her. Isabela Bianchi looked at Vittorio, concerned about his reaction.

"Vittorio, are you okay?" she asked.

"I listened to hours of these recordings, Isabela. My uncle and Tommaso, the men I trusted... plotted my father's death, my own death, and now they want to kill Ellis," Vittorio replied with a voice filled with sadness and anger.

"I know it's hard to believe, Vittorio. But the truth is right in front of us. They betrayed your trust and are willing to do anything to protect their own interests," Isabela said, placing her hand on Vittorio's shoulder.

"You know, there's something in these recordings that doesn't make sense... They couldn't have predicted the exact moment I would take the car and go on the road with my father," Vittorio commented before lighting his cigar. He took a deep puff and continued, "There's someone else involved in this. Someone who knew more than we imagined."

"Yes, I tried to find out from the recordings, but they were very careful," Isabela replied.

"We need to find out who this person is and ensure they don't escape the consequences of their actions," Vittorio ordered.

"I will pass on the instructions to Enrico," Isabela informed, causing Vittorio to look at her intently. "He's the best for the job at the moment."

"I'm sorry for putting you in danger," Vittorio said.

"It comes with the job," Isabela replied, looking into Vittorio's eyes. "Melissa and I will disappear for a while, keep ourselves safe until we can come back and face all of this. I can't take unnecessary risks."

"Melissa will be furious," Vittorio commented, handing the cigar to the investigator. "I'm really concerned about your safety."

"No, actually, she's always wanted a second honeymoon. Now it's a good reason to take her to the Bahamas," Isabela explained before smoking. "Believe me, there are bigger things you need to worry about. There are thousands of people from Pedesina ready to be trafficked."

"I heard... My uncle Matteo is involved in human trafficking," Vittorio commented with a sad expression.

"Yes, Vittorio. That's right. Matteo is involved in it in partnership with Tommaso and the Russians," Isabela confirmed, handing some photos to Vittorio. "These photos are from the latest shipment that left last night. The people from Pedesina are suffering."

Vittorio looked at the photos, seeing the suffering on the faces of the victims.

"The next shipment will leave tonight. It would help if you resolved this soon. In addition to Ellis' situation..." Isabela said.

"Has there been any progress in the investigation about Ellis? Have they found anything?" Vittorio asked, concerned.

"Not yet, Vittorio," Isabela replied, looking at Vittorio seriously. "But it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out."

"They can't find out about Ellis, Isabela. Ellis is not of this world. She's not ready for this kind of thing. I don't want... I don't want

her to pay for something that..."

"I understand, Vittorio," Isabela replied, placing her hand on Vittorio's shoulder. "I'm doing everything I can to cover up the truth about Ellis. Don't worry."

"Thank you, Isabela," Vittorio thanked her.

"Can I ask a question?" Isabela requested, receiving a nod from Vittorio. "Why her? Of all the women you could have..."

"Because Ellis is different from all the others. Ellis is a person who is not from our world, and I like having someone by my side who doesn't have our view of things. It's like she's my barometer," Vittorio replied with a slight smile. "You should have seen her face when I explained about the transactions and how they are done. I know she listened, but she probably didn't approve of the method. Despite her always saying that she doesn't care about seeing me with others, she always reacts with anger... It's confusing."

"Oh, Vittorio, haven't you realized?" Isabela said, making a face. "She cares about you. Maybe she's not head over heels in love, but she cares. And you should value that."

"Well, I was going to value that... a few hours ago," Vittorio affirmed. "But then..."

"Then you ended up in your room with several recordings, notes, photos of trafficked people, and your lesbian investigator," Isabela completed. "Does she know?"

"What?" Vittorio asked.

"About all of this," Isabela clarified.

"No... She thinks we came here to enjoy our honeymoon," Vittorio replied. "And you're one of the women I do business with."

"Well, as a woman, I recommend that you clarify all of this because I wouldn't like Melissa being locked up for hours in a hotel room with a man, even if he was born without his little toy down there," Isabela said.

"Ah, I will miss your delicate advice," Vittorio said. He checked his phone and saw that there were only a few minutes left until five. He opened the banking app, started making the payments, and continued, "I think it's time for you to go. The corridors will soon be busy."

"No doubt," Isabela replied, watching the notification arrive on her phone. "It's always good doing business with you."

The two stood up and walked toward the exit of the mafia boss's suite. Vittorio shook Isabela's hands, concerned for her safety.

"Please, stay safe, Isabela. Promise me you'll take all necessary precautions," Vittorio pleaded.

"I promise, Vittorio. I'll come back as soon as it's safe," Isabela assured him with determination.

Vittorio nodded, knowing he needed to trust Isabela and her decision to disappear temporarily. He hugged her, wishing her safety.

"Take care. If you need anything, let me know," Vittorio said.

"You too. I hope you do whatever it takes to stop them," Isabela replied.

"They won't escape unpunished, Isabela. I will protect my wife and Pedesina at all costs. Matteo will now know who Vittorio Amorielle is."