Chapter 2: The Man Nobody Knew
Chapter 2: The Man Nobody Knew
Matteo never looked at Ethan first.
He walked straight to Anna.
Every step echoed across the silent ballroom.
The cameras were still recording.
Nobody dared move.
Matteo stopped in front of his wife.
Without saying a word, he removed his black overcoat and gently wrapped it around her trembling shoulders.
His fingers brushed against the uneven strands of her hair.
He froze.
Only for a second.
Anna buried her face against his chest.
"I'm sorry..."
She could barely breathe.
"I ruined everything."
Matteo slowly lifted her chin.
"You ruined nothing."
His voice was calm.
Quiet.
But everyone heard it.
He knelt beside her and carefully picked up one of the locks of hair lying on the marble floor.
He held it in his palm.
As though it were priceless.
Then he stood.
Only then did he face Ethan Marlo.
"So..."
Matteo said softly.
"You're the man who thought this was funny."
Ethan laughed.
"And who exactly are you?"
"Her husband."
"Congratulations."
Ethan smirked.
"You married a waitress."
More laughter followed.
Matteo never reacted.
Instead...
He reached into his pocket.
Not for a weapon.
Not for a phone.
For a simple black invitation card.
He handed it to the event director.
The woman looked confused.
Until she read the signature.
Her face instantly lost all color.
She looked at Matteo.
Then back at the card.
Again.
Impossible.
The charity gala...
The ballroom...
The auction...
Every dollar that kept tonight alive...
Had been funded by one anonymous donor.
The signature on the card matched perfectly.
She whispered,
"Mr... Rossi?"
The room fell silent.
Even Ethan frowned.
"Who?"
The event director swallowed hard.
"The sole financial sponsor."
"The owner of Meridian Capital."
"The man who purchased controlling shares of this hotel chain six months ago."
Several executives stood up immediately.
One banker nearly dropped his wine glass.
Richard Marlo slowly turned toward Matteo.
May you like
For the first time that night...
The billionaire looked nervous.
