Back in the main hall, panic began to spread among the wealthy business partners and family members.
Marco stood at the center of the room and looked at every face in the large crowd.
His younger stepbrother Julian walked up to him with a worried look on his face.
Julian: Marco, this is terrible, but we should let the guests go home now.
Marco: Nobody leaves this room until we find out who brought that man into my home.
Julian shifted his weight uncomfortably and adjusted the dark blue tie around his white collar.
Marco noticed that Julian’s hands were shaking slightly as he held his glass of water.
Julian had recently filed for a heavy loan against the family business without Marco’s approval.
If Marco or his son passed away, the entire estate and trust fund would go to Julian.
Marco narrowed his eyes as he remembered the financial documents his divorce lawyer had mentioned last month.
A security officer walked into the hall holding a leather wallet found in the staff locker room.
The wallet contained fake identification cards alongside a receipt for a large cash wire transfer.
Guard: Mr. Moretti, we found this in the locker used by the missing pastry chef.
Marco: Read the name on the wire transfer receipt out loud right now.
The officer looked at the paper carefully under the light of the grand chandelier overhead.
Guard: The money was sent from a private bank account owned by Julian Moretti.
The crowd gasped loudly as every head turned to look directly at Marco’s younger brother.
Julian backed away toward the open patio doors with a pale, frightened expression on his face.
Julian: That paper is a lie, Marco! Someone is trying to frame me!
Marco: You put my son’s life in danger for an inheritance!
Julian tried to turn around and run out onto the dark garden terrace to escape security.
Two large security officers blocked his path and grabbed both of his arms firmly at once.
They held him in place while the local police cars pulled up outside with flashing lights.
Julian dropped his head in defeat as the reality of his terrible actions finally caught up.