Chapter 510

Chapter 510:

“It’s not a corporate account. It’s not even in his name. It belongs to a shell company, supposedly legitimate, but completely empty. The bank and the company are both registered in the Cook Islands p>

My stomach dropped. “Meaning p>

“Meaning, he’s planning to disappear. The Cook Islands have no extradition treaty with us. Once he’s there, he’s untouchable. So’s the money p>

Five million euros, gone.

No wonder he’d pushed so hard for the joint venture. I thought he was passionate about our collaboration. Turns out, I was just a soft touch with deep pockets.

“Is he still in town p>

“Yes p>

“Then why the hell haven’t you arrested him p>

“Because he’s not planning to bolt just yet. He’s contacted several potential investors—people like you, who’ve heard of his name but don’t know what’s really going on—and he’s drawing them in, slowly. You’re the first to fall for his so-called joint venture, which is nothing more than a scam. We believe he’ll run once he’s pulled in around fifty million p>

My throat was dry and my hands were twitching from the caffeine and rising fury. “If you knew he was scamming me, why didn’t you warn me sooner p>

“We didn’t know for sure until he asked you to transfer funds to that account. We needed to confirm where the money went. We’re sorry p>

He didn’t sound remotely sorry.

“Can I get my money back p>

“Possibly. But not until the investigation is complete and he’s been formally charged and convicted p>

I wanted to call Fabrizio right then and there, demand answers, demand my money. But what good would that do? He’d know I knew, and he’d run.

“So what exactly am I supposed to do now p>

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“You and Monsieur Marchetti appear to be close. We’d like I cut him off with a glare.

“What are you trying to imply p>

He raised a hand in mock surrender. “I’m not implying anything improper. Just that he’s relaxed around you, speaks freely. We haven’t yet traced all the funds he’s misappropriated. If we can find out where they’ve gone, it’ll strengthen the case. Make it harder for him to wriggle out of the charges p>

I snorted. “Why don’t you bug his office and flat, then? I’m sure the French police have gear for that p>

Unbothered, Silva replied, “Madame Vance seems to have a cinematic view of police work. We can’t wiretap a suspect’s premises without a court order. There are procedures p>

“Sounds like a ‘you’ problem.” I stood. “I’ve got thinking to do. Goodbye p>

“We were hoping you’d help us p>

“Help you how? I can’t even help myself p>

I was already turning over ideas. How could I confront Fabrizio and get the money back without tipping him off? If he sensed I knew, he’d vanish. Simple as that.

I thought of calling Ashton—but he’d only ask why I hadn’t told him sooner, why I didn’t talk to him before investing, and probably follow it with, “Told you so. Never trusted that prick p>

“As I said, the money’s likely gone through several layers of accounts and landed in a foreign jurisdiction. We’ll have to convince them to return it, which is never easy. If they do, it’ll sit with our state’s asset management office while the legal dust settles p>

Message from Noa: Sometimes time flies by, dear ones! Have an excellent Tuesday. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (๑˃̵ᴗ p>