CHAPTER 2 – THE FATHER'S FIRST MOVE
Alexander didn't ask another question.
He stood slowly, his eyes fixed on the bruises darkening across his daughter's arms.
The room was silent except for the rain tapping against the apartment windows.
Finally, he looked at Elena.
"Did anyone clean these wounds?"
She shook her head.
"I wanted the injuries documented first."
A faint nod.
"Good."
Alexander pulled a business card from his wallet and made one phone call.
"Wake Dr. Harper."
He paused.
"No hospital."
"My daughter's location stays private."
Another pause.
"Bring a forensic photographer."
He ended the call.
Elena watched him carefully.
"You already know what you're doing."
"I know exactly what I'm doing."
Within twenty minutes, two black SUVs stopped outside the apartment building.
A private physician entered first.
Behind him came a legal investigator carrying professional cameras.
Every bruise...
Every fingerprint...
Every torn piece of Sofia's wedding dress...
Everything was photographed and preserved.
Dr. Harper finished the examination with a grim expression.
"Multiple contusions."
"Hairline fracture in her left wrist."
"Concussion symptoms."
He looked directly at Alexander.
"These weren't random blows."
"She was restrained."
Sofia closed her eyes.
"They held my arms while Carmen hit me."
Alexander remained perfectly still.
Only Elena noticed his hand tightening around the edge of the dining table.
The wood creaked.
Then his phone rang.
His chief of security.
"We've confirmed something."
"What?"
"The hotel deleted forty-seven minutes of security footage."
Alexander smiled.
It wasn't happiness.
May you like
It was the smile of a man who had just discovered proof of a conspiracy.
"They made their first mistake."
