Scorned and Reborn

The moment Mary arrived in Italy, she was greeted by a luxurious VIP suite in Milan's most exclusive hotel. The view from her balcony was everything she needed to lift her spirits. The ocean stretched endlessly, its waves shimmering under the Italian sun. She felt a strange comfort in the rhythm of the waves, a reminder of freedom and power she seldom felt back in London. She lingered on the balcony, taking in the peaceful horizon before turning in for the night, determined to handle the day's task without faltering.

The next morning, she dressed sharply for her meeting with the accountant who managed the funds her father-in-law had left in her name. He was a stern man, carefully dressed, with eyes that assessed her quickly and then shifted away. They met in a discreet café near the financial district, her bodyguard sitting a few tables away, scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble. After pleasantries, the accountant leaned forward, his voice low.

"Mrs. Loven, your father-in-law was a cautious and wise man. He knew this sum couldn't stay in London without raising suspicions. The money was substantial, enough to raise the eyebrows of the authorities. So, he established this account here in Italy, under your name," he explained, his voice barely audible over the hum of the café. 

"He chose you as the account holder because… well, as his daughter-in-law, you'd arouse less scrutiny."

Mary's Mind swirled. How much did her father-in-law trust her? Or was she simply the most convenient option?

He continued, "This is a considerable amount, Mrs. Mary, and given the nature of how it was procured, we'll need to be discreet. We will meet tonight at the bank. I'll text you the address later, and you'll need to be there at 11:00 p.m. sharp. The funds will be delivered to you in cash."

She nodded, trying to maintain her composure. 

"Understood. I'll be there."

As she turned to leave, he added, "And remember, Mrs. Mary, discretion is essential. Only those you trust should be made aware."

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air as she exited, her bodyguard following close behind.

Back at the hotel, Mary wasted no time calling Benjamin. She told him about the meeting and assured him that everything was going according to plan. He didn't say much, simply murmuring that he trusted her to handle it and reminded her to be cautious. The briefness of their conversation left her feeling unsettled, as if something unspoken lingered between them.

Night soon fell, and as she prepared for the bank meeting, she instructed her bodyguards carefully.

"I'll be going alone with just one of you," she said firmly. 

"No one else leaves the hotel or speaks of my whereabouts tonight. The fewer people involved, the better."

The guards exchanged glances, hesitant, but eventually nodded. They knew Mary's Determination and weren't about to question her. As she exited the hotel with her chosen guard, the city was quiet, wrapped in a deep, shadowy calm.

The car ride to the bank address was quiet, almost too quiet, with only the hum of the engine breaking the silence. Mary glanced outside, watching Milan's empty streets and thinking of everything that had brought her to this point. All she wanted was to secure the funds and return to London quickly.

But as they made their way through the narrow, dimly lit streets, she noticed something strange: a pair of headlights glinting in the rearview mirror, never quite fading away. She dismissed it at first, assuming it was just another car on the road, but the vehicle lingered, maintaining a careful distance as they turned corner after corner.

Mary's Unease grew with every passing minute. She exchanged a glance with her bodyguard, who had also noticed the car tailing them. The guard gave her a reassuring nod, but she could see the tension in his eyes. They couldn't afford any risks tonight, not with the task they had to accomplish.

As they neared the bank, the trailing car slowed, shadowing them even more carefully. Her heart raced as she gripped her phone tightly, her mind racing with questions. Was this someone Benjamin had arranged to ensure her safety or to ensure something else entirely? 

She tried to calm herself, focusing on the task ahead. But with every twist and turn, the car followed, as if it were a dark omen shadowing her path. Mary'sresolve wavered, yet she pressed on, knowing that whatever lay ahead, she couldn't turn back now.

Mary exhaled a sigh of relief as the trailing car disappeared into the distance. Her heart, which had been pounding wildly just moments before, began to settle as they neared the bank. Her mind focused once more on the task at hand. The bank was quiet, almost too quiet, as her accountant met her at the entrance, guiding her through secured hallways and down toward the basement vaults.

"Just through here, Mrs. Mary," the accountant said, gesturing toward a high-tech door with scanners on both sides. 

The vault security required her fingerprints and a scan of her iris. She felt a slight shiver as the laser traced her eyes. The heavy door unlocked with a deep, mechanical hum, and the accountant led her into the vault. As the lights flickered on, Mary's Eyes widened at the sight before her—a small mountain of neatly stacked bills and rows of gleaming gold bars. The fortune her late father-in-law had left in her care was astounding.

"Thirty million dollars in cash," the accountant said, his tone matter-of-fact, as if he were describing nothing more than routine paperwork. "And the gold is scheduled to be shipped directly to London tomorrow."

Mary nodded, still in awe. The weight of her father-in-law's trust—and the pressure from Benjamin's family—pressed down on her shoulders. She took a deep breath, regaining her composure. It was for Benjamin's sake, she reminded herself. To uphold his reputation and his father's legacy.

With the accountant's help, they carefully packed the cash into several secure cases. He assisted her in transporting the cases up to the car, where she placed them in the trunk, sealing it tight. She turned to thank him, relieved that this part of her mission had gone smoothly.

But the peace shattered in an instant.