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I eyed Massimo with suspicion as he plugged the USB into the terminal, his fingers tapping the trackpad until a media player filled the giant projection screen.

‘This is what went down, mio amico,’ Massimo muttered, clicking the play icon.

‘Let’s be clear, I’m not your friend,’ I gritted out.

He gave me an Italian shrug and moved to the window as the security footage rolled.

The camera perspective from the rooftop bar was crystal clear.

Ana sat at her table sipping her drink.

My chest ached at the sight of her, and I recalled how happy we’d been then.

I remembered how much I wanted my production meeting to end that night so I could relax with her after my show.

Seconds later, Massimo sidled up to her and spoke.

The angle was different from what I’d seen in person before, and I leaned in as her face screwed up in anger.

I jolted when Massimo grabbed Ana and kissed her, but then the narrative flipped.

For a few moments, it seemed she was complying until I saw her fighting to break his grip.

She struggled to pull away, but he held her fast.

I swung my feet off the table and bolted upright, brows arched in surprise as the video captured Ana slamming her balled-up hand into him.

She punched him in the gut and yelled at him with an intensity that distorted her features.

He let her go, and she wiped her mouth with pure disgust before throwing her drink in his face.

She spat angry words at Max, then sprinted toward a man hidden behind a stand of bushes, filming the scene.

I huffed as she grabbed his camera and pulled the SD card out, snapping it in two.

She then marched off screen, and the footage went to black.

Scorching flames licked at my soul as the facts, laid out in 4K, hit me hard.

‘Damn,’ I whispered. ‘She’s been in the clear all this time.’

My heart hardened as I turned to the man cowering by the window.

‘Why in the everlovin’ fuck did you do it?’

‘Total desperation,’ Massimo muttered, staring at the floor. ‘I needed quick cash to cover my legal bills and gambling debts. One of the gossip rags promised a healthy paycheck. This video proves I ambushed her and she had no idea I was coming, and that I hired a photographer with the intent to blackmail her. She figured this out and confronted me. I confessed, and we concurred I’d show you the real footage.’

‘In exchange for what?’ I demanded.

He hesitated, shame coming over him.

‘Ana agreed to give me cash to pay off my creditors.’

‘How much?’ I pushed.

‘Half a million bucks.’

I whistled, shocked at the astronomical amount.