When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 379

The interrogation room was quiet as everyone prepared for it.

A recorder sat in the middle of the table, its small red light glowing steadily. Justice Elena Simpson entered first, carrying a thick file in her hands.

Joseph Tremont followed quietly behind her.

Steve took a seat near the back of the room while two investigators remained beside the door, ready to observe every word that would be spoken.

A few seconds later, Alessandro Virelli was escorted into the room. His hands were no longer handcuffed. He adjusted the sleeve of his tailored suit before taking the seat opposite Justice Elena.

His posture remained straight. And his expression remained calm.

He looked more like a businessman attending an important meeting than a man under arrest.

Justice Elena opened the file before her.

"Mr. Alessandro Virelli."

Alessandro nodded politely. "Justice Simpson."

She looked at him for a brief moment before switching on the recorder.

"This interview is being recorded."

"I understand."

She folded her hands together. "Would you like legal representation before we begin?"

Alessandro smiled faintly. "I have already requested my lawyer. However, I have nothing to hide."

Justice Elena returned the faint smile. "I'm glad to hear that."

She opened the first document. "You have known Donatus Richardson for many years."

"Yes."

"You've had regular meetings with him."

"Yes."

"You discussed Auralink System."

"We did."

"You discussed Joseph Tremont."

"Occasionally."

"You discussed Ethan Rhodes."

Alessandro's expression did not change. "We discussed many influential people over the years."

Justice Elena made another note. "So you admit the meetings happened."

"I never denied they happened."

Joseph watched him quietly. Every answer was careful. Every sentence had been measured before it left Alessandro's mouth.

Justice Elena continued. "Did you encourage Donatus Richardson to continue pursuing the events surrounding the Auralink laboratory explosion?"

Alessandro leaned back comfortably. "I reminded him of history. Nothing more."

"You told him Joseph Tremont was responsible."

"I repeated what many people believed at the time."

Again...

Technically true.

Justice Elena changed direction. "Did you instruct Donatus Richardson to eliminate Tina Ackley?"

"No."

"Did you instruct him to kidnap Mrs. Cassienne Tremont?"

"No."

"Did you hire any kidnappers?"

"No."

"Did you transfer any money to anyone connected to this investigation?"

"No."

Every answer came without hesitation.

Joseph understood exactly what Alessandro was doing.

He had carefully positioned himself behind other people for years. Every criminal act had been carried out by someone else.

Justice Elena closed one file and opened another. "Donatus Richardson says you manipulated him."

Alessandro smiled. "People say many things when they're trying to reduce their own judgement."

"He says you convinced him that Joseph Tremont murdered his brother."

"I shared my opinion."

"He says you encouraged him to destroy Auralink."

"I never told anyone to commit a crime."

Alessandro watched the movement with mild curiosity. "What is that?"

Joseph didn't answer immediately. Instead, he placed the drive gently on the table between them.

His voice remained calm. "Twenty-three years ago...Ethan Rhodes called me."

Alessandro remained silent.

"He told me he had discovered something important." Joseph's expression grew heavier. "I was too busy trying to protect Auralink. So I told him we'd talk later."

A shadow crossed Joseph's face. "There was never a later."

The room remained completely still.

Joseph rested one hand on the drive. "I failed my friend. I've lived with that every day since."

Justice Elena lowered her eyes briefly.

Even Steve looked away.

Joseph looked directly at Alessandro. "But before Ethan died...he made sure someone would eventually hear what I refused to hear."

For the first time since entering the room...

Alessandro's calm expression changed ever so slightly. "What exactly are you suggesting?"

Joseph slid the storage drive across the table. "I'm not suggesting anything. I'm inviting you to watch."

Alessandro looked down at the small device. Then back at Joseph.

Now his smile had disappeared. "What is on it?"

Joseph answered quietly. "The last move Ethan Rhodes made."

No one spoke.

The silence itself became heavy.

Justice Elena nodded once toward one of the investigators. "Prepare the viewing room."

The investigator immediately left.

Alessandro's eyes remained fixed on the storage drive.

For the first time in over two decades...

The man who believed he had stayed safely behind the curtain found himself wondering whether someone had been watching him all along.

And for the first time since his arrest...A single question entered his mind.

What did Ethan Rhodes know?