45. Two Faces of Valentina

Instinctively, Valentina knew that the woman named Lyla was the one Carlo couldn’t let go of.

Without revealing her thoughts, she smiled warmly at her son. “Alright, let’s drop it. Go down to the cellar, pick a wine you like, and share a glass with your mother, okay?”

Carlo was eager to end the conversation as well. He hated showing anger in front of his mother. After the bitter disappointment his father had become, his mother and Hudson were all he had left for family comfort.

“Alright.” He nodded, then turned and headed for the wine cellar.

Once Carlo disappeared from view, Valentina swiftly picked up his discarded phone. Lyla’s previous call had ended, but just moments later, it rang again. This time, Valentina answered.

A panicked voice came through immediately, “Where’s Dr. Riffe? He didn’t show up for class today, and the school contacted his wife. She said he left early this morning, but no one’s heard from him since.”

“Was this your doing? Don’t joke with me—I know you’re try