The news spread faster than Elena expected.
Not about the tape. Not about the cellar.
But about them.
People had seen Daniel and Elena together at the archives. They had noticed them asking questions about 1987.
In Seravalle, curiosity traveled quietly — but quickly.
That evening, as Elena locked the bookstore, an old man was waiting by the fountain.
Signor Ricci.
He had lived in town longer than anyone.
"You've been digging into old things," he said without greeting.
Elena's stomach tightened. "Just family history."
The man's eyes shifted to Daniel, who stood a few steps behind her.
"History should stay buried," Ricci replied.
Daniel stepped forward. "Why?"
The old man studied him carefully.
"Because not everyone who disappeared was innocent."
The words hit like a stone.
"Elena's grandfather was a good man," Daniel said firmly.
Ricci gave a dry laugh. "Good men make bad decisions when money is involved."
Elena felt her pulse racing. "What do you know about Lucia Bellini?"
For a moment, Ricci's expression changed.
Fear.
"She talked too much," he said quietly. "That was her mistake."
"About what?" Daniel pressed.
Ricci glanced around the square, lowering his voice.
"About land deals. About forged signatures. About money moving through hands that didn't want to be seen."
Elena felt cold.
"My grandfather?" she whispered.
Ricci didn't answer directly.
But he didn't deny it either.
"She wasn't supposed to die," he muttered. "But once she did… it became bigger than just an accident."
Daniel's eyes darkened. "Bigger how?"
Ricci looked at both of them, something almost like pity in his face.
"You think it was just two young people covering up a mistake?"
He shook his head slowly.
"There were others involved."
The church bell rang suddenly, breaking the silence.
When Elena looked back, Ricci was already walking away.
Daniel stood still beside her.
"Others," he repeated.
Elena stared at the darkening vineyards beyond the square.
If Isabella and her grandfather hadn't acted alone—
Then the secret wasn't just family.
It was the town.
And towns protect their secrets.
Especially when powerful names are attached.
The mystery wasn't shrinking.
It was growing.