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He turned around and looked at them. “So she packed up, left the university, and came here. Bought that little spot by the lake, turned it into a restaurant. Said she wanted to complete her life, not just study it.”

James raised an eyebrow. “That’s… poetic. And unexpected.”

Marco gave a small shrug. “Sometimes the smartest people are the ones who walk away from it all.”

Then he glanced back at them again, his tone shifting. “So, have we decided who to visit? I’d say Vittoria's accountant — Giovanni Romano. His motive’s pretty straightforward, and honestly, he’s at the top of my list. If Vittoria really found out he’d been siphoning off her investment money… he’d have a lot to lose.”

But James gave a slight smile, eyes thoughtful. “Actually… I’m thinking of someone else.”

Marco raised an eyebrow.

“Let’s try the student you mentioned earlier—Jonathan,” James continued. “If anyone knew what was really going on in Vittoria’s head before she left everything behind, it’s him.”

Marco gave a slow nod. “Alright. I know where he lives. Buckle up—we’ll be there in ten.”

True to his word, ten minutes later, the black sedan pulled up in front of a modest two-story house nestled at the edge of a quiet cul-de-sac.

As they stepped out of the car, the front door opened, and a tall man in his early thirties appeared, followed by a woman in a cozy cardigan.

“Hi, Officer Rossi,” the man said with a polite nod. Then, turning to James with a curious smile, he added, “And you must be the detective from England he mentioned. I’m Jonathan—and this is my wife, Elise.” He stepped forward, extending a hand in greeting.