Chapter 12 A Difficult Encounter

The day proceeded as planned. Preparations for the diamond auction were moving forward flawlessly. Antonio had assigned Herina Allen to oversee Rose’s first photo-shoot for the promotional magazine. Invitations to elite guests and billionaires worldwide had already been sent, and the shoot was scheduled for two days later. Thankfully, Rose’s fluency in Italian-made communication effortless for the staff. It was nearing noon when Rossi entered Antonio’s office, his face tense with urgency. Antonio set down his pen, frowning as he observed his trusted bodyguard. “What is it?” Antonio asked. “Sir, we’ve detained a woman. She appears to have been a victim of human trafficking. Our men found her near a hotel close to the casino. She was hiding, terrified,” Rossi reported. Antonio’s expression darkened immediately. “Where is she now?” he asked coldly. “She’s being held downstairs. Do you want to see her?” Rossi inquired. “No. You handle it,” Antonio said flatly, dismissing the matter. Rossi hesitated before asking, “What do you want me to do with her afterward?” “That’s up to you,” Antonio replied indifferently. “I just want a name—the person behind this. Once you get that, the rest is yours to deal with.” Rossi grimaced slightly. He wasn’t comfortable handling women in situations like this, but a direct order from his boss wasn’t something he could ignore. “Yes, sir,” Rossi said curtly, though his reluctance was obvious. Rossi spent less than an hour driving to the casino’s underground holding area. He stopped in front of a nondescript room, his face impassive as he prepared himself for the task ahead. “She’s in there,” one guard said, gesturing to the door. Rossi nodded and entered the room. Inside, a young woman in a short, disheveled dress sat curled up in the far corner of the bed. Her wide, fearful eyes darted to him as he approached, her body visibly trembling. The more he stepped forward, the more she tried to shrink away, pressing herself against the wall. “Don’t come any closer!” she cried, her voice filled with panic. Rossi sighed inwardly. He crouched down a short distance from her, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. He hated situations like this—not because he despised women, but because their emotions were too unpredictable, too overwhelming. “I need to ask you a few questions,” Rossi said calmly. The woman stared at him with suspicion and fear, her lips trembling. “Where did you come from?” he asked. She remained silent; her fear intensifying. Tears began to pool in her eyes, threatening to spill. Great, Rossi thought, exhaling sharply. I can’t deal with crying women. “I haven’t done anything to you,” he muttered. “Stop crying, will you?” His tone was firmer than he intended, but it seemed to catch her attention. She looked at him through tear-streaked lashes, hesitating. “I won’t hurt you, but you need to answer my questions,” Rossi said, his voice softening. “Promise?” the woman whispered, her voice faint. Rossi nodded. “Were you lured here to be sold?” he asked. The woman nodded slowly, tears still streaming down her cheeks. “I ran away… from an auction at the hotel last night. They told me I’d get a job, but… but…” Her voice cracked as she sobbed harder. Rossi’s sharp gaze flicked over her. Dark bruises marred her arms, evidence of her escape and the abuse she had suffered. “Did they hurt you?” She nodded again. Rossi cursed silently under his breath. He hated human traffickers with a passion, and seeing her condition only fueled his anger. “Where are you from?” he asked, his tone gentle now. “Cili Island,” she replied shakily. “Do you remember the person who tricked you into coming here?” “Yes,” the woman whispered. “Her name is Kat. That’s all I know. She promised to pay off all my debts if I took the job.” Rossi stood up, exhaling as he processed the information. He turned to leave, but the woman suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve, her eyes pleading. “Please… let me stay with you. I have nowhere to go,” she whispered, her voice trembling with desperation. “You can’t,” Rossi replied curtly, stepping back. “Please! I don’t know anyone here… Don’t leave me alone,” she begged, her tear-filled eyes locked on him. “I can’t,” Rossi repeated firmly. “I don’t like this kind of thing.” He turned and walked out of the room, leaving the woman sobbing quietly in the corner. Her soft cries echoed behind him, but Rossi forced himself not to look back. Back in the car, Rossi leaned against the door, rubbing his temples in frustration. He hated how complicated things always became when emotions were involved. He pulled out his phone and dialed Antonio. “I got the name,” Rossi said as soon as Antonio answered. [Good. Report it to me in person] “Yes, sir,” Rossi said before hanging up, already dreading the look in that woman’s eyes when he had left her behind. Damn it, Rossi thought. Why did it feel like I was abandoning her? But orders were orders, and he wasn’t about to question them. He climbed into the car, his face stony as he drove back to deliver his report.