Chapter 10 - The Call Behind the Door
Vivien did not look at Elena.
She looked at Lorenzo.
That was when he knew how much she understood.
“Is this some kind of accusation?”
“It’s a question,” he said.
“I have no idea what your mother means.”
Elena stayed behind the wheelchair.
“You borrowed Mia’s rabbit.”
Vivien laughed too loudly.
“From a child’s story, we’ve arrived at this?”
“The bracelet has been documented,” Lorenzo said. “So has the cash.”
“What cash?”
Nobody answered.
Adrian pushed back his chair.
“This is insulting.”
“Sit down,” Lorenzo said.
Adrian remained standing.
For a second, the old Lorenzo rose in him—the man who could fill a room with fear and call it control.
Then he saw Elena’s fingers tighten on the wheelchair handles.
He stepped back.
“You’re free to leave. Nora Bell will contact you about the documents you sent our accountant.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
Only slightly.
Enough.
Vivien turned to him.
“What documents?”
He didn’t answer.
Dinner ended without dessert.
Vivien followed Lorenzo into the hall.
“You’re embarrassing me in front of the staff.”
“You threatened a child.”
Her mouth opened.
Then closed.
“Whatever you think you heard—”
“I heard you.”
The silence between them stretched.
Finally, she said, “Elena is manipulating you.”
“Be careful.”
“She has been working toward this for months.”
“Be very careful.”
Vivien looked at his face and chose a different voice.
Softer.
Wounded.
“Can we please discuss this privately tomorrow?”
“The wedding is off.”
For the first time that night, she seemed genuinely shocked.
Lorenzo pointed toward the guest wing.
“You’ll stay there tonight. Your belongings will be packed tomorrow. Nobody will prevent you from leaving.”
She stared at him.
Then she walked away without another word.
Twenty minutes later, a housekeeper knocked on the study door.
“She’s on the guest-room phone,” the woman said. “I heard my name.”
Lorenzo didn’t move toward the hallway.
He sent Rocco to make sure the employee was safe.
The housekeeper swallowed.
“She said the maid has to leave before morning.”
Nora asked what else she had heard.
The woman’s voice fell to a whisper.
“Then she said, ‘Use the gate. The papers won’t matter if they’re gone.’”
May you like
Rocco’s radio crackled.
The east service gate had opened.
