Chapter 3 – The Name on the Note
"No..."
Vanessa's scream echoed against the marble walls.
"That isn't mine!"
She reached for the note again, but Marco caught her wrist before she touched it.
"Easy, Miss Cole."
"I said let go!"
Guests instinctively stepped farther away.
Only minutes earlier, they had been congratulating the future Mrs. Moretti.
Now they watched her as though she carried a contagious disease.
Alessandro read the note again.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Then he folded it and slipped it into his jacket pocket.
"Who wrote this?"
Vanessa wiped away tears with trembling fingers.
"I don't know."
"You expect me to believe someone planted a fake pregnancy, a receipt, and a handwritten warning inside your private closet?"
"They're setting me up!"
"Who?"
"I..."
She couldn't answer.
Because she hadn't prepared one.
For the first time all night, Alessandro looked disappointed instead of angry.
That expression hurt her more than shouting ever could.
"I trusted you."
Vanessa broke down crying.
"I love you."
"That wasn't my question."
"I made one mistake."
"Mistakes happen once."
His voice remained calm.
"This required planning."
The words struck harder than any slap.
Across the ballroom, whispers continued growing louder.
"I heard she fired two assistants last month."
"Didn't her personal doctor suddenly resign?"
"What if she bribed someone?"
The rumors spread faster than fire.
Vanessa suddenly pointed at me.
"She's behind this!"
Every eye returned to me.
"She wanted my life!"
"I've never wanted anything that belonged to you," I answered quietly.
"You liar!"
She took another step toward me.
Emma began crying.
"Mama..."
Before Vanessa could get closer, Alessandro moved.
Not quickly.
Simply enough to stand between us.
"You will not go near the child."
His tone left no room for discussion.
Vanessa stared at him in disbelief.
"You're protecting...her?"
"I'm protecting the only innocent person in this room."
Emma peeked around his leg.
He offered her a reassuring smile.
It was small.
Almost fatherly.
Then Marco's radio buzzed again.
His expression changed instantly.
"Sir..."
"What now?"
"We questioned Miss Cole's personal assistant."
"And?"
Marco swallowed.
"She says Miss Cole wasn't working alone."
The ballroom became silent once more.
"There was another man involved."
Alessandro's eyes turned cold.
"Bring him here."
May you like
Marco hesitated.
"I'm afraid...he's already inside the mansion."
