Chapter 4 - The Unseen Enemy Lurking in the Mansion
By midnight, the grand mansion had transformed from a scene of celebratory luxury into a fortress under lockdown. The fifty guests had been questioned and escorted off the property under heavy guard, sworn to absolute secrecy about what transpired during the banquet.
Upstairs in the private family quarters, Michael sat in the study holding a glass of scotch, staring blankly at the wall. The realization that his future father-in-law—and the woman his brother was supposed to marry—had conspired to exile and eliminate him had completely shattered his worldview.
The heavy oak door opened silently, and Luca stepped inside, followed closely by me carrying a tray with fresh coffee and documents.
“How are you holding up, little brother?” Luca asked, placing a heavy hand on Michael's shoulder.
“I was an idiot,” Michael muttered, staring into his glass. “I let ambition and flattery blind me. I thought Vanessa actually cared about me... I thought she and her father were just helping me secure a separate stake.”
“They were using you to fracture this family,” Luca said coldly. “Richard Bellini wanted total control over the Chicago shipping lanes. He thought getting rid of you and manipulating Vanessa into marrying me would give him the keys to the entire syndicate.”
I set the coffee tray down on the antique desk, keeping my distance to respect family privacy. But Luca turned his gaze toward me, his expression softening instantly.
“Emily,” Luca said quietly, walking over to stand beside me. “You risked your life tonight. Not just once, but twice. You saved my brother's life, and you protected my family from a lethal betrayal.”
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“I just did what was right, Mr.—Luca,” I corrected myself quickly, feeling my cheeks flush under his intense stare.
“You’ve proven your loyalty far beyond any contract or payroll,” Luca murmured, his voice dropping an octave as he looked down at me. “From now on, you aren't just a housemaid in this house. You’re under my personal protection. And nobody touches anyone under my protection.”
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