Chapter 4 - THE CONFRONTATION IN THE FOYER
The black sedan crunched over the gravel driveway.
Sal parked right beneath the grand portico.
The engagement party was still in full swing inside.
Loud laughter and classical music drifted through the heavy oak doors.
Luca opened his door.
He stepped out into the cold rain, holding Leo securely in his arms.
I hurried out behind them, shielding the boy with an oversized umbrella.
We walked up the stone steps together.
Luca pushed the front doors open.
The heavy brass handles groaned.
We stepped into the magnificent marble foyer.
The music cut off instantly.
Guests turned from the drawing room.
Vanessa stood near the grand staircase.
Her face was chalk white.
She had tried to leave through the back, but she was too late.
Her eyes locked onto Leo in Luca's arms.
Her breath hitched.
"Luca," she choked out, taking a step forward.
"Don't move," Luca commanded.
His voice echoed off the high ceilings.
Every guest froze.
Whispers started rippling through the crowd.
Politicians and investors stared in absolute shock.
Luca walked toward Vanessa with measured, predatory steps.
He stopped three feet away from her.
"You left your party early," Luca said coldly.
"I... I wasn't feeling well," Vanessa lied, her voice shaking violently.
Luca lowered Leo gently to the marble floor.
He kept one hand firmly on the boy's shoulder.
"Look at him, Vanessa."
She couldn't.
She kept her eyes locked on the floor.
"Look at his eyes," Luca whispered.
"Luca, please, let's talk in private," she begged, tears spilling over her mascara.
"There is nothing private about this anymore."
He turned to face the entire room of horrified guests.
"This is my son," Luca announced to the gathering.
Chaos erupted.
Murmurs turned into gasps.
Vanessa covered her face with her trembling hands.
"And my lovely fiancée," Luca continued, his voice dripping with venom, "hid him away in a slum to protect her social standing."
Vanessa lunged forward.
"It wasn't about status!"
May you like
"Then what was it?!" Luca roared, stepping forward.
[CLIFFHANGER: Before Vanessa could answer, a tall, imposing man pushed his way through the stunned crowd of guests—Vanessa's father, holding a loaded firearm hidden inside his suit jacket.]
