Chapter 9 - THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY
The engagement party had been scheduled for Saturday.
Luca could have canceled it. Instead, he decided to let Vanessa and Dominic believe nothing had changed.
The mansion was decorated with white roses and gold candles. The guests arrived in formal clothes, smiling for photographs beneath the chandeliers.
I was assigned to the service corridor with Mrs. Carter. My cheek had healed enough that the bruise was fading, but I still felt nervous whenever Vanessa came near.
She looked radiant.
A champagne-colored gown replaced the red silk dress. Diamonds glittered at her throat. She greeted every guest with a smile and kissed Luca's cheek for the photographers.
“You look handsome,” she whispered.
“Thank you.”
“Are you still upset with me?”
“Not tonight.”
She smiled.
“Good. We have too much to celebrate.”
Across the room, Dominic watched them.
He wore a dark suit and carried a glass of champagne. When his eyes met Luca's, he raised the glass slightly.
Luca returned the gesture.
At 8:15, Elena arrived.
Vanessa saw her immediately.
Her smile froze for half a second.
Then she crossed the room.
“Elena. How unexpected.”
“I was invited.”
“Of course.”
Vanessa glanced at the small leather folder in Elena's hand.
“Is that what I think it is?”
Elena smiled politely.
“Probably not.”
Luca approached.
“Good evening, Elena.”
“Good evening.”
Vanessa looked between them.
“Perhaps we should all sit down.”
The guests began gathering around the main table.
Dominic stepped forward.
“Before dinner, I think there is something everyone should know.”
Luca remained standing.
“Go ahead.”
Dominic looked surprised.
Then he removed a document from his jacket.
“It's about the family trust.”
Vanessa lowered her eyes, pretending concern.
Dominic began speaking about the original amendment, the missing records, and Elena's supposed involvement in concealing the document.
Several guests murmured.
Elena did not move.
When Dominic finished, Luca asked one question.
“Where did you get that document?”
“From the estate records.”
“Which estate records?”
Dominic hesitated.
“The family archive.”
Luca nodded toward Daniel.
“Show them the original.”
Daniel placed a sealed folder on the table.
Elena opened it.
Inside were the original trust amendment, the attorney's certification, and a chain of custody documenting where the document had been held for four years.
Dominic's face changed.
Luca placed the forged copy beside it.
“Which one do you want the trustees to examine?”
The room fell silent.
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Luca, this is humiliating.”
He looked at her.
“Is it?”
She reached for his arm.
“Please. We can discuss this privately.”
“No. You wanted an audience.”
He turned toward the guests.
“Then everyone can hear the truth.”
Daniel connected a laptop to the room's presentation screen.
The recording from Vanessa's dressing room began to play.
Her own voice filled the ballroom.
Once Luca signs, Dominic can take care of the rest.
A collective gasp moved through the guests.
Vanessa went pale.
Dominic lunged toward the laptop, but two security officers stepped between him and the table.
Luca looked at his fiancée.
“Do you still want to marry me?”
May you like
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
