Chapter 11 - The Basement Vault
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“You planned to kill my sister,” Luca said, turning his lethal gaze back to Vanessa. It wasn't a question. It was a final, damning verdict.
“No!” Vanessa shrieked, dropping to her knees on the floor, abandoning all of her pride and aristocratic dignity. She grabbed the fabric of Luca’s suit pants, sobbing hysterically. “It was Dante! He forced me! He said if I didn't help him get the family’s money, he would kill me too! I was a victim, Luca!”
Luca looked down at her with absolute, unadulterated disgust. He reached down, grabbed her wrists, and violently peeled her hands off his clothing, shoving her backward onto the floor.
“Take her to the basement vault,” Luca commanded without looking at his men.
Two massive enforcers stepped forward instantly, grabbing Vanessa by the arms and hauling her roughly to her feet.
“Luca, please! Don't do this to me! You love me!” she screamed as they dragged her kicking and thrashing toward the bedroom door. Her frantic cries echoed down the grand marble hallway until the heavy fire doors finally slammed shut, cutting off the sound completely.
The bedroom descended into a heavy, exhausted silence.
Luca ran a shaking hand over his face, processing the sheer magnitude of the betrayal. The woman he was supposed to marry in two months had orchestrated the crippling of his beloved sister, all to inherit a larger share of the Moretti empire.
He walked back over to Sofia’s bed and sat gently on the edge of the mattress. He pulled his sister into a fierce, protective embrace, burying his face in her hair.
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“I’m so sorry,” Luca whispered brokenly. “I’m so sorry I didn't believe you. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”
Sofia hugged him back, her tears soaking his expensive suit. “It’s okay, Luca. We know the truth now.”
