Chapter 16 - The Reveal
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The shattered green glass scattered across the marble floor like broken promises.
Vanessa stared at the shards, her jaw practically unhinged in shock. The color completely drained from her face, leaving her looking like a wax statue.
“What... what is this, Luca?” Vanessa stammered, backing away.
“This,” Luca said, stepping aggressively toward her, “is the trap you just willingly walked into.”
Luca turned to the crowd of guests gathered in the hallway.
“Three days ago, I was informed that my beautiful fiancée was heavily in debt to several unsavory gentlemen in Europe,” Luca announced, his voice carrying effortlessly. “I was also informed that she planned to fake a robbery tonight, steal the family emerald, and collect the insurance payout to save her own skin.”
Vanessa shook her head frantically. “No! It’s a lie! She’s poisoning you against me!” She pointed a shaking finger at Nora, who was still kneeling on the floor.
“Nora didn't tell me about your debts, Vanessa,” Luca said coldly. “My accountants did. Nora simply provided the missing piece of the puzzle.”
Luca nodded to Marco.
The crowd in the hallway parted violently. Two of Luca’s enforcers dragged a man in a rumpled gray suit into the vault room, throwing him roughly onto the floor next to the broken glass.
It was Silas Vance.
His nose was bleeding, and he looked absolutely terrified.
“Mr. Vance,” Luca said smoothly. “Would you care to tell my guests what you have in your left breast pocket?”
Silas trembled, looking up at the mafia boss. He slowly reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a small velvet box. He placed it on the floor and opened it.
May you like
Inside rested an identical piece of green glass. The fake emerald Vanessa had intended to leave in the safe.
“She gave it to me ten minutes ago in the conservatory,” Silas whimpered, pointing at Vanessa. “She thought it was the real one! She told me to take it to the airport!”
