The door closed on my fingers, and the sound Vanessa made wasn't anger. It was relief. I was nobody — the maid who carried trays and kept her eyes on the floor.

Vanessa looked wildly from the shivering Silas Vance on the floor to the cold, merciless face of Luca Moretti. Her grand illusion had completely evaporated, exposing the greedy, desperate truth underneath.

“Luca, please,” Vanessa begged, her voice dropping to a pathetic, high-pitched whine. She reached out, trying to grab his hand. “He’s lying! They’re all lying! It’s a setup!”

Luca didn't just pull his hand away; he slapped her hands down with a sharp, violent motion that made her flinch backward.

“Do not touch me,” Luca snarled, his eyes burning with absolute disgust.

He looked down at Silas.

“Marco,” Luca commanded without breaking his gaze from his ruined fiancée. “Take Mr. Vance to the basement. Find out exactly who else was involved in this little scheme. Then break his legs and throw him out of my city.”

“No! Please!” Silas screamed as Marco and another guard hauled him up by his armpits and dragged him thrashing down the hallway.

The wealthy guests watched in horrified silence. They were witnessing the brutal reality of the man they had been drinking champagne with all evening. The polished billionaire was gone; the ruthless syndicate boss had taken the floor.

Vanessa sank to her knees, sobbing hysterically, realizing there was no charm or lie left that could save her.

“Luca, I’m sorry! I was desperate! I’ll do anything, I’ll sign whatever you want!”

Luca stared down at her, completely unmoved by her tears.

“You came into my house,” Luca whispered, his voice deadly quiet. “You tried to steal from my family. But worst of all, you tried to frame an innocent woman, and you threatened the life of a child to cover your tracks.”