Chapter 11 - Valentina’s Trap
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The next morning, Sloan felt a dangerous new power humming in her veins. She held a secret that could tear the Caruso empire apart from the inside. She just needed the right moment to use it.
But Valentina Caruso had other plans.
Sloan was in the master suite, changing the heavy silk bed sheets, when Valentina strolled into the room. She held a glittering diamond tennis bracelet dangling lazily from her index finger.
“Pretty, isn't it?” Valentina said, tossing it onto the velvet chaise lounge. “My father bought it for me in Paris. It’s worth more than your miserable mother’s life.”
Sloan ignored her, pulling the fitted sheet tight over the mattress. “I’m busy, Miss Caruso.”
“Not too busy to steal, apparently,” Valentina sneered.
Before Sloan could react, Valentina snatched the bracelet from the chair, shoved it violently into the deep pocket of Sloan’s white maid apron, and instantly began screaming at the top of her lungs.
“Thief! Help! Security!” Valentina shrieked, falling to the floor and crying fake, dramatic tears. “She’s stealing from me! Someone help!”
Heavy footsteps pounded down the hallway. Within seconds, two massive security guards burst into the room, followed closely by a very angry Fallon Caruso.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Fallon roared.
“Daddy!” Valentina cried, pointing a trembling, manicured finger at Sloan. “I caught her going through my jewelry box! She took my diamond bracelet! I saw her put it in her apron!”
The security guards immediately grabbed Sloan’s arms, pinning her in place. One of them reached into her apron pocket and pulled out the glittering diamond bracelet, holding it up like damning evidence.
“I didn't take it!” Sloan shouted, struggling against the guards’ heavy grip. “She planted it on me! She’s lying!”
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“Shut up, you filthy thief!” Valentina spat. “Daddy, fire her! Throw her in the street!”
Fallon walked slowly into the room, his dark eyes fixated on the diamond bracelet, and then shifted his intense, terrifying gaze directly onto Sloan’s desperate face.
