Chapter 7 - Lucidity
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Ten minutes later, the grand parlor was packed with armed federal agents, Police Commissioner Vance-aligned officers, and a team of news reporters whom Bianca’s father had secretly tipped off to humiliate the Rossi family.
Commissioner Hayes stepped forward, holding a pair of handcuffs.
“Dominic Rossi,” Hayes announced loudly for the news cameras. “We are here to execute a warrant for the arrest of Skyler Vance for grand larceny and felony assault against Miss Bianca Moretti.”
Bianca and her father stood near the back of the parlor, smug smiles plastered across their faces.
“She’s wearing the stolen necklace right now!” Bianca shrieked, pointing at me dramatically. “Look at her! A thief and a violent psychotic!”
Dominic stepped between the officers and me, holding a black USB drive in his hand.
“Before you place those cuffs on her, Commissioner,” Dominic said calmly, “I suggest you play this video on the parlor projector.”
Commissioner Hayes frowned. “What is this?”
“The raw, unedited footage and audio from the conservatory last night,” Dominic replied.
Vance Moretti’s face paled slightly. “Don't listen to him, Hayes! Arrest the girl!”
“Play it,” Hayes ordered, turning to his tech officer.
The large screen on the parlor wall flickered to life.
The audio echoed crisp and clear through the room. Bianca’s voice filled the parlor: “After Dominic marries me, this house changes. You’ll go somewhere quiet, and no one will visit unless I approve it.”
The crowd of reporters gasped, their cameras flashing frantically.
Then came the thermal video footage. It clearly showed Carmela stumbling, the wine spilling, and Bianca raising her hand with the sharp diamond ring aimed directly at the elderly woman’s head. It captured me lunging forward, taking the brutal blow, and falling to the tile bleeding.
The audio recorded Bianca’s final words: “Look what you made me do, you fat, clumsy cow.”
The room went dead silent.
The reporters went wild, shouting questions and snapping photos of Bianca, whose face was now as red as the wine she had spilled.
“You violent bitch,” Commissioner Hayes muttered, turning toward Bianca.
Carmela stepped forward, her voice ringing clear across the parlor. “And as for the necklace—that sapphire was gifted to my family by the Italian government in 1984. I have the legal deeds right here.”
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Dominic looked at Vance Moretti, whose body was shaking with humiliation.
“Your daughter just committed filing a false police report, perjury, and attempted assault on a senior citizen,” Dominic said smoothly. “Commissioner, arrest her.”
