Chapter 2 – The Locked Ballroom
Chapter 2 – The Locked Ballroom
No one moved.
Not because they wanted to obey Alessandro Moretti.
Because everyone in the ballroom already had.
The estate's security chief, Victor Russo, touched the earpiece hidden beneath his collar.
"Seal every exit."
Heavy oak doors closed with soft mechanical clicks.
Outside, rain continued pounding against the windows.
Inside...
three hundred guests exchanged uneasy glances.
Vanessa's smile finally disappeared.
"Alessandro," she said carefully, "this has gone far enough."
He didn't answer.
Instead, he looked toward Emma.
"What closet?"
"The upstairs one," Emma replied. "The shiny room."
Claire felt her pulse race.
The dressing suite.
Vanessa had occupied it all afternoon.
Victor returned moments later.
"Sir."
Alessandro nodded once.
"Bring me the storage box."
Vanessa took one hurried step forward.
"Absolutely not."
For the first time that evening, Alessandro looked directly at her.
May you like
His expression was unreadable.
"Then you won't mind if we open it."
