Chapter 11
Sylvia stared at him.
For several seconds, her face was blank.
Then something broke behind her eyes.
Not fear.
Recognition.
“You wanted me to run to Alessio.”
Trent smiled.
“Yes.”
Alessio felt the room change.
Sylvia continued.
“You kept telling me he didn't care.”
“Yes.”
“You locked me in.”
“Yes.”
“You hurt me.”
His breathing remained steady.
“So when you finally got out, what would you do?”
Sylvia looked toward Alessio.
Her voice became barely audible.
“Go to my brother.”
Trent nodded.
“And bring him the recording.”
Alessio understood.
The fake audio would be discovered through Sylvia.
Not Trent.
Not an anonymous leak.
A battered wife carrying evidence from her husband.
It would look credible.
Emotionally undeniable.
Alessio would confront Trent publicly.
Maybe attack him.
Trent’s allies would circulate the recording.
The family council would see a boss accused by his own sister and beating the man who exposed him.
Perfect.
Helen whispered:
“The dinner.”
Trent looked at her.
Her eyes widened.
“You told me to serve Sylvia something insulting.”
Sylvia turned.
Helen's face collapsed.
“You told me she needed to lose control first.”
Trent shrugged.
“I needed tension.”
Helen looked sick.
The burnt steak.
The mockery.
Trent dragging Sylvia upstairs.
The challenge to Alessio’s authority.
All of it was bait.
Not entirely scripted.
But encouraged.
Trent knew Alessio’s weakness.
Family.
He knew if Sylvia appeared humiliated and hurt in front of him, Alessio would strike.
And he did.
Trent looked at Alessio.
“That punch was the easiest part of the plan.”
The insult hung there.
Alessio’s fingers closed around his signet ring.
Trent watched.
Waiting.
Wanting another blow.
Alessio slowly released his hand.
“No.”
Trent frowned.
Alessio stepped back.
“You don't get to direct me again.”
For the first time, Trent looked uncertain.
Gabriele’s eyes moved toward Alessio.
Something like respect returned.
Then Mateo entered.
“The council footage.”
Alessio looked up.
“What?”
“The dining room has a private event camera.”
Helen went pale.
Trent did not.
He smiled again.
“I know.”
Of course he did.
The entire confrontation had been recorded.
Trent had wanted it.
But Mateo continued.
“It captured more than the fight.”
Trent’s smile faltered.
“There’s audio from twenty minutes before dinner.”
Helen’s eyes widened.
She looked toward Trent.
The recording caught him alone with her.
Coaching her.
Telling her exactly how to provoke Sylvia.
And one sentence appeared near the end.
May you like
“If Alessio hits me, we own him.”
Trent’s own trap had recorded the person who built it.
