Chapter 7
By morning, I understood the full shape.
Marco wanted one window of incapacity.
Celeste wanted something more.
She wanted Anna gone.
Why?
Not because Anna threatened the plot.
Before the plot, Anna had threatened Celeste’s position.
Six weeks earlier, Anna overheard Celeste discussing mansion expenses with vendors.
Nothing criminal.
Just embarrassing.
Celeste had been using household accounts to fund lavish private events for friends.
Not stealing millions.
Using my name to get services, flowers, catering, drivers.
Then calling them “family hosting.”
Anna asked the accountant whether one invoice belonged to the estate.
The accountant mentioned it to Celeste.
That was enough.
Celeste started treating Anna as dangerous.
First extra work.
Then humiliation.
Then tasting.
When Marco approached her with his idea to create a temporary crisis around me, Celeste saw opportunity.
Use Anna as scapegoat.
Afterward dismiss her.
Two problems solved.
Marco stared when I laid it out.
“You didn’t know?”
He looked at his sister.
Apparently not.
Good.
Their alliance had different agendas.
Marco wanted power.
Celeste wanted power plus revenge.
She whispered:
“She was nosy.”
Anna, standing behind me, finally spoke.
“I asked why the florist billed Mr. Vittorio for your birthday.”
Celeste snapped:
“You had no right.”
I turned.
“No.”
My voice stayed quiet.
“She had exactly enough right to ask why my money was paying for something I never approved.”
Not because of money amount.
Because Celeste interpreted proximity to me as ownership of household resources.
Same disease in different clothes.
Marco looked disgusted.
Not morally.
Strategically.
“You complicated everything over flowers?”
Celeste stared.
“You were willing to drug your cousin over territory.”
Good.
May you like
At least they understood each other now.
Family unity improved through honesty.
