Chapter 8
I did not punish them that morning.
Not immediately.
First, I corrected the house.
Anna’s schedule returned to normal.
Then lighter for two weeks while her hands healed.
A doctor treated the irritation.
No miracle.
Just rest.
Protective gloves.
Less exposure.
Mia stayed in estate childcare if Anna wanted.
Or not.
Her choice.
The staff meal rules disappeared.
No child was going hungry after eight because a hostess disliked crumbs.
Then authority.
Celeste no longer managed staff assignments.
No access to household accounts.
No private control of event vendors.
Marco lost temporary authority over my schedule, transportation, and security.
His capo title remained while I reviewed the people under him.
Why not remove him instantly?
Because hundreds of others depended on that structure.
Power transitions should solve danger, not create chaos for satisfaction.
He hated that I was calm.
Good.
Celeste hated something else.
I asked Anna to sit at the family table during the internal meeting.
Not as promotion.
As witness.
Celeste whispered:
“She’s a maid.”
Anna flinched.
I looked at my cousin.
“She is also the person you planned to blame.”
Silence.
“She gets to hear what happens to the story built around her.”
That mattered.
Victims are often removed from rooms while powerful people discuss consequences.
I was done with that habit.
Marco asked Anna:
“Did you ever intend harm to Vittorio?”
She looked stunned.
“No.”
“Did anyone tell you what you were tasting?”
“No.”
“Did Celeste say Vittorio ordered it?”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
Then turned to his sister.
“You used his name.”
Celeste laughed bitterly.
“So did you.”
Correct.
Both had.
Different rooms.
May you like
Same currency.
My name.
