Chapter 4
Lucia’s face lost every trace of color.
Giovanni did not ask why she lied.
He asked something worse.
“How long were you there?”
Her lips moved.
No sound came.
Emilio looked toward her.
Clarissa looked toward the floor.
They all knew the answer mattered.
Lucia finally whispered:
“About forty minutes.”
“You told me you were home.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
Her breathing broke.
“I was trying to stop the fight.”
Giovanni’s eyes remained still.
“What fight?”
Lucia looked at Emilio.
He shook his head once.
Subtle.
A warning.
Giovanni saw it.
“Look at me.”
Lucia did.
Tears had formed, but she did not let them fall.
“Mom had found the account records.”
Emilio cursed under his breath.
Lucia continued.
“She said she was giving everything to you in the morning.”
Giovanni’s hand slowly closed on the table.
“What happened next?”
“Emilio begged her not to.”
Emilio’s voice rose.
“I explained what exposure would do.”
Lucia turned toward him.
“You threatened her.”
“I did not.”
Clarissa finally snapped.
“You told her if she destroyed Seabrook, she was destroying her own son.”
The room went silent.
Emilio stared at Clarissa.
Her face hardened.
“You said it.”
Giovanni watched the alliance fracture.
His son and Clarissa had entered the room together.
Now each was beginning to protect only themselves.
Lucia continued.
“Mom told Emilio she would rather lose the project than watch him become someone who stole from his own family.”
Giovanni’s eyes dropped.
He could almost hear Helena saying it.
Then Lucia added:
“She had a red ledger.”
Emilio immediately looked up.
Clarissa froze.
Giovanni noticed both.
“What ledger?”
Lucia wiped one tear away.
“She kept notes. Dates. Payments. Names.”
Giovanni leaned back.
“Where is it?”
Lucia did not answer.
His voice dropped.
“Lucia.”
Her hands began shaking.
“I don’t know.”
Emilio laughed once.
“You took it.”
Lucia stared at him.
“No.”
“You were the last one in her office.”
“I wasn't.”
Everyone stopped.
Giovanni’s eyes sharpened.
“Who was?”
Lucia looked toward Clarissa.
Clarissa’s breath caught.
Then Lucia said:
“Mom collapsed before Clarissa left the room.”
Giovanni went completely still.
May you like
Clarissa had claimed Helena was alive and standing when she departed.
Lucia had just contradicted her.
