Chapter 3
Deleting footage from Alessia’s home required internal access.
That fact changed the room.
Garrett was no longer simply an abusive husband who had prepared to embarrass his wife.
Someone inside Alessia’s security structure had helped him.
Alessia convened six senior capos before dawn.
No shouting.
No threats.
The council room felt colder because nobody knew which person she suspected.
Garrett was not invited.
Evelyn was escorted to a guest suite and told not to leave until her transportation arrived.
Miriam sat beside Alessia.
One capo glanced toward her.
Alessia noticed.
“What?”
The man’s eyes dropped.
“Nothing.”
“Then don't look at my mother like she's the reason we're here.”
His throat moved.
“Yes, Boss.”
Alessia leaned back.
“Who had access to the ballroom archive?”
Her security chief answered.
Seven people.
Two technicians.
Three senior guards.
Himself.
And Garrett.
Alessia’s eyes stopped.
“Garrett?”
“You approved spousal access six months ago.”
She remembered.
Garrett had complained that being Alessia Carbone’s husband while needing permission to enter rooms made him look ridiculous.
She had given him limited household authority.
Another concession made for peace.
Another door he had used.
But technical logs showed something else.
Garrett’s credential had not deleted the footage.
One of the senior guards had.
The guard was brought in.
His hands stayed rigid behind his back.
Alessia watched his breathing.
Too fast.
“You deleted seven minutes.”
“No, Boss.”
She said nothing.
The silence stretched.
He looked toward the floor.
Miriam shifted slightly beside her.
The guard’s eyes flicked toward Miriam.
Alessia caught it.
“Why are you looking at her?”
His face tightened.
“I’m not.”
“You just did.”
The guard swallowed.
Then finally spoke.
“Mrs. Lawson paid me.”
Evelyn.
Alessia did not move.
“How much?”
“Twenty thousand.”
“For deleting footage?”
“No.”
His voice dropped.
“For making sure nobody stopped Mr. Lawson too quickly.”
Miriam inhaled sharply.
The guard continued.
“I was told there might be a family confrontation. I was supposed to let it happen long enough for witnesses to see it.”
Alessia’s fingers became still against the table.
Garrett had not merely hoped she would lose control.
He had arranged the room so she could.
Then the guard whispered one more thing.
“He said you'd hit him after he touched Mrs. Carbone.”
May you like
Alessia slowly turned toward her mother.
Garrett had predicted exactly which person would make Alessia forget every rule.
