The Glass Conservatory

The air in the library grew instantly toxic.

Vanessa stepped into the room, closing the door behind her with a heavy, final thud. She wore her red silk gown like armor, her diamond earrings catching the dim light.

“Luca,” she said, her voice unnervingly calm. “Why are you hiding in the dark with the help?”

“I wasn’t hiding,” Luca said, his voice matching her coldness as he stepped in front of Julia, shielding her completely. “I was looking for something my father left behind.”

Vanessa’s eyes flicked toward the open panel of the grandfather clock. A brief flash of panic crossed her perfect features, but she buried it instantly.

“You shouldn't go digging in the past, darling,” Vanessa purred, walking slowly toward the desk. “It’s dusty. And it rarely brings anything but pain.”

“Like the pain you brought to Rosa tonight?” Luca asked.

Vanessa stopped. Her jaw tightened. “That old woman is a liar and a thief. She was trying to steal from us.”

“She brought me a letter, Vanessa,” Luca said, taking a step toward his fiancée. “A letter from my mother. Explaining exactly what you came looking for twelve years ago.”

The mask finally slipped.

Vanessa’s face went completely pale. The elegant, sophisticated woman vanished, replaced by something hard, bitter, and entirely dangerous.

“Your mother was a coward,” Vanessa spat, her voice vibrating with years of suppressed rage. “She knew what your father did to my family. She knew he drove my grandfather to suicide after he stole our company. And when I came to confront him, he laughed in my face.”

“So you killed him,” Luca said. It wasn't a question.

“He had a heart attack!” Vanessa snapped. “I didn't lay a finger on him. He got so angry during our argument that his heart simply gave out. I just… watched him fall. And I didn't call an ambulance.”

Julia let out a small, horrified gasp from behind Luca.

Vanessa glared at her. “Oh, shut up, you pathetic little mouse. You think you’re so innocent?” She looked back at Luca. “Your mother found his body. She knew I was there. She paid me five million dollars to keep quiet about the ledgers so her precious son’s legacy wouldn't be ruined.”

“But five million wasn't enough, was it?” Luca asked, the disgust thick in his throat.

“No,” Vanessa smiled coldly. “I wanted the estate. I wanted the name. I wanted to take everything your father loved, just like he took everything from me. So I integrated myself into your world. I made you fall in love with me. And tomorrow, when we sign the marriage papers, half of this empire becomes legally mine.”

“We aren't getting married tomorrow,” Luca said flatly. “We are getting married on Saturday. And now, we aren't getting married at all.”

Vanessa’s smile widened into something terrifying.

“Oh, darling. You really haven't been paying attention tonight.”

She reached into the pocket of her gown and pulled out a small, glass vial. It was empty.

“Dr. Harris is a very accommodating man when you pay off his gambling debts,” Vanessa said softly. “I had him announce to the guests ten minutes ago that due to a sudden family emergency, the wedding has been moved to tomorrow morning. Private ceremony. Just the lawyers.”

Luca’s blood ran cold. “I won’t sign anything.”

“You will,” Vanessa said. “Because if you don’t, the police will receive an anonymous tip about the poison found in the wine you served your guests tonight.”

Luca stared at her in disbelief.

“I slipped a neurotoxin into the decanter during dessert,” Vanessa whispered. “It mimics a severe allergic reaction. It won't kill anyone, but it will put several prominent politicians in the hospital. And the only person seen serving that wine… was your dear, sweet Julia.”

Luca turned around.

Julia was staring at Vanessa, her face completely drained of color.

“I have the security footage, Luca,” Vanessa said smoothly. “Julia poured the wine. I can ruin her life, send her to prison, and watch her father freeze to death in his unpaid house. Or, you sign the papers tomorrow morning, and I throw the footage away.”

Vanessa walked to the door, placing her hand on the brass knob.