Chapter 2 - The Manager's Cruelty
The absolute silence in the grand hall morphed into a heavy, suffocating tension.
Damiano slowly took the crumpled piece of construction paper from Lily’s small hands. It was a flyer for the local elite private school, a school Damiano himself funded. Written across the bottom in harsh red ink were the words: No Father, No Entry. Mandatory Participation.
"Who gave this to your mother?" Damiano asked quietly.
"Ms. Beatrice," Lily whispered, looking around nervously. "She said bastards don't belong in fancy schools."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
Beatrice was Damiano’s Head Estate Manager. She was a bitter, arrogant woman who handled the massive staff payroll and household logistics. She was also standing just a few feet away, holding a crystal champagne flute.
When Beatrice heard her name, the color completely drained from her face. She quickly stepped out of the crowd, her expensive silk dress rustling as she forced a panicked, nervous laugh.
"Mr. Verrone, I am so sorry!" Beatrice gasped, motioning frantically to two massive security guards. "This child is delusional! The maid must have let her wander off. Guards, remove her immediately! I will fire the mother tonight for this embarrassment!"
A guard stepped forward, reaching out a massive hand to grab the little girl’s shoulder.
Damiano didn't raise his voice. He didn't even look at the guard.
"If you touch her," Damiano said smoothly, "you will leave this estate in a very small box."
The guard froze instantly, violently pulling his hand back.
Beatrice began to sweat, the crystal glass shaking in her manicured hand. "Sir... the child is lying. I was simply explaining the school’s strict policy to the maid. It's a prestigious academy. We can't have the staff's illegitimate children ruining the image—"
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"Beatrice," Damiano interrupted, his dark eyes locking onto the estate manager. "Do you know who paid for Elena's daughter to attend that school?"
👉 What massive secret is Damiano about to reveal about the maid and her child?
