Chapter 3 - The Lethal Secret
Elena practically carried Mia and the shivering puppy down the long, shadowed hallway to the estate's massive kitchen.
She locked the heavy wooden door behind them, her chest heaving as she slid down the wall to the floor. She was hyperventilating, but it wasn't just because of the confrontation in the foyer.
It was because Elena knew exactly who Camilla really was.
Two nights ago, while Elena was quietly cleaning the master study, she had been trapped in the shadows. She had overheard Camilla talking to Victor—Lorenzo’s massively built, incredibly arrogant Underboss.
Elena had held her breath as she listened to them plot a massive corporate takeover. They weren't just having an affair; they were actively planning to assassinate Lorenzo before the wedding, using a highly concentrated, untraceable cardiac poison so Camilla would inherit the entire empire as a grieving widow.
Suddenly, the kitchen door violently burst open.
Camilla stormed into the room, followed closely by Victor. The Underboss crossed his massive, muscular arms, blocking the only exit.
Camilla didn't yell this time. She walked directly up to Elena, her designer heels clicking dangerously against the tile. She leaned down, her face inches from the terrified maid.
"You think you won today because the boss felt sorry for your brat?" Camilla whispered, her voice dripping with pure, demonic venom.
Victor pulled a heavy, suppressed tactical pistol from his shoulder holster. He didn't point it at Elena. He casually, terrifyingly rested the barrel of the gun on the counter, right next to Mia’s little toy box.
"We know you were in the study on Tuesday, Elena," Victor growled smoothly.
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"If you ever say a single word to Lorenzo," Camilla threatened, grabbing Elena by the collar of her black and white uniform, "I will ensure child protective services drags Mia to an orphanage so fast your head spins. And then, Victor will make sure you disappear entirely."
👉 Elena swore absolute silence, completely unaware that Camilla was about to frame her anyway.
