The Cruel Stepmother Poisoned the 5-Year-Old to Keep Her in a Wheelchair — Until the Waitress Caught the Little Girl on the Gala Dance Floor

Luca didn't scream. He didn't break anything. The sheer magnitude of the betrayal bypassed anger and settled into a cold, merciless executioner's focus.

He slowly folded the lab report and slipped it into the inside pocket of his tailored dark suit. He looked at Vanessa.

Vanessa was backed up against a marble pillar, looking like a cornered rat. Her red silk gown suddenly looked like a prison uniform.

"Luca, please!" Vanessa sobbed pathetically, dropping to her knees on the marble floor. "It was the cartel's idea! My father told me to secure the trust fund! I didn't want to hurt her! I was going to stop after the wedding!"

"You tortured a five-year-old child," Luca whispered, his voice echoing off the crystal chandeliers. "My child."

Vanessa crawled forward, desperately trying to grab his polished black shoes. "I love you! I can be a good wife! Please, have mercy!"

"Mercy is for humans," Luca replied smoothly. "You are a parasite."

With blinding, terrifying speed, Luca reached down and grabbed Vanessa's left hand. He didn't care about being gentle. With one sharp, violent motion, he ripped the massive, ten-carat diamond engagement ring right off her manicured finger.

Vanessa shrieked as the symbol of her stolen wealth, her status, and her untouchable power was entirely stripped away in front of the entire high society of the city.

"Lock the doors," Luca commanded his men.