Chapter 5 - The Snake in the House
The name hung in the quiet VIP lounge like a live grenade.
Victoria was Vincent’s current, high-society fiancée. She was the daughter of a powerful underboss, a woman who had stepped in to "comfort" Vincent after Claire’s mysterious disappearance. They were scheduled to be married next month to solidify the syndicates.
"Victoria?" Vincent repeated, his brilliant, calculating mind racing. "Victoria didn't even live in the estate back then."
"She was there the day you left for Miami," Claire cried softly, resting a protective hand on Lily’s head. "I was packing my bags to surprise you at the hotel. But Victoria came into my bedroom. She locked the door. She threw a forged medical document on the bed."
Vincent stopped breathing. "What document?"
"An appointment at an underground abortion clinic," Claire sobbed, the trauma of that day flooding back. "She told me you had found out about the pregnancy. She said you didn't want the mistake ruining your empire."
"I didn't know you were pregnant!" Vincent roared, the sheer volume of his voice making the heavy glass windows rattle.
Lily flinched, looking up with wide, frightened eyes. Vincent immediately clamped his jaw shut, forcing himself to take a deep, shuddering breath to calm down for his daughter's sake.
"She lied to you, Claire," Vincent whispered, dropping to one knee in front of the sofa. "I would have given you the world."
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"She didn't just tell me, Vincent," Claire replied, her voice breaking. "She proved it. She played an audio recording on her phone. I heard your voice."
👉 What exactly did Vincent say on the secret audio recording?
