Chapter 2 - The Cost of Survival
"Thought I heard something," Vincent lied smoothly, his face an unreadable mask of cold authority. "Just checking the alarms."
Marco’s dark eyes drifted to the pantry door, lingering for a second too long. "You want me to sweep the grounds, Boss?"
"No," Vincent clapped his lieutenant on the shoulder, steering him away from the kitchen. "Get some sleep, Marco. I'm just getting paranoid in my old age."
He waited until Marco's footsteps faded up the grand staircase. Then, Vincent turned back to the pantry, quietly opening the door. The little girl was still there, trembling violently, clutching the plastic container to her chest like a shield.
Vincent crouched down, the expensive wool of his tailored suit creaking. He brought himself down to her exact eye level. He had broken grown men with just a look, but right now, he softened his voice to a whisper.
"What's your name, sweetheart?"
"Isabella," she mumbled, her eyes glued to the floor.
"Why are you eating cold leftovers in the dark, Isabella?" Vincent asked. "Doesn't your mother buy groceries?"
Isabella bit her lower lip. Tears finally welled in her eyes as truth warred with loyalty.
"She tries," the eight-year-old whispered, her voice breaking. "But she coughs so bad at night. The doctor says the medicine can fix her lungs, but it costs all her money. Mama gives me her dinner and tells me she already ate. But I hear her stomach growling. I just wanted to save some food for her."
Vincent’s chest tightened as the words landed like heavy stones.
He paid his estate staff exceptionally well. A maid in the Torino household made enough to afford a comfortable apartment, good food, and premium healthcare. There was absolutely no reason his loyal maid should be starving to death to buy basic medicine.
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Someone in his house was stealing from him.
👉 Who is stealing the maid's wages, and what will Vincent do when morning comes?
