Chapter 3 - The Alliance Shatters
Victor Rossi slammed his heavy glass onto the table, cognac splashing across the white linen tablecloth. "What did she just call you?!"
"She called me what she has had the right to call me for four years, Victor," I said quietly, my voice dropping into a lethal, ice-cold register.
I opened the black binder and tossed the first set of documents directly in front of Vivian.
"Read page three, Vivian," I commanded. "It's the forensic toxicology report conducted by Dr. Elena Vance at New York Presbyterian Hospital four hours ago."
Vivian’s hands trembled as she picked up the document. Her eyes scanned the lines, and the color drained from her face so fast she looked like a ghost beneath the candlelight.
"What is this nonsense?" Victor roared, standing up from his chair.
"It's the chemical analysis of the 'heart vitamins' your family physician, Dr. Samuel Miller, has been prescribing me for six years, Victor," I replied, stepping toward him. "A continuous, low-dose synthetic toxin designed to induce permanent medical sterility, ensuring I could never produce a biological heir of my own."
Gasps erupted from the syndicate bosses seated along the table.
"You lie!" Vivian screamed, standing up and tearing the paper into pieces. "This is a fabrication! You're trying to ruin our marriage because of some sick obsession with your dead maid!"
"Sophia Carter didn't lie, Vivian," I said, leaning over the table, my gray eyes locking onto hers with terrifying intensity. "She carried my true, biological daughter in secret to protect her from the very people sitting at this table. My late brother Daniel foresaw your family's treachery, and he ensured my bloodline survived before you could murder him."
Victor Rossi reached toward his coat pocket, but before his fingers could touch his holster, the heavy doors of the dining room burst open.
May you like
Ten state federal marshals, accompanied by Lena Ortiz and three independent forensic investigators, marched into the room.
"Victor Rossi and Vivian Rossi," the lead agent announced, pulling out a federal warrant. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit medical poisoning, racketeering, and complicity in the murder of Daniel Duca."
