Vanessa's Last Performance
Chapter 12 - Vanessa's Last Performance
Vanessa returned to the mansion with two attorneys and a moving company after Luca formally ended their engagement. The staff had been notified that she could collect her property under supervised arrangements. Vanessa entered the foyer wearing a white cashmere coat and the diamond ring Luca had given her, still glittering on her finger.
"You will regret humiliating me," she told him.
Luca remained near the study door. "I won't discuss this without counsel present."
"You used to trust me."
"I did."
She looked toward Mrs. Carter and the staff who had come to inventory the belongings. Her eyes found Olivia at the far end of the hallway, where she was collecting her final records for the investigation. Vanessa laughed bitterly. "All this over a girl who carried towels."
Olivia stepped forward. For months, she had rehearsed speeches filled with rage. Now the words came quietly. "You could have told the truth when Luca asked about my face. You could have called an ambulance if you thought I needed one. You could have apologized when you knew you were wrong. You did none of those things."
Vanessa's expression hardened. "You think you're better than me?"
"No. I think I deserved to be safe at work."
For a moment, Vanessa looked as though she might answer. Then she turned away. By evening, her belongings were gone and the engagement portraits had been removed. Luca stood in the empty ballroom, remembering the day he proposed. He did not feel triumphant. He felt embarrassed at how often he'd mistaken flattery for devotion.
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Daniel approached with an update: Adrian had returned to the United States after counsel arranged a voluntary interview. His financial records had been preserved. It was possible that the investigation would finally establish the truth about the missing relief funds.
Luca looked out over the long, dark table. "Make sure every employee who wants to speak has a lawyer or advocate they can choose themselves," he said. "I don't want anyone deciding what story is easiest for me to hear."
