Chapter 7 - The Confrontation
Patricia’s heart stopped. The color drained from her face so fast she looked like a marble statue standing under the crystalline chandelier. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Vance stumbled backward against the mahogany desk, his eyes wide with absolute, chaotic horror.
"E-Emiliano?" Patricia choked out, her voice trembling like a dried leaf in the wind. "You... you're in Europe... your flight—"
"My flight was canceled, Patricia," Emiliano said calmly. He walked slowly into the center of the room, his hands clasped casually behind his back. His suit was dark, immaculate, and his face was a mask of cold, unyielding iron. "Or rather, it never existed."
"I... I don't understand," Patricia stammered, trying desperately to pull her slipping mask back into place. A horrific, fake smile wavered on her lips. "Darling! You're home! Why didn't you call? We... we were so worried about you! Julian here was just... he was visiting to offer his condolences regarding your business emergency—"
"Save it, Patricia," Emiliano interrupted, his voice dropping into a register that made the glass fixtures on the walls hum softly. "The act is over."
He raised his right hand and pressed a button on a small remote control he was holding.
Instantly, the grand wall behind his desk dropped its wooden paneling, revealing a massive high-definition television screen. The screen flickered to life, displaying a crystal-clear video loop with crisp, fully amplified digital audio.
“Did I ask for your opinion?” Patricia’s voice echoed through the high-ceilinged library from the TV speakers. “Then remember your place... You think because Emiliano gives you a decent salary, you're part of this family? You're a servant, Rosa. A low-class nobody.”
Patricia gasped, putting her hands over her mouth.
The video shifted to the footage of Patricia snatching Martina's stuffed rabbit, throwing it onto the sofa, and ripping her own gold necklace from her throat before hiding it under the couch cushions.
“Let's see what Emiliano says when he finds his wife's gold necklace tucked into your quarters,” Patricia’s recorded voice purred sinisterly through the room. “You're done here, Rosa. And as for you two... once I am officially married to your father, you will be sent to a boarding school in the mountains.”
Vance turned on Patricia, his face twisting in rage. "You stupid, careless bitch!" he hissed under his breath. "You said there were no cameras in the private living areas!"
"There weren't!" Patricia cried out, her voice cracking into a panicked shriek. "He... he installed them!"
"I installed them three days ago, Patricia," Emiliano said, taking three steps toward them. "Because you were so persistent in telling me that someone in this house was a liar and a thief. You were right. I just looked in the wrong direction."
"Emiliano, please!" Patricia threw herself forward, dropping to her knees on the Persian rug, clutching at the hem of his trousers. Tears of genuine, pathetic panic streamed down her cheeks, smearing her makeup. "He made me do it! Julian forced me! He threatened my life! He said he would kill me if I didn't help him steal your company! I love you, Emiliano! I love the girls! Please, you have to believe me!"
Vance's face turned crimson. "You lying snake!" Vance roared, stepping forward and pointing a trembling finger at her. "You came to me six months ago with this entire scheme! You were the one who forged his digital keys!"
Emiliano looked down at the woman weeping at his feet with profound, icy contempt. He did not step away; he simply stood there, detached and cold as a stone mountain.
"You mentioned my late wife yesterday, Patricia," Emiliano said softly. "You asked my ten-year-old daughter if she was as stupid as her dead mother."
Patricia choked on her breath, shivering violently. "I... I was angry... I didn't mean it—"
"Sofia was a lady," Emiliano said, his voice dropping into a dark, terrible whisper. "She built this family with love, grace, and dignity. You are nothing more than a cheap, violent fraud who preyed on grieving children."
The double doors of the library swung open once again.
This time, the Chief of Police entered the room, flanked by six armed officers in full tactical gear, along with Arthur Pendelton, Emiliano's head family attorney.
"Chief Miller," Emiliano said, without taking his eyes off Patricia. "These two individuals are trespassing on private property. Furthermore, they are under investigation for corporate espionage, wire fraud, attempted grand larceny, extortion, and felony child endangerment."
Chief Miller stepped forward, pulling a pair of heavy steel handcuffs from his belt. "Julian Vance, Patricia Higgins, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent..."
As the officers pulled Patricia up from the floor, she began to scream frantically, kicking her legs and reaching out toward Emiliano. "Emiliano! Please! Don't do this! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
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"Take them away," Emiliano said quietly, turning his back on them completely.
Vance was marched out in silence, his head hung low, knowing his corporate empire, his reputation, and his freedom were completely destroyed. Patricia’s hysterical shrieks faded down the long marble corridor until the front door slammed shut, leaving the mansion in profound, beautiful silence.
