Chapter 5 - The Confession in the Shadows
Back at the Duca estate, the atmosphere had shifted from quiet tension to a state of armed lockdown. Security teams patrolled the perimeter walls, their rifles held at the ready. Inside the grand kitchen, Grace Carter sat with Emma, who was happily eating a bowl of warm oatmeal prepared by the estate’s head chef, while Dr. Vance checked Grace’s vitals one final time.
“Your blood pressure is stabilizing, Grace,” Dr. Vance said, packing up his stethoscope. “You need rest, proper nutrition, and zero stress. The Boss has already taken care of the financial agency. You don't have to worry about Vanguard Finance anymore.”
Grace looked up, tears of sheer disbelief welling in her eyes. “He... he paid it off?”
“He did more than that,” a voice echoed from the doorway.
Marco Rinaldi walked into the kitchen, his face grim. He dismissed the chef and Dr. Vance with a subtle wave of his hand, waiting until the doors closed before walking over to the table. He knelt down so he was at eye level with little Emma.
“Emma, sweetie,” Marco said gently. “Can you do Uncle Marco a huge favor? Go with Mrs. Gable to the playroom down the hall for just a little bit. I need to talk to your mommy about a grown-up puzzle.”
Emma nodded brightly, sliding off her chair and taking the housekeeper’s hand. “Okay! Come on, Mr. Rabbit, we’re going to play blocks.”
Once the heavy oak doors clicked shut, Grace looked at Marco with sudden anxiety. “Marco? What’s wrong? Is Mr. Duca okay?”
“Lorenzo is fine. He’s on his way back from Manhattan,” Marco said, pulling out the folded forensic report and the silver locket from his pocket and placing them gently on the kitchen table. “Grace... I need you to listen to me very carefully. Did anyone ask you to leave the second study door unlocked last night?”
Grace recoiled slightly, her eyes widening in shock. “What? No! I would never! I was just cleaning—”
“I know you were set up, Grace,” Marco interrupted gently, holding up a hand. “Look at this locket.”
Grace gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “That’s... that’s little Lily’s locket. The one from the car accident three years ago. Where did you get that?”
“Emma found it hidden inside Lorenzo’s private desk drawer upstairs,” Marco said grimly. “Along with this.” He tapped the forensic report. “A report proving that Lily’s car wasn't destroyed by a random bomb. It was sabotaged from the inside. And the person who did it is still living on this estate, feeding information to Salvatore Baron.”
Grace’s breath hitched. “Dear God... who?”
Before Marco could answer, the overhead lights in the kitchen flickered once, twice, and then completely died, plunging the room into a tense, gray gloom as the backup emergency generators kicked in with a low, distant hum.
At the exact same moment, the security alarm panel on the kitchen wall let out a sharp, ear-piercing beep.
Warning: Perimeter Gate Breached. Sector Four Camera Offline.
Marco stood up instantly, drawing his pistol from his shoulder holster with a practiced, fluid motion. “Stay under this table, Grace. Do not move, no matter what you hear.”
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“Marco!” Grace cried out, grabbing his sleeve. “Emma is down the hall!”
“I’ll protect them both,” Marco promised, turning and sprinting out the kitchen doors into the darkened corridor.
