Chapter 7 - Viola Changes the Story
Viola Russo did what powerful people often did when facts turned against them.
She changed the story.
Within forty-eight hours, society pages began receiving anonymous claims.
Elena was unstable.
Matteo was violent.
Carlo had merely “lifted Luca away from a dangerous fire pit.”
The party confrontation was described as a misunderstanding.
Then photos appeared.
Matteo punching Carlo.
Matteo kicking Carlo.
No images showed Luca above the flames.
Elena stared at the article.
“They cut the beginning.”
Matteo nodded.
“They want the reaction without the cause.”
Samuel entered with a tablet.
“It gets worse.”
Viola had filed an emergency petition seeking temporary control of Luca’s trust.
Her claim?
That Matteo’s violent behavior made him unfit to exercise fiduciary authority.
Elena laughed in disbelief.
“She had Carlo hold our baby over a fire, and now Matteo is dangerous?”
Samuel remained serious.
“The court will care about evidence.”
“We have witnesses.”
“Some are already changing their stories.”
Matteo looked up.
“What?”
Three party guests now claimed they had not clearly seen Luca above the fire.
Two catering employees suddenly remembered being outside the courtyard.
A security contractor said one courtyard camera had malfunctioned.
Viola was cleaning the scene.
Elena stood.
“Then we find the footage.”
Matteo shook his head.
“The main server belongs to the mansion.”
“Your mother controls it.”
“Yes.”
Elena thought.
Then remembered something.
The caterers.
One young server had been filming the lantern display before the confrontation.
Elena had noticed because Viola angrily ordered him to put his phone away.
They found him that night.
His name was Dylan Price.
Twenty-two.
College student.
Part-time banquet worker.
When Elena asked whether he had recorded anything, his face tightened.
“I deleted it.”
Matteo’s hope disappeared.
“Why?”
“Mrs. Russo’s assistant offered me five thousand dollars.”
“You took it?”
Dylan looked ashamed.
“Yes.”
Elena stayed calm.
“Did you empty your deleted folder?”
Dylan stared at her.
Then slowly shook his head.
Twenty minutes later, the video was recovered.
It wasn’t perfect.
Carlo was partly blocked by guests.
But Luca could clearly be heard screaming.
Elena could be seen reaching desperately.
Then Viola’s voice cut through everything.
“Sign it, Elena, and Carlo puts him down.”
Nobody spoke.
Samuel replayed the sentence.
Again.
And again.
Matteo’s face went completely still.
May you like
Viola hadn’t merely watched.
She had negotiated with Luca’s safety.
