Chapter 11 - The Night Before the Gala
Alessia called Rosa immediately.
No answer.
She tried again.
Nothing.
Then another message arrived.
I’m okay. He thinks it belongs to old security system.
Alessia released the breath she had been holding.
Where are you?
Laundry room.
Did he remove it?
Yes.
Did he see recordings?
No. Memory card was already changed.
Rosa had followed Jonathan’s instructions.
Every morning she swapped the card.
The camera Garrett found contained only a few hours of harmless footage.
Still, the discovery changed everything.
Garrett knew someone had been watching his study.
Alessia called Jonathan.
“We should cancel.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“If Garrett believes you know, cancelling could send him running.”
“I don’t care if he runs.”
“You will if he destroys evidence or reaches Lily before we can stop him.”
Alessia hated the truth of it.
“What do investigators say?”
“They want the gala to proceed, but with increased security.”
“No one gets near Lily.”
“Agreed.”
“Not for 1 second.”
“Agreed.”
Alessia slept for less than 2 hours.
At 6:30 a.m., she found Garrett standing in the kitchen.
He was holding the hidden camera.
“Do you know what this is?”
Alessia looked at it.
“A camera.”
“I found it in my study.”
She frowned.
“Why is there a camera in your study?”
“That’s what I’m asking.”
“Ask security.”
“I did.”
“And?”
“They didn’t install it.”
Alessia poured coffee.
Garrett watched every movement.
“You don’t seem concerned.”
“Should I be?”
“Someone has been spying on me.”
“Maybe they were spying on me.”
Garrett stared at her.
She took a sip.
Then she smiled.
“Unless there’s something in your office more interesting than my house.”
His expression tightened.
Evelyn entered.
She saw the camera.
Her face changed instantly.
“What is that?”
Garrett answered without looking away from Alessia.
“A problem.”
Alessia put down her coffee.
“I have a gala to prepare.”
As she passed Evelyn, she felt the older woman watching her.
At noon, Lily arrived.
Alessia met the car herself.
Lily stepped out wearing jeans and carrying her backpack.
She ran into Alessia’s arms.
“Mommy.”
Alessia held her tighter than usual.
Cecilia approached.
“She almost changed her mind 3 times.”
“I don’t blame her.”
Lily whispered, “Can we go back?”
Alessia knelt.
“If you want to leave, we leave.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Lily looked toward the mansion.
Then something changed in her expression.
She straightened.
“I want Grandma Evelyn to know I told you the truth.”
Alessia’s eyes filled.
“You don’t owe her anything.”
“I know.”
“Then why stay?”
Lily looked at her mother.
“Because I’m not a liar.”
Alessia kissed her forehead.
“No. You aren’t.”
By 6:30 p.m., guests began arriving.
The mansion transformed.
Music filled the ballroom.
Champagne moved through the crowd.
The fountain reflected warm golden light.
The silver banquet console gleamed beneath massive floral arrangements.
Everything looked beautiful.
Alessia had never hated the house more.
Garrett wore a black tuxedo.
He moved through the guests with effortless confidence.
Evelyn wore dark green and pearls.
She looked like aristocracy.
Lily changed into a pale pink party dress.
Alessia wore black.
At 7:05, Jonathan approached.
“The district attorney’s people are in place.”
“Vale?”
“Cooperating.”
“Mercer?”
“Nearby.”
“Rosa?”
“Safe.”
Alessia nodded.
“What about the safe evidence?”
“Logged.”
“And Vincent?”
Jonathan’s expression softened.
“We have enough to move on conspiracy and fraud. Homicide charges depend on what prosecutors can prove.”
Alessia looked across the ballroom at Garrett.
“I want him to confess.”
Jonathan followed her gaze.
“Don’t chase a confession.”
“I’m not.”
“Good.”
“I’m going to let him believe he won.”
At 7:40, Garrett approached the stage.
He tapped his glass.
The room quieted.
“Tonight is about family.”
Alessia almost laughed.
Garrett continued.
“About legacy. About protecting what we inherit and what we leave behind.”
He gestured toward Alessia.
“My wife has carried an extraordinary burden since losing her father.”
There it was.
The performance had begun.
Garrett’s tone softened.
“And sometimes even the strongest people need help.”
Alessia heard murmurs.
Jonathan moved closer.
Garrett looked directly at her.
“Alessia, I hope you’ll forgive me.”
She stared at him.
“For what?”
Evelyn stepped forward.
“For telling the truth.”
Garrett nodded toward the ballroom entrance.
A man entered.
Dr. Stephen Vale.
Alessia pretended to be shocked.
May you like
Garrett smiled.
He had no idea Vale had already betrayed him.
