Chapter 4 - The Fiancée’s Real Plan
Vivien was waiting in the drawing room when Adrienne returned that evening.
She had dressed for dinner.
Cream dress.
Pearl earrings.
Perfect posture.
Adrienne entered alone.
“Where is Bruno?”
She asked it as though nothing had happened.
“Alive.”
Something flashed across her face.
Disappointment.
Small.
But visible.
Adrienne closed the doors behind him.
“You hoped he wasn’t.”
Vivien stood.
“You’ve decided I’m guilty.”
“No.”
Adrienne crossed toward the fireplace.
“I know you are.”
She gave a brittle laugh.
“Based on what?”
“Your security code.”
“Circumstantial.”
“Camera access.”
“Also circumstantial.”
“The drug residue from Bruno’s bowl matches the sedative in his bloodstream.”
Vivien’s mouth went dry.
Adrienne continued.
“Your brother’s man owns the vehicle that took him.”
Silence.
“And that man left a phone at the warehouse.”
Vivien turned toward the window.
“You don’t understand.”
Adrienne watched her.
“Then explain.”
She slowly faced him.
“I wanted Bruno gone.”
“Why?”
“Because you trust him more than you trust me.”
Adrienne said nothing.
Vivien laughed.
“You think that sounds ridiculous?”
“Yes.”
“Everything in this house revolves around that animal.”
“No.”
“Your routines. Your study. Your bedroom. Your travel schedule.”
She stepped closer.
“You won’t even let me move his bed.”
“It’s his bed.”
“It’s a dog bed.”
“It was there before you.”
Vivien stared at him.
“That is exactly the problem.”
Adrienne’s eyes narrowed.
“The dog knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That you hated him.”
“No.”
Her expression changed.
“He knew something else.”
Vivien looked away.
Adrienne understood.
“You weren’t afraid of Bruno because he might bite you.”
Silence.
“You were afraid because he didn’t trust you.”
Vivien’s jaw tightened.
“He growled every time Salvatore came here.”
Adrienne’s eyes hardened.
“There it is.”
She realized too late.
Adrienne stepped closer.
“What are you and your brother planning?”
“Nothing.”
“Vivien.”
“I said nothing.”
Adrienne looked toward the door.
“Tony.”
The door opened.
Tony entered carrying a folder.
Vivien stared.
Adrienne took it.
“My accountants reviewed the charitable trust you convinced me to establish.”
Vivien’s face went pale.
“Adrienne—”
“Three shell companies.”
He opened the folder.
“Two controlled by your brother.”
“That isn’t what it looks like.”
“One-point-eight million dollars moved in six weeks.”
“I can explain.”
“I’m listening.”
She did not speak.
Adrienne closed the folder.
“That was why Bruno had to disappear.”
Vivien laughed bitterly.
“A dog cannot read bank statements.”
“No.”
Adrienne’s gaze remained fixed on her.
“But Bruno growled whenever Salvatore entered my office.”
Vivien stared.
“Because Salvatore had been going into that office when I wasn’t home.”
No answer.
“Bruno caught him.”
Vivien’s silence became confession.
Adrienne nodded slowly.
“You thought eventually I would wonder why.”
“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”
“What was supposed to happen?”
Her eyes filled, but Adrienne showed no sympathy.
“Salvatore said it was temporary.”
“The money?”
“Yes.”
“You stole from me.”
“My brother borrowed from you.”
“Without asking.”
“He had debts.”
“That sounds like theft.”
Vivien shook her head.
“You don’t understand what it’s like being Salvatore’s sister.”
Adrienne gave a humorless smile.
“And you don’t understand what it’s like being my fiancée.”
She recoiled.
“Meaning?”
“It means stealing from me was stupid.”
Fear replaced anger.
Adrienne moved toward the door.
“You’re leaving.”
“Adrienne.”
“Tonight.”
“What about the engagement?”
“There is no engagement.”
Vivien’s face crumpled.
“You’re ending this over a dog?”
Adrienne stopped.
“No.”
He looked back.
“I’m ending it because a three-year-old child had more courage to tell me the truth than the woman who expected to become my wife.”
Vivien swallowed.
“What happens to Salvatore?”
“That depends on Salvatore.”
She stared at him.
“You’ll ruin him.”
“He ruined himself.”
Tony stepped forward.
Vivien glared at Adrienne.
“You think that maid and her child are loyal to you?”
Adrienne’s face went still.
“What?”
“You think Elena works here because she respects you?”
Vivien smiled bitterly.
“She needs money. That’s all.”
Adrienne’s voice sharpened.
“Be careful.”
“You trust a widow who moved onto your property because she was broke.”
Adrienne walked close enough that Vivien finally stopped talking.
“I don’t trust Elena.”
His eyes became cold.
“Yet.”
Then he looked toward the hallway.
“But when her child saw something dangerous, she told the truth.”
He opened the door.
“And when you had everything, you lied.”
Vivien left the Moretti estate before midnight.
But Salvatore Romano did not intend to disappear quietly.
At 1:17 a.m., Adrienne received a call.
Tony spoke from the security office.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“We caught someone outside the back quarters.”
Adrienne was already moving.
“Who?”
“One of Salvatore’s men.”
Adrienne stopped.
“Why was he near Elena’s room?”
Tony did not answer immediately.
When he did, his voice was grim.
“He had photographs.”
“Of what?”
May you like
“Mia.”
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