Chapter 5 - the poison in the tea
Before Lorenzo could issue a order to his security team, a soft knock rattled the master suite door.
A young footman stepped into the room, carrying a silver tray with a porcelain teapot and two cups. "Miss Bianca requested that I bring Miss Evelyn a pot of chamomile tea to help her sleep."
Lorenzo eyed the teapot with immediate suspicion. He stepped forward, lifting the porcelain lid and sniffing the steam rising from the liquid. A faint, bitter scent of almond hung in the air.
"Anna," Lorenzo said calmly, turning to the maid. "Where did the footman get this tea?"
"From the private kitchen pantry, sir," Anna replied, her eyes widening in realization. "Miss Bianca went into the pantry ten minutes ago!"
Lorenzo turned to the nervous footman. "Take a sip."
The footman’s face turned white as sheet. "S-sir?"
"Drink it," Lorenzo commanded, his voice dropping to a terrifying level.
The footman dropped the silver tray onto the carpet with a deafening crash. The teapot shattered, splashing dark tea across the rug as the footman dropped to his knees, trembling violently. "I didn't know! I swear I didn't know! Miss Bianca paid me five thousand dollars to deliver it!"
Lorenzo didn't waste another second. He pulled his black sidearm from his shoulder holster, chambering a round with a lethal metallic snap.
"Anna, lock this door from the inside and stay with Evelyn," Lorenzo ordered sharply. "If anyone touches this handle who isn't me, shoot them."
Lorenzo handed a small, compact revolver from his desk drawer to Anna. The young housemaid took the weapon with shaking hands, her soft brown eyes filled with brave determination.
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"I won't let anyone hurt her, Mr. Moretti," Anna vowed softly.
Lorenzo gave a single nod, turned on his heel, and strode out into the dimly lit hallway, his mind focused on ending his sister's betrayal once and for all.
