Chapter 2 - The Camera Showed Someone Pouring Poison Into Alejandro’s Wine, but the Face Was Hidden—Until My Mother Saw the Man’s RingThe security team recovered the footage.
Everyone was ordered into the dining room.
No phones.
No leaving.
No exceptions.
Alejandro sat at the head of the table.
He looked weak.
But his eyes were sharp.
A doctor had insisted he rest.
He refused.
The recording began.
2:03 p.m.
Alejandro entered the study.
2:07.
A servant delivered wine.
2:09.
Alejandro left to take a phone call.
2:11.
Someone entered.
The figure wore a dark suit.
Gloves.
Hat.
The face was hidden.
He poured something into the wine.
Then left.
Two minutes later, Alejandro returned.
The screen changed.
2:16.
He drank.
2:18.
He collapsed.
Everyone remained silent.
Then the camera zoomed slightly.
The man's hand appeared.
A ring.
Silver.
A black stone.
My mother gasped.
Everyone turned.
Alejandro looked at her.
“You recognize it.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“You do.”
Her breathing changed.
I stepped closer.
“Mama?”
She wouldn't look at me.
Alejandro's expression hardened.
“Tell me.”
She whispered:
“Your brother wore one.”
The room went completely still.
Alejandro's younger brother had died seven years earlier.
His name was Matteo.
At least, that was what I had heard.
I had only ever seen his photograph.
Alejandro stood slowly.
“You're saying Matteo's ring was in my study?”
My mother looked down.
“I said someone wearing it.”
“That ring was unique.”
Silence.
Then the security director spoke.
“Boss, there's more.”
He brought up another recording.
A hallway camera.
The same man.
He entered through a restricted door.
The door had been opened using an employee access card.
The employee was:
Elena Carter.
My mother.
I stared.
Mama's face went white.
“I didn't do this.”
Alejandro looked at her.
“I believe you.”
That surprised everyone.
Then he asked:
“Who has access to your card?”
She answered:
“No one.”
The camera showed someone copying the card six hours earlier.
The person wore a housekeeper's uniform.
But the face was obscured.
Alejandro ordered every employee searched.
They found a second phone.
Hidden inside a linen cart.
Messages.
Payment records.
Photos.
And one message:
THE GIRL MUST NOT SPEAK.
My stomach dropped.
I was the girl.
Alejandro looked at me.
His expression became protective.
“You will not leave my side.”
Mama objected.
“She doesn't belong in this.”
Alejandro answered:
“She already is.”
Then the security director found another file.
A photograph of me.
Taken before I ever started working at the mansion.
Behind it was one line:
The child has the blood marker.
Alejandro looked at me.
“Emma.”
May you like
I didn't understand.
But he did.
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