Chapter 10 - THE PRICE OF TELLING THE TRUTH
The breakup became public within hours.
News outlets reported that the Moretti-Bennett engagement had ended.
Investors panicked.
Stock prices fell.
Rumors spread.
Richard Bennett retaliated.
He threatened legal action.
He withdrew financing.
He pressured business partners to abandon Dante.
But Dante had prepared.
His attorneys had reviewed the merger agreement.
His financial team had secured alternative funding.
And investigators were already examining the Bellamy Grand payments.
Elena watched the chaos from the servants' corridor.
She felt responsible.
When Dante found her in the kitchen, she was packing her suitcase.
He stopped.
“Where are you going?”
She looked up.
“I can't stay.”
“Why?”
“Because everything is falling apart.”
Dante stared.
“Elena—”
She shook her head.
“You lost your engagement. Your business is under attack. People are talking.”
Her voice broke.
“And it's because of me.”
Dante stepped closer.
“No.”
She looked at him.
“This happened because Vanessa and Richard made choices.”
He paused.
“Not because you told the truth.”
Elena's eyes filled.
“But I'm just a maid.”
Dante's expression changed.
He looked at her.
“You are the woman who showed me that kindness is not weakness.”
Her breath caught.
“The woman who made me question what kind of man I wanted to be.”
He swallowed.
“And the woman I have been trying not to love since the night you bandaged my hand.”
Elena stopped breathing.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then she whispered:
“Dante.”
He shook his head.
“You don't have to answer.”
His voice softened.
“I just couldn't let you leave believing you were the reason my life was falling apart.”
Elena stared.
Then tears slipped down her cheeks.
Because for the first time, she understood.
May you like
He hadn't been looking at her with pity.
He had been looking at her with love.
