Chapter 9 - THE ENGAGEMENT THAT ENDED IN SILENCE
The following evening, Dante invited Richard and Vanessa Bennett to dinner.
The table was set for six.
Dante sat at the head.
Vanessa wore a red silk dress.
Richard looked pleased.
“This is more like it,” Vanessa said.
Dante said nothing.
Isabella entered first.
Vanessa froze.
Then Elena appeared beside Margaret.
Vanessa stood.
“What is this?”
Dante looked at her.
“A conversation you should have had six years ago.”
Vanessa's face went pale.
Isabella sat.
Elena remained standing.
Dante placed a folder on the table.
“Six years ago, Isabella was injured at the Halcyon Club.”
Richard's expression hardened.
Dante continued.
“Evidence suggests Vanessa caused the injury.”
Vanessa laughed nervously.
“This is ridiculous.”
Dante opened the folder.
“And three months ago, someone paid the Bellamy Grand to accuse Elena Carter of theft.”
Richard stood.
“Dante—”
“Sit down.”
The room went silent.
Dante looked at Vanessa.
“Did you arrange it?”
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“Darling, I love you.”
Dante's expression did not change.
“That wasn't my question.”
She looked at Elena.
Hatred flashed across her face.
“She ruined everything.”
Dante went still.
Vanessa's voice rose.
“She was supposed to disappear!”
Richard grabbed her arm.
“Vanessa.”
But it was too late.
The words hung in the room.
Dante slowly removed the engagement ring from his pocket.
He placed it on the table.
“The engagement is over.”
Vanessa stared.
“No.”
Dante looked at her.
“You don't get to build a marriage on cruelty.”
Vanessa began crying.
Richard's face hardened.
“You'll regret humiliating my daughter.”
Dante looked at him.
“No.”
May you like
His voice was quiet.
“I'll regret that I nearly married her.”
