Helena sl@pped three-year-old Elsie at her birthday party.

The little girl crashed onto the carpet crying.

"Defective children wait."

Marcus sat nearby.

He never moved.

Vittorio immediately lifted his granddaughter.

Elsie clung to his suit.

"Grandpa…

Daddy said not to help me when Grandma gets mean."

Vittorio went completely still.

Marcus stood.

"Dad, she doesn't understand."

Then Elsie pointed toward her father's jacket.

"She gave Daddy something."

Marcus instinctively covered his pocket.

Too late.

Vittorio held out his hand.

"Give it to me."

Marcus refused.

A bodyguard stepped forward.

Marcus finally handed over an envelope.

Inside was a bank receipt.

Helena had transferred a massive amount of money to Marcus that morning.

Written beside it was one instruction:

"Do not interfere tonight."

The ballroom fell silent.

Vittorio looked at Helena.

Then at his son.

"You paid him to sit there?"

Neither answered.

Elsie buried her face against Vittorio.

He stared at Marcus.

"Your daughter was crying three feet away."

Vittorio held up the receipt.

"And this was enough to keep you seated."

Marcus went pale.

Vittorio handed Elsie safely to a bodyguard.

Then slowly removed his signet ring.

"You thought Helena was paying for your silence."

His eyes hardened.

"She was buying proof that you were never worthy of being her father."

Helena's face drained too.

---

What will Vittorio do next — and will Marcus finally face what he allowed to happen to Elsie?

Comment **"NEXT"** if you want Part 2.

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