Chapter 7 - The Woman Who Wasn't Supposed to Win
After the attack, Lucas returned to Manhattan with Matteo and Hannah under increased security.
The five women from the original meeting had all heard rumors about what happened. Two sent flowers. One sent a message expressing concern about the family's public image.
The woman in black, Veronica Shaw, sent something different.
A letter.
She requested a private meeting with Lucas and claimed she had information about Victor.
Lucas agreed to see her in his office.
Hannah was present because Matteo had asked her not to leave him alone that afternoon, and Lucas refused to send her away.
Veronica entered wearing the same immaculate black suit she had worn during the selection evening.
“I know who arranged the attack,” she said.
Lucas's expression did not change.
“Then tell me.”
“Victor's security chief. He used men who no longer work directly for the family.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because my father invested in one of Victor's companies. I recently discovered that the company was used to conceal illegal transfers.”
She placed a folder on the desk.
Inside were transaction records that matched the files from Isabella's flash drive.
Hannah looked through them.
“Why didn't you come forward sooner?”
Veronica glanced at her.
“Because I was afraid.”
It was the same answer Margaret had given.
Hannah could see that fear had made a home in this family. It lived in the silence of employees, the obedience of relatives, and the carefully controlled expressions of people who had learned never to challenge Lucas or Victor.
“Are you willing to testify?” Lucas asked.
Veronica hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Then you'll speak to my lawyer and the investigators. You won't negotiate with Victor, contact his people, or attempt to handle this privately.”
She nodded.
Before leaving, she turned toward Hannah.
“I owe you an apology.”
Hannah looked surprised.
“For what?”
“For treating you as though you were beneath us. At the penthouse, I thought a woman like you could never understand this family.”
“And now?”
“Now I think you're the only person in this room who understands what the family actually needs.”
Hannah did not know what to say.
After Veronica left, Lucas closed the folder.
“You've changed the way people see this house.”
“I repaired a train.”
“You did more than that.”
He stepped closer.
“Matteo trusts you. My staff listens to you. And I find myself asking what you would do before I make decisions.”
Hannah's pulse quickened.
“That's because I have experience with children.”
“That's not the only reason.”
She looked away.
Lucas continued, more softly.
“I won't ask you to become my wife. I won't ask you to become Isabella. And I won't use Matteo's affection to keep you here.”
“Then what are you asking?”
He took a breath.
“I'm asking whether there's a chance you might someday see me as something other than your employer.”
Hannah stared at him.
She had expected a great many things from Lucas Ravalini.
That question was not one of them.
“I don't know,” she admitted.
He nodded.
“That's fair.”
“I care about Matteo. And I care about you. But I need to know that I'm not being hired to fill an empty space in your life.”
“You aren't.”
His answer came without hesitation.
“Matteo chose you because you treated him like a person, not a problem. I admire you because you did the same with me.”
Hannah felt her eyes sting.
“I need time.”
“You'll have it.”
He stepped back.
For the first time, Lucas had offered her something more valuable than money or protection.
May you like
A choice.
And that was the beginning of trust.
