Chapter 14 - THE TRAP AT THE FERRARA GALA|
The Ferrara Foundation's annual charity gala was supposed to celebrate the restoration of a children's hospital wing.
Instead, it became the stage for the most dangerous night of Roman's life.
Claudia insisted that the event proceed as scheduled. She argued that canceling would invite speculation about the company's finances. Roman agreed, but only after Margaret secured independent oversight of the foundation's accounts and Dante arranged additional security.
Evelyn was still recovering.
She wanted to stay home, but Roman did not pressure her to attend. He told her the decision was hers, and she chose to come because the hospital had helped her during the worst night of her life.
She wore a simple dark green dress and carried a small silver pendant that had belonged to her mother.
When she entered the ballroom, conversations faltered.
Some guests recognized her as Roman's estranged wife. Others knew the rumors that she had stolen money from the company. Several looked away when she approached.
Roman met her at the entrance.
“You don't have to stay,” he said.
“I know.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I'm tired of letting people who hurt me decide where I can stand.”
He offered his arm.
She accepted it, but the gesture was cautious.
Across the ballroom, Vanessa watched them with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
Claudia approached the stage shortly after eight. She announced that the foundation would be restructuring its leadership and introduced Vanessa as a special adviser.
Roman looked toward Margaret.
“She isn't authorized to represent the company.”
Margaret nodded.
“I'll handle it.”
Before she could move, the ballroom screens flickered.
A series of financial documents appeared, followed by photographs of Evelyn outside the workshop and a statement accusing her of diverting company funds.
Gasps filled the room.
Vanessa stepped toward the microphone.
“I regret that private family matters have become public. But the Ferrara family deserves honesty.”
She looked directly at Evelyn.
“For years, this woman has used Roman's affection to conceal financial misconduct. The documents speak for themselves.”
Evelyn went pale.
Roman moved toward the stage, but Dante touched his arm.
“Wait. Look at the timestamps.”
The documents were reproductions of records from the safety deposit box. Someone had altered the dates and removed the corresponding entries showing that the payments had been authorized by Claudia.
Margaret approached the projection technician and ordered the presentation stopped.
Vanessa continued speaking.
“Roman has been manipulated by a woman who has never understood the responsibilities of his position.”
Roman took the microphone.
“That's enough.”
His voice cut through the ballroom.
He looked at the guests.
“The documents displayed here are incomplete and have been altered. An independent investigation is underway. Until it concludes, no one should treat these accusations as established facts.”
Vanessa laughed.
“Are you asking everyone to believe you over the evidence?”
“No. I'm asking them to wait for the complete evidence.”
Roman turned toward Evelyn.
“She has endured more than any person should because I believed accusations without demanding proof. I won't repeat that mistake tonight.”
The room fell silent.
He placed a hand over the microphone.
“I also owe my wife a public apology. I failed to protect her. I failed to listen to her. And I allowed people I trusted to convince me that cruelty was a sign of strength.”
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
Roman continued.
“I cannot undo what I did. But I will not let anyone use my mistakes as an excuse to harm her again.”
A sudden crash came from the service corridor.
Dante's hand moved toward his earpiece.
Two security officers hurried across the ballroom.
The fire alarm began to sound.
Guests started shouting as smoke drifted from a side entrance. The ballroom lights flickered, then went dark.
Roman reached for Evelyn.
“Stay with me.”
She caught his hand.
“I am.”
Emergency lights illuminated the room in red.
Then someone shouted that a fire had broken out near the archive room.
Roman looked toward the corridor.
The original records were stored there under Margaret's supervision.
He knew immediately that the gala's scandal had been a distraction.
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Someone was trying to destroy the evidence.
And this time, Roman intended to catch them in the act.
