Chapter 2 - Three Minutes Between Life and Death|
Dr. Nathan Harris arrived carrying the black medical case he kept with him whenever Ethan attended a large gathering.
I had seen that case dozens of times.
Until that evening, I had never truly understood why Dominic insisted the doctor remain nearby during every important family celebration.
Ethan stood beside his father, looking confused.
“Dad, am I in trouble?”
Dominic placed a hand on his shoulder.
“No, son.”
His voice was almost gentle.
“Go sit beside Clara.”
Clara was Ethan's elderly tutor, a woman who had served the Moretti family for more than twenty years.
She immediately guided him toward a sofa.
Meanwhile, Dr. Harris knelt beside the broken cake.
“Did anyone eat from this plate?”
“No,” Dominic answered.
“Are you certain?”
“My daughter stopped him,” I whispered.
Dr. Harris looked at Lily.
Something unreadable crossed his face.
He collected a small sample of frosting and used the emergency testing equipment inside his case.
Nobody moved.
Not the guards.
Not the servants.
Not even the guests who had spent the evening pretending they were fearless around Dominic Moretti.
Three minutes passed.
Finally, Dr. Harris looked up.
“Dominic.”
Something in his voice made my stomach twist.
“Tell me.”
“The screening test is positive for peanut protein.”
Ethan was severely allergic to peanuts.
Even a small exposure could trigger a dangerous reaction.
Dr. Harris examined the result again.
“The amount appears unusually high. We need laboratory confirmation, but Ethan must not touch any food from that kitchen.”
A woman gasped.
Dominic stared at his son.
Then at Lily.
He crossed the ballroom and crouched before her again.
“Sweetheart, did you see the man's face?”
Lily shook her head.
“He wore a funny hat.”
“What kind?”
“A kitchen hat.”
Dominic glanced toward Gabriel.
“Bring me everyone who entered that kitchen.”
Gabriel nodded.
“And don't let anyone leave the property.”
I suddenly realized what was happening.
The mansion had become a prison.
Every guest was a potential witness.
Every employee was a possible suspect.
And my three-year-old daughter was the only person who had seen the attacker.
I reached for Lily's hand.
“Mr. Moretti, she's frightened.”
Dominic looked at me.
For a moment, the terrifying businessman disappeared.
I saw only a father who had nearly lost his child.
“Mrs. Ellis.”
“My name is Mara, sir.”
His gaze softened slightly.
“Mara. Your daughter may have saved my son's life.”
He glanced toward Ethan.
“If there's anything she needs, she'll have it.”
I wanted to thank him.
Instead, Lily tugged my sleeve.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, baby?”
“The man wasn't alone.”
The room seemed to tilt.
Dominic turned back.
“What did you say?”
Lily looked toward the staircase.
“There was a lady, too.”
Dominic's expression changed.
“What lady?”
My daughter hesitated.
May you like
Then pointed toward a woman standing near the ballroom doors.
“The one who told him to hurry.”
