Chapter 6 - THE PRICE OF SPEAKING THE TRUTH|
By noon the following day, rumors about Sofia had spread through Manhattan’s charity circuit.
A social media account posted a blurry photograph of her standing beside Eleanor at the gala. The caption called her an opportunistic employee who had staged a scene to attract the attention of Dante Ferrara.
Another post claimed Sofia had stolen jewelry from the club.
A third suggested she was trying to become the mafia boss’s mistress.
None of the posts included evidence. They did not need to. In the circles that mattered, repetition could be more powerful than truth.
Sofia discovered the rumors when a former coworker sent her a screenshot.
She felt humiliated, then furious, then ashamed of being furious. She had spent years learning to ignore insults, but this was different. The rumors could follow her to another job. They could affect Mateo’s care if anyone decided she was untrustworthy.
She called Dante.
“Your world is making my life impossible.”
“I’ve seen the posts.”
“Then you know what people are saying.”
“I do.”
“Are you going to fix it?”
“I can have my attorneys issue statements. I can identify the accounts. I can make certain people regret publishing false claims.”
Sofia closed her eyes.
“That last part is exactly what frightens me.”
Dante went silent.
“I’m not asking you to punish anyone,” she continued. “I’m asking you to tell the truth. If you want me to help your mother, I need to be able to leave this arrangement without becoming a target.”
“You should never have become one.”
“But I did.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Dante said, “I’ll have a lawyer document your employment terms and your right to leave. I’ll also make a public statement confirming that you acted to protect my mother and that the theft allegations are false.”
“Will you mention the threats?”
“Only if you want me to.”
Sofia had expected resistance. His willingness to let her decide unsettled her more than an argument might have.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Don’t thank me for doing what I should have done sooner.”
That afternoon, Dante held a short press conference outside one of his legitimate business offices. He did not threaten the bloggers or accuse anyone of conspiracy. He simply stated that Sofia had behaved honorably, that the claims against her were unsupported, and that Eleanor had been treated with unacceptable cruelty at a charitable event.
He refused to name Vivienne.
That refusal irritated the socialites who wanted a spectacle.
It also denied them the easy drama they had expected.
Vivienne, however, was not finished.
She invited Sofia to a private luncheon at the Sterling Foundation headquarters, claiming she wanted to apologize.
Sofia almost declined.
Then she realized that a refusal would allow Vivienne to tell people she was afraid to face her accuser.
She informed Lena and arranged to meet in the foundation’s public dining room, with her phone recording the conversation.
Vivienne arrived in a cream suit and a perfect smile.
“You’ve caused quite a commotion.”
“You sent me an invitation.”
“I thought we might clear up a misunderstanding.”
“There was no misunderstanding. You poured wine on an elderly woman and laughed at her.”
Vivienne’s smile faded.
“Be careful, Sofia. You don’t understand the relationships involved.”
“Then explain them.”
Vivienne leaned closer.
“Dante Ferrara is not a good man. He will use you until you become inconvenient. You should be grateful someone is warning you.”
“I didn’t ask for his attention.”
“No, you merely walked into the room and played the hero.”
Sofia pushed back her chair.
“If you wanted to apologize, you’ve had your chance.”
She stood.
Vivienne’s voice dropped.
“Your brother receives treatment at St. Benedict’s, doesn’t he?”
Sofia froze.
Vivienne noticed.
“Oh, don’t look so surprised. Manhattan is a small town when you know the right people.”
Sofia’s fear turned cold.
“Stay away from my brother.”
“Then stay away from my family.”
Sofia walked out without another word.
Outside, Lena was waiting beside the entrance.
“You got it?”
Sofia nodded and showed her the recording.
But when Lena listened to the last few seconds, her expression changed.
“Your brother’s hospital account is private,” she said. “Vivienne shouldn’t have had access to that information.”
Sofia looked toward the building.
For the first time, she understood that the wine incident had not simply been an act of cruelty.
May you like
Someone had been watching her.
And someone had decided that her brother was the easiest way to make her afraid.
