Chapter 6: Victoria's Panic

By morning, the photographs were everywhere. Alexander Moretti leaving the Whitmore estate with Scarlett. His hand resting protectively on her shoulder. Scarlett looking pale but unbroken. Headlines spread across every society page in New York.

THE GODFATHER AND THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS.

MORETTI DECLARES WAR ON WHITMORE FAMILY?

SCARLETT WHITMORE RETURNS TO SOCIETY UNDER MAFIA KING'S PROTECTION.

Victoria threw her phone across her bedroom. It struck the wall and fell onto the carpet.

'This is a disaster,' Evelyn snapped from the doorway.

Victoria turned on her mother. 'You said she was finished.'

'She was finished until Alexander Moretti decided to collect her like some tragic little doll.'

Richard sat near the window, pale and sleepless. 'Do not speak carelessly about Moretti.'

Victoria laughed sharply. 'Are you afraid of him?'

'Only fools are not afraid of him.'

Ethan entered a moment later, looking as if he had not slept. Victoria immediately softened her face. 'Darling, tell them this will pass.'

Ethan did not answer quickly enough.

Victoria's eyes narrowed. 'You still feel guilty.'

'We used Scarlett,' Ethan said quietly.

'We made a business decision.'

'With her mother's ring.'

Victoria slapped him before anyone could stop her. The crack echoed through the room.

Richard stood. 'Enough.'

But it was too late. Something had shifted. Ethan was not loyal enough. Richard was not calm enough. Evelyn was not certain enough.

And Scarlett, the girl they had buried alive in pity, had walked out under the protection of the most dangerous man in the city.

Victoria picked up her phone and called a number she had promised never to use.

'It is me,' she said when the line connected. 'We have a problem. Scarlett found Moretti.'

A man's voice answered from the other end.

'Then make sure she does not find out who caused the accident.'