Chapter 4 - GRANDPA CAME HOME)
Cesare Lombardi had built his fortune by noticing what other people tried to hide.
A delayed answer.
A hand that moved too quickly.
A person who smiled without relaxing their eyes.
The moment he saw Rosa in the corridor, he knew something was wrong.
She was pale.
Ethan looked irritated.
Vanessa was trying too hard to appear relaxed.
"Rosa?"
Rosa glanced toward Ethan's shoes.
Cesare noticed.
"I'm fine, Mr. Lombardi."
"You don't look fine."
Vanessa slipped her arm through Cesare's.
"She's probably exhausted. Everyone has been running around for two days."
Cesare removed Vanessa's hand gently.
"Where's Elsie?"
Nobody answered immediately.
That was mistake number one.
Cesare looked at Julian.
"Where is my granddaughter?"
Julian cleared his throat.
"Backstage."
"Why?"
"It's crowded."
Cesare's face remained neutral.
"She likes crowds."
Vanessa laughed.
"Not this kind."
Cesare looked at her.
Vanessa stopped laughing.
"She's only three," she said. "We thought she'd be more comfortable somewhere quiet."
"We?"
Julian stepped forward.
"Dad, it's fine."
Cesare stared at him.
"Then bring her to me."
Julian hesitated.
Mistake number two.
Cesare's voice became quieter.
"Now."
Vanessa's smile tightened.
"We're five minutes from donor introductions."
Cesare ignored her.
"Julian."
Julian looked toward the backstage curtain.
Then Ethan spoke.
"I'll get her."
Cesare turned.
"No."
Ethan stopped.
"I asked her father."
A strange silence formed.
Julian finally walked toward backstage.
Vanessa followed.
Cesare watched them go.
Then he looked at Rosa.
"What happened?"
Rosa glanced around.
She lowered her voice.
"Clara left something."
Cesare's eyes sharpened.
"What?"
"An envelope."
"Where?"
Rosa looked toward the decorative panel.
Ethan was still standing beside it.
Cesare understood immediately.
He smiled slightly.
"Ethan."
"Yes?"
"Would you tell the foundation director I need him in the ballroom?"
"Of course."
Ethan walked away reluctantly.
The instant he disappeared around the corner, Rosa moved to the wall panel.
She reached behind it.
Her fingers found nothing.
She tried again.
Her face changed.
"It's gone."
Cesare stared at her.
"I put it here thirty seconds ago."
"Who knew?"
"Ethan."
Cesare looked down the corridor.
"What was written on it?"
"For Cesare only."
His expression changed.
"Clara's handwriting?"
Rosa nodded.
Cesare's composure slipped for the first time.
His daughter-in-law had died believing there was something he needed to know.
And someone had just stolen it.
"What else?"
Rosa told him about the papers.
The box.
The blue documents.
The flower.
Cesare listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he asked one question.
"Where is the flower?"
"Elsie has it."
Cesare turned toward backstage.
At that exact moment, a child's cry carried faintly through the heavy curtains.
He stopped.
Rosa went pale.
"Elsie."
Cesare walked.
He did not run.
But people moved out of his way.
Behind the reception curtain, Elsie had finally found Julian.
She had approached him while Vanessa stood with two wealthy donors and an event photographer.
"Daddy."
Julian stiffened.
One donor smiled.
"Who's this little sweetheart?"
Vanessa answered before Julian could.
"One of the housekeeper's children."
Elsie looked at her.
"No."
Vanessa smiled tightly.
The donor laughed.
"Well, she certainly looks determined."
Elsie reached for Julian's hand.
"I'm Daddy's."
Julian glanced toward the camera.
Then toward Vanessa.
The photographer raised his lens.
Panic took control.
Julian pulled his hand away.
"Go back with the staff."
Elsie stared at him.
Her eyes filled instantly.
"Daddy?"
Vanessa crouched beside her.
"You're making a scene."
Elsie held out the flower.
"It's for Grandpa."
Vanessa saw the blue edge beneath a torn fold.
Her face changed.
She grabbed it.
Elsie held on.
"No."
Vanessa pulled harder.
One petal tore away.
Elsie screamed.
The donors turned.
Julian whispered angrily.
"Vanessa."
But Vanessa was staring at the torn paper in her hand.
Blue ink.
She understood.
She folded the piece into her palm.
Then Cesare stepped through the curtain.
He saw Elsie's face.
He saw the torn flower.
He saw Julian.
He saw Vanessa.
The entire backstage area seemed to become silent around him.
Elsie ran to him.
"Grandpa."
Cesare bent and lifted her into his arms.
"What happened?"
She cried against his suit.
Vanessa spoke quickly.
"She had a little tantrum."
Elsie shook her head.
Cesare touched her cheek.
"Tell me."
Elsie looked at her father.
Then back at her grandfather.
"Grandpa... Daddy said I'm the maid's kid."
Cesare slowly raised his eyes.
Julian looked away.
May you like
Vanessa clutched the torn paper behind her back.
And from across the room, Ethan saw everything beginning to collapse.
