Part 7: The Masterpiece
Ten minutes later, the heavy oak doors of the mansion swung open.
Emiliano Duarte walked into his home. The silence in the grand foyer was absolute. His staff, confused and nervous, were lined up near the staircase. Rosa stood near the back, her hands neatly folded. Daniela and Martina were peeking from the top of the stairs.
And then, Patricia came running.
"Emiliano!" she gasped, throwing her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest. "Thank God you're back! It's terrible... it's a nightmare!"
She pulled away, forcing a single, perfect tear to roll down her cheek. She was an extraordinary actress. If Emiliano hadn't spent the last two hours watching her true face, he would have fallen for it instantly.
"What's wrong, Patricia?" he asked, his voice deadpan.
"It's the jewelry," she sobbed, pointing a trembling finger straight at Rosa. "I went to check my vanity, and my diamond bracelet and sapphire earrings are gone. I... I didn't want to believe it. But I searched the staff lockers. I found them. They were hidden in Rosa's bag!"
Gasps rippled through the staff. Rosa’s eyes widened in shock, but she didn’t scream or cry. She just looked at Emiliano, a quiet devastation settling over her face. She thought he was going to believe the lie.
Patricia clung to Emiliano's arm. "She’s a thief, Emiliano! A manipulative, dirty thief! She’s been poisoning your daughters against me, and now she's stealing from us! Call the police. Get her out of my house!"
May you like
Emiliano looked down at Patricia’s hands clutching his tailored sleeve. He slowly reached over and removed her hands, peeling her fingers back one by one.
"Your house?" Emiliano asked quietly.
