Chapter 7 - The Poisoned Chalice
The atmosphere inside the cathedral became razor-sharp. Lucian Donati smirked, leaning against the wooden pulpit, resting his hand casually near his jacket pocket.
"A impressive display of unity, Don Matteo," Lucian said smoothly. "But rumors travel fast in Valecroft. Word reached the Council that this woman was admitted to St. Jude’s Clinic on the night Isabella died. Word says her child died... yet here she is, nursing your heir. How convenient."
"Are you questioning the legitimacy of my son, Lucian?" Matteo asked, his hand drifting toward his sidearm.
"I am questioning the truth," Lucian shot back, gesturing to an older man sitting in the front row—a high-ranking Syndicate Judge named Vito. "Under section four of the Syndicate Charter, any Capo whose heir's bloodline is challenged must submit the child to a formal blood examination administered by the Council’s neutral physician."
Liana felt a cold spike of panic in her chest. A blood test would reveal instantly that Nico possessed no Varric DNA.
Matteo’s expression remained unreadable, but Liana caught the faint tightening of his jaw. He knew as well as she did that a blood test meant total exposure.
"The Council’s physician was Dr. Enzo Moretti," Matteo countered coldly. "And Moretti is currently in police custody, having confessed to conspiracy and grand treason against the Varric family."
"Which is why I brought a replacement," Lucian declared triumphantly, clapping his hands twice.
From the side chapel, a woman in a white medical coat stepped out, carrying a silver medical case.
"Dr. Elena Vance," Lucian introduced smoothly. "Formerly of the Geneva Forensic Institute. Completely neutral. She will draw a sample from the child right here, right now. If the boy is a Varric, you retain your seat, Matteo. If he is a commoner’s bastard... you surrender your territory to the Council."
The gathered bosses murmured in agreement. Judge Vito stood up, nodding slowly. "The law is clear, Don Matteo. The blood must speak."
Liana looked at the medical case, then at Dr. Vance, and suddenly noticed a subtle detail: the doctor’s left sleeve was pulled down tightly over her wrist, but a faint, distinct tattoo—a coiled viper, the emblem of the Donati family—was visible near her watch strap.
This wasn't a neutral physician. The medical case was rigged. Whether Nico was a Varric or not, the test result brought by a Donati operative would come back negative.
"Wait," Liana said loudly, her voice cutting through the hall.
Lucian sneered. "Frightened, little maid?"
Liana walked directly toward Dr. Vance, her silk gown rustling against the marble floor. "Dr. Vance... if you are indeed from the Geneva Forensic Institute, you would know that protocol requires a dual-blind sample using cold-chain anti-coagulant tubes, correct?"
Dr. Vance blinked, taken aback by Liana’s technical knowledge. "I... yes, of course."
"Then why," Liana continued, reaching out with lightning speed and grabbing Dr. Vance’s medical kit, flipping it open on the altar table before anyone could stop her, "are your sample vials already pre-filled with potassium oxalate solution?"
Liana held up a small glass vial. The clear liquid inside looked normal, but under the light, a faint yellow precipitate was visible at the bottom.
"Potassium oxalate in high concentrations invalidates DNA sequencing," Liana declared, turning to face Judge Vito and the gathered Council bosses. "This isn't a test kit. It's a sabotage rig designed to fake a negative result!"
Judge Vito’s face darkened instantly. He stepped forward, snatching the vial from Liana’s hand and inspecting it closely.
"Is this true, Dr. Vance?" Vito growled.
Dr. Vance panicked, stepping back toward Lucian. "She's lying! She's just a nurse!"
"A nurse who knows how you try to poison the truth!" Liana snapped.
Matteo didn't wait another second. In one fluid motion, he drew his gun and leveled it at Lucian Donati’s forehead.
"The Donati family has attempted to forge Council evidence," Matteo roared, his voice shaking the cathedral’s stained-glass windows. "Under Section Nine of the Charter, their voting rights are revoked, and their territory is forfeit to the Varric estate!"
Marcus and twenty Varric soldiers instantly drew their weapons, surrounding Lucian and his guards before they could draw theirs.
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Judge Vito looked at the pre-filled vial, then at the trembling Dr. Vance, and finally at Matteo and Liana.
"The evidence of treason is clear," Judge Vito announced solemnly. "Lucian Donati, your family is stripped of its title. Don Matteo... your leadership is absolute. The boy is recognized by this Council as your true heir."
