Chapter 2 - The Mansion on Lockdown
By 2:00 a.m., the Bolaro mansion was under total quarantine. Heavy black SUVs blocked the iron gates at the perimeter, and men in dark tactical gear patrolled the long, marble corridors. Sophia had been moved to a completely sanitized guest suite on the third floor under the guard of Nico’s most loyal lieutenant, Marco, while a trusted, off-site toxicologist examined her skin and administered a neutralizing wash.
In the grand library, the air was thick with tension.
Hannah sat on the edge of a mahogany chair, clutching a warm cup of tea that she hadn't touched. Across the room stood Evelyn, fidgeting nervously with her heavy gold ring, while Dr. Vance sat stiffly on the sofa, flanked by two armed guards.
Nico stood by the tall glass windows, watching the rain beat against the glass. He slammed his glass of scotch onto the desk, the heavy thud making everyone jump.
"The test results came back," Nico said, turning around slowly. "The chemical on that patch was a concentrated nerve irritant. Exposure over forty-eight hours would have caused severe systemic inflammation, high fever, and eventually respiratory failure. To a medical examiner, it would have looked like an acute allergic reaction or a sudden bacterial infection."
He walked toward Dr. Vance, his footsteps slow and deliberate. "An acute reaction... exactly like the diagnosis you were so eager to give me ninety seconds after walking into the room, Vance."
"Nico, please!" Vance stammered, sweat breaking out across his forehead. "I made a mistake! A careless visual diagnosis! I’ve served your family for fifteen years—"
"Fifteen years," Nico repeated coldly. "And how much did my brother pay you to make that mistake tonight?"
The room fell dead silent.
Hannah kept her breath quiet, listening intently. She knew about the tension between Nico Bolaro and his younger half-brother, Julian Bolaro. Julian managed the family's shipping business in the harbor, but rumor among the servants was that Julian had always resented Nico taking control of the family empire after their father died.
Dr. Vance closed his eyes, his shoulders sagging in defeat. He didn't deny it. "He... he said it was just a localized skin irritant. He swore to me it wouldn't kill her! He just wanted you distracted, Nico! He wanted you focused on a family crisis so you would miss the board vote on the harbor expansion tomorrow morning!"
Nico’s face remained utterly emotionless, which made him infinitely terrifying. He waved his hand slightly to the guards. "Take him downstairs. He stays in the cellar until I decide what to do with him."
Vance began to sob as the guards dragged him out of the room, his shoes dragging uselessly against the Persian rug.
Nico then turned his attention to Evelyn Vale. The housekeeper stood tall, trying to maintain her dignity, but her hands were trembling violently.
"Evelyn," Nico said quietly. "You oversaw the nursery staff. You insisted the maid was to blame before you even examined the blanket."
"Because she’s new!" Evelyn burst out, pointing an accusing finger at Hannah. "She’s been here three weeks! We know nothing about her background! How do we know she didn't plant that patch herself just to play the hero and gain your trust?"
Nico looked at Hannah. "Well, Hannah? What do you have to say to that?"
Hannah stood up, keeping her posture straight. She was just a maid in a borrowed uniform, but she refused to be cower. "If I wanted to poison the child, I wouldn't have brought the patch to your attention, Mr. Bolaro. And as for my background, Evelyn knows very well that I was vetted by the agency she hired. But what Evelyn didn't mention is that she personally signed off on the laundry delivery from the harbor warehouse yesterday afternoon—a delivery that didn't go through the usual security scanning room."
Evelyn gasped. "That was just routine linen!"
"Routine linen delivered by Julian Bolaro’s personal transport company," Hannah countered calmly. "I saw the manifest on your desk when I picked up the master keys yesterday morning."
Nico’s eyes flared. He walked over to Evelyn, stopping just inches from her face. "You took money from Julian."
"No! Nico, I swear—"
"Pack your bags," Nico said, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "If you are on my property in twenty minutes, I won't call the police. I will handle you myself."
Evelyn didn't wait for a second warning. She turned on her heel and practically ran out of the library, the sound of her heels echoing down the long hallway.
Hannah let out a long breath, suddenly feeling the weight of total exhaustion crashing over her. The room was empty now, save for her and the most dangerous man in the city.
"You have sharp eyes, Hannah Reed," Nico said, walking toward her.
"I just pay attention to my work, sir," Hannah replied modestly.
"No," Nico said, stopping in front of her. "Most people look, but they don't see. You saved my daughter’s life tonight. A simple 'thank you' feels entirely inadequate."
"She’s a sweet girl, Mr. Bolaro. I’m just glad she’s safe."
Nico stared at her for a long moment, his intense dark gaze softening just a fraction. "As of tonight, you are no longer in the laundry wing. I am appointing you as Sophia’s personal nanny and head of nursery security. You will oversee everything that enters her room."
Hannah blinked in surprise. "Mr. Bolaro, I’m just a laundry maid—"
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"You are the only person in this house I currently trust," Nico interrupted firmly. "The pay will be quadrupled. You will move into the quarters adjacent to Sophia’s room tonight."
Before Hannah could respond, a sudden loud crash shattered the silence outside, followed by the blaring scream of the estate's perimeter alarms.
