Vincent's eyes snapped wide as the truth dawned on him. "You bribed him, Mother," he accused, his voice low and even.
Vanessa's smile remained serenely in place, her lips curving upward with a calculating elegance. "I prefer to think of it as a strategic investment," she purred, her voice dripping with sophistication. "One that safeguards our family's reputation, no matter the cost."
Vincent felt a wave of disgust wash over him. His mother's ruthlessness was nothing new, but this revelation was a stark reminder of her boundless ambition.
"And what about her?" he demanded, his voice tight with anger. Vanessa's expression froze, her eyes flashing with a glacial hardness that sent a shiver down Vincent's spine.
"Her?" she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "A lowly peasant you met in less than twenty-four hours, Vincent. A one-night stand, Vincent. A momentary lapse of judgment. Nothing more."
