Chapter 2 - The Silver Box Holds Crushed Leaves
One of Luca’s security men brought Vanessa’s purse to the table.
Luca did not touch it.
“Open it.”
Vanessa stood.
“No.”
That single word changed the room.
Luca’s attorney, Dominic Russo, stepped forward.
“It’s her property.”
Luca looked at Vanessa.
“Then she can open it herself.”
For a moment, Emma thought Vanessa might run.
Instead, Vanessa reached into the purse and removed a small silver box.
Her fingers shook.
She opened it.
Inside were dried green leaves and a tiny measuring spoon.
Several guests whispered.
Vanessa immediately said they were herbal supplements.
“For anxiety.”
Emma recognized the smell.
Not the plant.
The scent.
It matched the plate.
Luca ordered the dinner removed and preserved.
He did not eat.
Nobody else did either.
A physician among the guests advised calling emergency services and
poison control rather than guessing what the leaves were.
That mattered.
No one knew whether the substance was dangerous.
Vanessa insisted the leaves were harmless.
She said she had sprinkled some on her own food for weeks.
Then Luca asked:
“Why was it on my plate?”
Vanessa’s face tightened.
“I told you. I mixed them up.”
Emma spoke quietly.
“No, ma’am.”
Vanessa turned.
Emma described exactly what she saw.
Vanessa checked the room.
Moved Luca’s sea bass toward herself.
Moved her mushroom dish toward Luca.
Then opened the silver box beneath the table.
Emma had assumed she was seasoning her own meal.
Only later did she realize the plate had been switched first.
Vanessa pointed at her.
“She’s lying.”
Luca’s expression remained unreadable.
“Maybe.”
Emma’s stomach dropped.
Then he added:
May you like
“That’s why nobody leaves until the police arrive.”
For the first time, Vanessa looked truly afraid.
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