Chapter 10 - The Last Drop
The pain in Lorenzo’s head blossomed like a dark, crushing flower.
He dropped the glass of water, the crystal shattering loudly on the floor of the private jet.
Maria rushed over, her face pale with immediate panic.
"Lorenzo? What's wrong?" she asked, grabbing his shaking hands.
He couldn't hear her perfectly; her voice sounded warped, as if she were speaking underwater.
It was the exact same symptom he had experienced months ago when Serena first began poisoning him.
But Serena was in federal custody, miles away in a maximum-security holding cell.
Lorenzo looked at the spilled water on the carpet, his mind racing desperately.
The water had been sealed in a brand-new bottle from the plane's private stock.
Nobody but his most trusted, newly vetted staff had access to this aircraft.
He touched his ear, pulling his fingers back to see a small drop of blood on his fingertips.
The poison wasn't gone; it was escalating faster than before.
He looked at Maria, who was frantically calling the pilot for emergency medical help.
Leo walked over slowly, looking down at the spilled water with his large, observant eyes.
The child did not make a choking gesture this time.
Instead, Leo reached into his small pocket and pulled out a folded, slightly crumpled piece of paper.
He handed it to Lorenzo with a solemn expression.
Lorenzo’s hands trembled violently as he unfolded the heavy parchment.
It was a flight manifest, detailing the passengers who had used this private jet last week.
Highlighted in thick red ink was a name that made Lorenzo’s blood freeze solid.
It was Don Salvatore Romano, Serena's allegedly dead father.
Lorenzo looked at Maria, who had suddenly stopped calling the pilot and was staring at him with an eerily calm expression.
"You really thought she was smart enough to plan all of this alone?" Maria whispered, her voice no longer trembling.
She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, suppressed pistol.
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"The old man sends his regards, Lorenzo."
The plane plunged into darkness as the cabin lights suddenly flicked off.
