Mafia's Surrogate Bride Chapter 15

Aria's POV

I knew I had no right to interfere. In a place like this, surrounded by people whose power could destroy me with a single word, a servant had no business speaking unless spoken to. But the image of Adriana carefully adding drops from that vial into the champagne glass burned in my mind.

What if it was poison? What if she was planning to drug him, or worse? I'd seen what happened to people who crossed these families—carried out bleeding and broken, if they were lucky enough to be carried out at all.

I couldn't just stand there and watch, knowing what I knew.

All three of them turned to stare at me. Antonio's expression was gentle but questioning, Adriana's face twisted with fury, and Damian... Damian looked at me with those dark eyes that seemed to see straight through to my soul.

"What's wrong, dear?" Antonio asked kindly. "You look quite distressed."

I could feel Adriana's murderous glare boring into me. How could I possibly accuse the granddaughter of one of Italy's most powerful crime families of attempted poisoning? Who would believe a nobody like me over someone like her?

Antonio's perceptive eyes moved between Damian and me, noting something in the tension that passed between us. His voice remained gentle but carried a hint of curiosity.

"Tell me, child, what happened here? And... do you know this gentleman? Mr. Damian Cavalieri?"

"No," I said quickly, perhaps too quickly. "No, sir. I don't know him at all. We've never met."

Behind me, I heard Damian make a soft sound—a quiet chuckle that seemed to rumble from deep in his chest.

Of course he would find my denial amusing. He knew exactly how well we'd "met" that night three weeks ago.

If I told the truth, would Damian believe me? Or would he side with the woman his family expected him to marry, the one who belonged in his world while I was just temporary help?

My mouth felt dry as dust. "The... the champagne, sir. There's something wrong with it. Something dirty in the glass. Let me get you a fresh one."

Before anyone could stop me, I lunged forward and grabbed the crystal flute from Damian's hand. The expensive champagne splashed across the marble floor in a golden puddle, taking with it whatever poison Adriana had added.

"You clumsy little **bitch**!" Adriana shrieked. "Do you have any idea what you've just done? That was a priceless vintage from my grandfather's private collection!"

Her voice rose to a pitch that echoed off the marble walls, drawing curious glances from other guests in the vicinity. "You ignorant little peasant! You're not fit to serve in the same room as civilized people!"

Her hand flew up, aiming for my face with vicious intent."Stop." Damian's voice cut through the air like a blade.

Adriana's hand froze mid-swing. The single word from him carried more authority than any scream or threat. She slowly lowered her arm, but her eyes promised retribution later.

"Now, now," Antonio said smoothly, stepping between us. "There's no need for violence over spilled wine. These things happen."

"She deliberately destroyed a priceless vintage!" Adriana protested, though she kept her voice carefully modulated now that Damian had intervened. "And she interrupted a private conversation—this nobody thinks she can just barge in and destroy things that cost more than her entire pathetic existence!"

Her eyes glittered with malice as she continued, each word chosen to cut deep. "Look at her, Nonno. Look at this little orphan trying to play games with people so far above her station. She doesn't even understand the value of what she just destroyed."

She took a step closer to me, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper that only I could hear. "You think you're clever, don't you? Interfering in matters that don't concern you. But you have no idea who you're dealing with."

"She was doing her job," Antonio replied calmly. "If she noticed something amiss with the glass, she was right to speak up. Better safe than sorry, wouldn't you agree?"

The old man's diplomatic skills were impressive. He'd managed to defuse the situation without taking sides, protecting both his granddaughter's reputation and my safety.

Adriana's jaw clenched, but she forced a smile. "Of course, Nonno. You're absolutely right. I was just... startled by the sudden interruption."

She moved to a nearby serving table and returned with four fresh champagne flutes, each filled with golden liquid that sparkled innocently in the light.

"Perhaps we can start over," she said, offering glasses to each of us. "A proper toast this time, with no accidents."

As she handed me my glass, her fingers brushed against mine deliberately, and she leaned in close enough that her breath tickled my ear.

"You should have minded your own business," she whispered, her voice sweet as honey but deadly as poison. "Now you'll learn what happens to little girls who forget their place."

I stared at the crystal flute she extended toward me. Servants didn't typically join family toasts, but refusing now would only create more suspicion.

"To old friendships and new beginnings," Antonio said, raising his glass.

"To family loyalty," Adriana added, her eyes fixed on mine with unmistakable warning.

"To truth," Damian said quietly, though I wasn't sure if the others caught the subtle emphasis in his voice.

I raised my glass with a trembling hand, acutely aware that everyone was watching me. "To... to staying safe."

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Antonio chuckled softly, as if my sentiment was charmingly naive. Adriana's smile turned sharp as a knife.

"Indeed," she said. "One can never be too careful about what one puts in one's mouth."

We all brought the glasses to our lips simultaneously. The champagne was undoubtedly expensive—smooth and complex, with none of the harsh bite of the cheap wine I was used to. For a moment, I wondered if I'd been paranoid, if I'd imagined what I'd seen in the kitchen.

Then the liquid hit my throat.

Something was wrong. The champagne tasted normal, but there was an aftertaste—bitter, medicinal, barely detectable under the wine's natural flavors. My tongue felt slightly numb, and a strange warmth began spreading through my chest.

I glanced at the others. Antonio seemed fine, chatting pleasantly with Damian about some business matter. Damian showed no signs of distress, though his expression remained carefully neutral.

My vision started to blur slightly around the edges. The warm feeling in my chest was spreading, making my limbs feel heavy and uncoordinated. Whatever she'd given me, it was working fast.

"Excuse me," I managed to say, my voice sounding thick and strange to my own ears. "I should return to my duties."

"Of course, dear," Antonio said kindly. "Thank you for your diligence with the refreshments."

I bobbed a quick curtsy, not trusting myself to speak again. Each step away from them felt like walking through water, and I had to concentrate hard to keep my balance.

Behind me, I heard Adriana's musical laugh. "She seems quite overwhelmed by the situation. Perhaps the excitement of serving such distinguished guests was too much for her."

"Perhaps," Damian replied, but his tone was thoughtful rather than dismissive.