John stood up. ‘You’re fired,’ he shouted.
‘I overrule,’ said Carlotta. ‘I’m sure my sisters will agree with me on this.’
John stood up and adjusted his black suit.
‘You will be hearing from my lawyers,’ he shouted.
‘Whatever,’ shouted Carlotta at his back.
‘That’s mature,’ said Chris, trying not to laugh. ‘You sound like Alexia.’
‘I know, I couldn’t think of anything else to say,’ Carlotta said sheepishly.
Violetta turned to Matthew. ‘What the fuck is this bullshit about Leon being your father?’
‘He is,’ said Matthew. ‘I swear.’ He looked nervous.
Carlotta looked closely at his face. Although it pained her, there was a slight resemblance to Leon. His dark eyes and his lack of chin, but he had his mother’s fairer skin.
‘I want a DNA test,’ she said to Chris and Spencer, who had remained unusually silent throughout the confrontation.
‘Fine, do it. I’ll do whatever you want,’ said Matthew, cocky again.
Carlotta looked at him with disgust and then spoke to Spencer. ‘Can you organise this?’
Spencer nodded. ‘Of course. Give me your details, Matthew, so I can set up a time.’
As Matthew gave Spencer his card, Violetta stood watching. ‘You sold it for nothing, Matthew. Why? Fifteen million is nothing to what it was worth. You’re more of a fool than I thought.’
Matthew sneered at her, feeling brave now Berconi had left. ‘You and your slut sisters are fools,’ he said, as he walked towards the door. ‘You have no idea what you are into here, and if I were you I would leave while you can.’
As he turned to leave he spun around and looked at Carlotta. ‘By the way, your father sends his regards,’ he said, and closed the door just as Carlotta threw a stapler at it.
‘I hate him. I really fucking hate him,’ Carlotta shrieked.
‘I think we should get something of Leon’s to test his DNA also,’ said Spencer.
‘OK, I’ll get something from the apartment. What should I get, do you think?’ she asked him.
‘Well, a toothbrush or a hairbrush should do it, from what I know.’
‘OK, I’ll bring it over.’
Carlotta sat in thought and then stood up quickly. ‘I have to check on Grace,’ she said, as Grace’s weeping face floated before her.
‘Call me with any updates,’ she said as she left, dialling Grace’s number.
*
Grace didn’t answer any of her calls for the next few hours. She called Violetta instead. ‘Hey, I’m just out getting a few supplies.’
‘Where’s Grace?’ asked Carlotta.
‘Sleeping.’
‘I’m coming over,’ said Carlotta, waving for a cab. ‘I don’t feel right about her.’
‘Me neither,’ said Violetta. ‘I was just paying for the groceries when in my mind I saw her crying.’
