Chapter 4 - Someone Inside the House Wanted Isabella Gone
“Stay here.”
Lorenzo headed for the door.
Sophie grabbed Isabella.
“What’s happening?”
A guard appeared.
“West gate breach.”
“Marco?” Lorenzo asked.
“Unknown.”
Lorenzo turned toward Sophie.
“Lock the door.”
“You’re leaving?”
“I need to know who entered my property.”
“Your mother needs you.”
“My men will protect her.”
Sophie stared at him.
“That’s exactly what you thought at the gala.”
He stopped.
The words landed hard.
Lorenzo looked at Isabella.
Then at his guard.
“Handle it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Lorenzo remained.
Sophie said nothing.
He noticed.
“You don’t have to look pleased.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“Maybe a little.”
Twenty minutes later, security discovered the breach was a distraction.
Nobody had entered.
Someone had left.
The private nurse.
She disappeared before Lorenzo could question her.
That evening, Lorenzo’s attorney arrived.
Daniel Mercer spread documents across the dining table.
“Your father created a controlling trust before he died.”
Lorenzo frowned.
“I know.”
“Isabella holds the deciding shares until she dies or voluntarily transfers them.”
Sophie looked between them.
“To Lorenzo?”
Daniel shook his head.
“To whoever she names.”
“And Marco wants her signature.”
“Yes.”
Lorenzo leaned back.
“He’s been drugging her to make her appear incompetent.”
Daniel nodded.
“Potentially.”
Sophie asked, “Why?”
“If Isabella is declared legally incompetent, Marco can challenge the trust.”
Lorenzo’s jaw tightened.
“And claim I manipulated her.”
“Exactly.”
Isabella entered unexpectedly.
Everyone stopped talking.
She looked at the papers.
Then at Lorenzo.
“You’re discussing me again.”
“Mama—”
“Like I’m dead.”
Lorenzo stood.
“No.”
“Yes.”
Her voice cracked.
“You whisper when I enter rooms.”
Sophie stepped forward.
“Mrs. Moretti.”
Isabella looked at her.
“Am I stupid?”
“No.”
“Am I crazy?”
“No.”
“Then why does everyone decide things without asking me?”
Lorenzo lowered his eyes.
Sophie looked at him.
“Answer her.”
His voice was quiet.
“Because I’m afraid.”
Isabella stared at her son.
“Of me?”
“Of losing you.”
Silence.
Lorenzo approached her.
“I thought protecting you meant controlling everything around you.”
Isabella touched his face.
“You were always stubborn.”
“So I’ve been told.”
Sophie coughed.
Lorenzo glanced at her.
“Repeatedly.”
Isabella smiled.
Then the smile disappeared.
“Marco is coming tomorrow.”
“How do you know?”
“He called.”
Everyone froze.
“When?”
“This morning.”
“What did he say?”
Isabella looked toward Sophie.
“He said the maid was dangerous.”
Sophie felt cold.
“Me?”
“He said you’re putting ideas in my head.”
Lorenzo stood.
“He mentioned Sophie by name?”
“Yes.”
“Did he threaten her?”
Isabella hesitated.
“Not exactly.”
“What exactly did he say?”
She remembered.
“Accidents happen to poor girls too.”
Lorenzo’s expression became terrifyingly calm.
Sophie noticed immediately.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“You don’t even know what I’m thinking.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
“You’re thinking about solving this the way men like you solve things.”
Daniel quietly collected his papers.
“I should probably—”
“Sit down,” Sophie and Lorenzo said simultaneously.
Daniel sat.
Sophie faced Lorenzo.
“If Marco disappears, everyone will know.”
“I’m aware.”
“And if he’s trying to make you look dangerous and unstable, you’d be proving his argument.”
Lorenzo stared at her.
“So what do you suggest?”
Sophie looked toward Isabella.
“Let him come.”
“No.”
“You said she needs to sign willingly.”
“Yes.”
“Then let him believe she will.”
Lorenzo understood.
“You want to trap him.”
“No.”
Sophie shook her head.
“I want your mother to confront him while she’s clear enough to choose for herself.”
Isabella smiled.
“Finally.”
Lorenzo looked at his mother.
“Mama?”
She straightened.
“My house.”
Her voice became stronger.
“My money.”
Then she looked directly at her son.
“My choice.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“Your choice.”
The next afternoon, Marco Moretti walked through the front door carrying transfer documents.
May you like
And a smile.
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