Chapter 5 - The Maid Who Heard the Wrong Conversation
Marco Moretti looked nothing like Lorenzo.
He was older, silver-haired, charming.
He kissed Isabella’s cheek.
“Sister.”
She stiffened.
“Marco.”
His gaze moved to Sophie.
“So this is the famous maid.”
“Sophie Clark.”
“Of course.”
Lorenzo appeared from the hallway.
“Uncle.”
Marco smiled.
“Enzo.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“You loved it as a boy.”
“I’m not a boy.”
“No.”
Marco looked around.
“You’ve become something much more dangerous.”
Sophie noticed Lorenzo’s jaw tighten.
Marco noticed too.
That was the point.
He wanted Lorenzo angry.
Isabella sat.
“Show me the papers.”
Lorenzo turned.
“Mama—”
She lifted one finger.
He stopped.
Marco smiled.
“Still obeying your mother. Admirable.”
He placed the documents down.
“This simply reorganizes the trust.”
Sophie stood behind Isabella.
Marco looked at her.
“Staff should leave.”
“She stays,” Isabella said.
“Sister—”
“She stays.”
Marco’s smile weakened.
Isabella read the first page.
Then the second.
Her hands trembled.
Sophie whispered, “Take your time.”
Marco leaned forward.
“You’re tired. Just sign.”
Isabella stopped.
Those words triggered something.
“Just sign.”
Marco froze.
Isabella looked at him.
“You said that before.”
“I’m sure I did.”
“In my bedroom.”
Lorenzo became still.
“You told the nurse to give me something.”
Marco’s smile disappeared.
“Isabella, you’re confused.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
She slammed her hand on the table.
“I remember.”
Marco stood.
“This is absurd.”
Sophie moved between him and Isabella.
His eyes hardened.
“You.”
“Me.”
“You’ve filled her head with nonsense.”
“I barely knew who you were two days ago.”
“You’re manipulating a vulnerable woman.”
Sophie almost laughed.
“That’s an interesting accusation.”
Marco stepped closer.
“You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
“Actually, everyone keeps telling me.”
Lorenzo moved beside Sophie.
Marco looked at his nephew.
“There. Exactly what I expected.”
“What?”
“A pretty woman tells you a story and suddenly family means nothing.”
Sophie turned toward Lorenzo.
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
Marco smiled.
“Good girl. Keep him controlled.”
Sophie suddenly understood.
Marco wanted an explosion.
A threat.
Anything he could use.
She looked at Lorenzo.
“He’s baiting you.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t give him what he wants.”
Marco scoffed.
“You think you understand this family?”
“No.”
Sophie looked at Isabella.
“But I understand frightened people.”
She turned back to Marco.
“And you’re terrified.”
His face changed.
“Of what?”
“Her remembering.”
Silence.
Isabella stood.
“I remember the nurse.”
Marco’s eyes shifted.
“I remember you telling her to increase something.”
“Isabella—”
“And I remember refusing to sign.”
Lorenzo stepped forward.
Marco immediately raised his voice.
“Threatening me now?”
“No.”
Lorenzo’s voice remained calm.
“I’m listening to my mother.”
That was when Marco realized he had lost control of the room.
He grabbed the documents.
Isabella placed her hand over them.
“No.”
“Let go.”
“No.”
“Isabella.”
“My papers.”
“You don’t understand them.”
Her eyes hardened.
“I understand you.”
Marco pulled.
The folder tore.
Several pages scattered across the floor.
One landed near Sophie.
She looked down.
Then frowned.
“What is this?”
Marco lunged for it.
Lorenzo stepped between them.
Sophie picked it up.
It wasn’t a trust document.
It was a medical authorization.
Signed by Dr. Russo.
Authorizing medication changes requested by Marco Moretti.
Daniel took the paper.
His face changed.
“This is evidence.”
Marco backed away.
Lorenzo said quietly, “You brought proof into my house.”
Marco stared at Sophie.
“You ruined everything.”
“No,” Sophie said.
She handed the document to Daniel.
“You did.”
Marco left under the watch of Lorenzo’s security team.
No threats.
No violence.
The evidence went to attorneys and investigators instead.
Afterward, Sophie found Lorenzo alone in the kitchen.
“You didn’t hurt him.”
He poured coffee.
“You sound surprised.”
“I am.”
He handed her a cup.
“I wanted to.”
“I know.”
“I wanted to very badly.”
“I know.”
“But you were right.”
Sophie smiled.
“Careful. You’re developing a habit.”
He leaned against the counter.
“You walked into my life four days ago.”
“You offered me the job.”
“I’m beginning to question that decision.”
“No, you’re not.”
“No.”
His expression softened.
“I’m not.”
Then his phone rang.
Lorenzo answered.
His face changed.
“What?”
Sophie straightened.
“What happened?”
He listened.
Then looked directly at her.
“Toby.”
Her coffee cup hit the counter.
“What about Toby?”
May you like
“He never arrived home from school.”
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