Chapter 7 - The Romano Empire Falls
Victor's arrest triggered chaos.
Within forty-eight hours, federal investigators descended on businesses connected to his network.
Accounts were frozen.
Documents seized.
Executives questioned.
News channels ran the story continuously.
But Luca's name remained protected.
He had never participated in Victor's crimes.
Still, the scandal threatened his legitimate businesses.
Emma watched the news from Sofia's house.
"He's losing everything."
Sofia shook her head.
"No."
Emma looked at her.
"That's what the news says."
"My son is losing things he can replace."
"What can't he replace?"
Sofia smiled.
"His life."
Later that evening, Luca returned.
He looked exhausted.
Emma found him sitting alone in the library.
"How bad?"
"Bad."
"How bad?"
He smiled.
"Three companies frozen. Two partnerships collapsing. Every newspaper calling my family a criminal dynasty."
"Are you?"
"No."
She believed him.
Luca looked at her.
"I can walk away."
"From what?"
"Everything."
Emma sat beside him.
"Would that make you happy?"
"I don't know."
"Then don't decide tonight."
He looked at her.
"Why do you care?"
Emma smiled.
"Because you saved my life."
"You saved mine first."
She laughed softly.
"Your battery doesn't count."
"It does to me."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Luca reached for her hand.
He stopped before touching it.
Emma noticed.
She closed the distance herself.
Their fingers intertwined.
It was simple.
Quiet.
No dramatic declaration.
Just two people who had survived very different storms.
Then the door opened.
Sofia stood there.
She smiled.
"Finally."
Emma blushed.
"Finally what?"
Sofia laughed.
"Nothing."
But peace didn't last.
The next morning, Luca received an unexpected visitor.
A federal prosecutor.
She placed a file on the table.
"We found another account."
Luca frowned.
"Victor's?"
"No."
She slid a photograph across the table.
Emma's blood ran cold.
The account belonged to her father.
"What?"
The prosecutor spoke carefully.
"Daniel Carter transferred a significant amount of money shortly before his death."
"To whom?"
The prosecutor looked at Emma.
"To you."
Emma stared.
"That's impossible."
The amount was enormous.
Several million dollars.
Emma shook her head.
"My father didn't have that kind of money."
"He didn't."
"Then where did it come from?"
Nobody knew.
Luca studied the documents.
"This changes everything."
That night, Emma confronted her mother.
"Did Dad have money?"
Margaret cried.
"Yes."
"How much?"
"I don't know."
"Mom."
Margaret looked at her.
"Your father wasn't hiding money from us."
"Then what was he doing?"
"He was building an escape."
"From Victor?"
"From everyone."
Emma stared.
"Where did the money go?"
Margaret whispered:
"Your father created a trust."
"For me?"
"Yes."
Luca's eyes narrowed.
"Where?"
Margaret shook her head.
"He never told me."
Then Emma remembered something.
The old mechanic shop.
Her father's shop had been abandoned after his death.
May you like
She looked at Luca.
"We're going there."
