Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT THE MORETTI EMPIRE ALMOST FELL
Dr. Hart had been falsifying Giovanni’s medical records for years.
Elias paid him.
But money wasn't the only reason.
Hart’s daughter had died from an overdose supplied by a dealer protected by a Moretti associate.
He blamed the entire family.
Elias weaponized that grief.
Now Hart had Brody.
And Giovanni’s legal hearing was hours away.
Lorenzo could postpone it.
Giovanni refused.
He had waited five years.
He would not wait another day.
The hearing took place inside the estate by secure video because the roads remained blocked.
Three physicians examined Giovanni.
He answered questions using eye movement and an alphabet board.
What is your name?
GIOVANNI ANTONIO MORETTI.
Do you know the year?
Correct.
Do you understand your financial holdings?
Correct.
Do you recognize your son?
Giovanni looked at Lorenzo.
Then spelled:
STUBBORN. BAD TEMPER. MY SON.
Even the judge laughed.
Lorenzo wiped his eyes.
Giovanni Moretti was declared mentally competent.
Five years of legal silence ended at 11:43 a.m.
At 11:44, he revoked Elias’s authority.
At 11:45, he froze the disputed family trusts.
At 11:46, the power structure of the Moretti empire changed forever.
Then every light in the mansion went out.
Emergency alarms screamed.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Elias had expected the ruling.
His men attacked the estate.
Lorenzo ordered Nora into the underground safe room with Giovanni.
She refused to leave Giovanni alone.
They descended together.
Before the steel door closed, Lorenzo grabbed Nora.
“Whatever happens, don't open this door.”
“Come back.”
He looked at her.
“I will.”
“You promise?”
Lorenzo touched her cheek.
“I have something to come back to now.”
The door sealed.
For twenty-three minutes, Nora heard gunfire above.
Then silence.
A voice came through the intercom.
“Nora.”
Brody.
She froze.
“Nora, open the door.”
Giovanni shook his head violently.
“I know.”
Brody continued.
“Elias has Lorenzo.”
Nora’s heart stopped.
“He says he'll trade him for Giovanni and the original drive.”
Giovanni began spelling.
NO.
Nora knew.
Lorenzo would never want the trade.
But she also knew something else.
Elias believed she was weak.
Pregnant.
Emotional.
Easy to manipulate.
For once, she could use that.
Nora opened the communication line.
“I’ll come out.”
Giovanni struck the armrest.
She knelt beside him.
“Trust me.”
His eyes burned with fear.
“For three months, I protected you when I thought you were helpless.”
She smiled.
“Now let me protect your son.”
Nora stepped outside carrying a flash drive.
Brody waited.
He looked ashamed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Where is Lorenzo?”
“Library.”
“Take me.”
They walked through corridors littered with broken glass.
Inside the library, Elias Moretti stood beside Lorenzo, who was bleeding from his temple.
Elias looked nothing like a monster.
That was the frightening part.
Silver hair.
Expensive suit.
Gentle voice.
“Nora Hale.”
“You destroyed my mother’s life.”
“Your mother was sentimental.”
“She was brave.”
“She was foolish.”
Lorenzo struggled against two armed men.
“Don't give him anything.”
Elias smiled.
“Romantic.”
Nora held up the drive.
“Let him go.”
“First, the drive.”
She threw it across the room.
Elias caught it.
For one second, his attention shifted.
Brody moved.
He attacked the nearest gunman.
Lorenzo slammed backward into the second.
Chaos erupted.
Nora dropped behind a sofa.
A gun fired.
Brody collapsed.
Security stormed the library.
Marcus tackled Elias.
Within seconds, it was over.
Nora crawled toward Brody.
Blood spread across his shirt.
He looked at her.
“Lily?”
“She’s okay.”
He smiled weakly.
“Good.”
“Stay awake.”
“I really did love you.”
Nora’s eyes filled.
“I know.”
It was not forgiveness.
But it was mercy.
Brody survived.
Barely.
Elias was taken into federal custody after the evidence on Margaret’s drive was transferred to investigators.
The Moretti empire did not collapse.
It changed.
Giovanni ordered every illegal revenue stream dismantled.
Lorenzo agreed.
It would cost them hundreds of millions.
Neither cared.
That night, Nora stood beside Lorenzo in the ruined foyer.
“It’s over,” she whispered.
“No.”
He took her hand.
“It’s beginning.”
Then she doubled over.
Lorenzo caught her.
“Nora?”
Her water broke across the marble floor.
She looked down in horror.
“Lorenzo.”
He went pale.
“Is that supposed to happen?”
May you like
“Not for another three months.”
And for the first time in his life, Lorenzo Moretti looked more terrified than every armed man in the estate combined.
