Chapter 7 - The Web of Deceit Inside the Moretti Estate
By 6:00 AM, I was back inside the master bedroom of the Buckhead mansion, lying beside Elena as the first rays of dawn crept through the sheer curtains.
She was still fast asleep, looking deceptively angelic with her golden hair spread across the silk pillows. It was hard to fathom that behind that serene, beautiful face lived a monster capable of slowly blinding an innocent seven-year-old child for corporate wealth.
I slipped out of bed, dressed in my standard charcoal bespoke three-piece suit, and headed downstairs.
In the private kitchen, I intercepted the private chef before Elena could wake.
“Chef Martin,” I spoke quietly.
The middle-aged chef turned around, startled. “Mr. Moretti! Good morning, sir. You’re up early.”
“From this second onward,” I said, sliding a thick stack of hundred-dollar bills onto the marble countertop, “you will not prepare a single morsel of food or pour a single glass of liquid for Lila. Every meal Lila eats will be brought in privately by Marco from a secure location. If my wife attempts to cook or prepare anything for Lila, you will smile, say nothing, and immediately text this encrypted number.”
Chef Martin looked at the money, then at my deadly serious eyes, and swallowed hard. “Is... is Miss Lila in danger, sir?”
“Just do your job, Martin, and your family stays safe and wealthy.”
“Yes, Mr. Moretti. Absolutely.”
An hour later, Elena floated down the staircase, wearing an elegant cream-colored cashmere sweater. “Good morning, darling,” she purred, kissing my cheek. “How did Lila sleep?”
“Wonderfully,” I said, sipping my black coffee. “Her vision seemed slightly clearer this morning. She said she could see shapes.”
Elena’s hand froze mid-air as she reached for the silver coffee pot. A tiny, almost imperceptible twitch pulled at the corner of her left eye.
“Really?” she said, her voice rising half an octave. “That’s... that’s wonderful news, Vincent! But Dr. Sterling warned that sudden fluctuations in optic pressure can cause false clarity before total retinal collapse. We shouldn't get our hopes up.”
“I’m meeting my offshore attorneys this afternoon in Savannah,” I continued casually, ignoring her comment. “We are restructuring the family trust. Given Lila’s unpredictable condition, I’ve decided to sign the executive transfer documents today. If anything happens to me, you will have immediate, uncontested power of attorney over all eighty million dollars.”
Elena’s eyes lit up with a triumphant, predatory gleam that she couldn't completely suppress.
“Oh, Vincent... you don't have to do that,” she sighed theatrically, resting her hand over her heart. “I only care about you and Lila. But if it gives you peace of mind, of course I’ll sign whatever is necessary to protect our family.”
“I knew I could count on you, Elena,” I said, offering a faint, chilling smile. “I’ll be taking a private helicopter to Savannah at 2:00 PM. I’ll be back by midnight.”
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“Have a safe flight, my love,” she whispered, leaning in to kiss my lips.
As her lips touched mine, all I tasted was venom.
