Chapter 8 - A SHIFT IN THE HOUSEHOLD
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The sun rose over the Chicago skyline, casting long golden beams across the estate’s manicured lawns.
For the first time in nine months, the atmosphere in the Moretti mansion had fundamentally shifted.
The staff members walked with lighter steps, no longer tiptoeing in terror of Vanessa’s vicious outbursts.
At ten in the morning, Antonio called an all-staff meeting in the grand ballroom.
All thirty-five maids, cooks, gardeners, and security guards stood in a neat semi-circle.
I stood in the back row, beside Maria, trying not to draw attention to myself.
Antonio walked in, leaning lightly on his cane, with Luca standing tall at his side.
“Effective immediately,” Antonio announced, his voice echoing with absolute authority.
“Vanessa Bellini has been permanently removed from this household.”
A collective, quiet sigh of relief rippled through the staff.
“Furthermore,” Antonio continued, his eyes scanning the crowd until they locked onto me.
“There will be promotions within this house.”
He raised his hand and gestured forward.
“Emma Hayes, step forward, please.”
My cheeks flushed crimson as every pair of eyes turned toward me.
Maria nudged me gently with a warm, encouraging smile.
I walked to the center of the ballroom, stopping before the two Moretti men.
“Sir?” I asked nervously.
“You are no longer a cleaning maid in this estate, Emma,” Antonio declared with a broad smile.
“From this day forward, you are the Personal Coordinator for the Moretti Family.”
My jaw dropped.
“Mr. Antonio, I don’t have the qualifications for that—”
“You have the only qualification that matters in this world,” Luca interrupted, stepping closer to me.
“Loyalty that cannot be bought.”
“And courage that does not flinch under pressure.”
Luca turned to face the entire assembly.
“Emma will oversee the family’s private schedule, estate events, and personal affairs.”
“Her salary will be quadrupled, and her mother will receive full, lifelong medical coverage under the Moretti foundation.”
A burst of spontaneous applause erupted from the staff.
Maria was actually dabbing away tears with her apron.
I looked up at Luca, my vision swimming with unshed tears.
“Luca... this is too much,” I whispered, overwhelmed.
“It’s not enough,” Luca replied so quietly that only I could hear.
Later that afternoon, I found Luca standing on the stone terrace overlooking the rose gardens.
He had discarded his formal suit entirely, wearing a simple black cashmere sweater and dark trousers.
I walked out onto the stone patio, holding a clipboard with the updated security schedules.
“You look tired,” I said gently.
Luca turned around, a faint, genuine smile gracing his lips.
“I haven't slept in thirty-six hours.”
“Then why are you out here?”
“Thinking,” he said, leaning against the stone balustrade.
“About what?”
Luca looked down at me, his dark eyes intense and mesmerizing.
“About how close I came to ruining my entire life.”
“And about how a girl crawling under a table saved my soul.”
My heart skipped a beat, fluttering erratically against my ribs.
Before either of us could say another word, Daniel sprinted onto the terrace.
“Luca!” Daniel called out, his breathing labored.
“The Chicago Commission has just arrived at the front gates.”
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“Marco Bellini is with them.”
“And he has called for an emergency blood tribunal.”
