Chapter 10 - The Reckoning for Vanessa
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The grandfather clock in the main foyer of the Moretti estate chimed seven times as morning sunlight flooded the grand hall.
Vanessa Moretti was brought up from the basement holding cells, her wrists still bound tightly in zip-ties.
She looked haggard, her glamorous facade completely stripped away after a sleepless night of panic.
Sitting on the velvet sofa in the grand sitting room were Frank Moretti, Dr. Rossi, and two high-powered estate attorneys.
I stood beside Frank’s chair, holding a silver tray with his freshly brewed morning espresso.
Frank took the porcelain cup with remarkably steady hands and took a calm, dignified sip.
When Vanessa saw Frank looking healthy, rested, and completely in command, she let out a strangled gasp.
“You...” she choked out, staring at the old man she had tried to destroy.
The double mahogany doors swung open, and Luca walked in, his presence commanding absolute obedience.
He was flanked by Marco and two uniformed officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.
Vanessa immediately threw herself toward Luca, sobbing dramatically in one final, pathetic act.
“Luca! Julian forced me to do it, I swear on my mother’s grave!” she cried, falling to her knees before him.
“The police are here to protect us from him, right? Tell them to take these cuffs off me!” she pleaded.
Luca did not move an inch, looking down at her with dead, unfeeling eyes.
“Julian Romano is currently in a federal holding cell facing three life sentences without parole,” Luca announced coldly.
Vanessa froze, her fabricated tears stopping instantly as the cold reality hit her.
Mr. Sterling, the Moretti family’s chief legal counsel, stepped forward and opened a thick leather document folder.
“Mrs. Moretti, this is the prenuptial agreement you signed three months ago,” Mr. Sterling began clearly.
“Clause fourteen explicitly states that any act of domestic felony, attempted murder, or elder abuse immediately dissolves the marriage,” he read.
“Furthermore, you forfeit every single dollar, property right, piece of jewelry, and vehicle acquired during the union,” the attorney added.
Vanessa’s jaw trembled with rage as her voice rose to a hysterical shriek.
“You can't leave me with nothing! I was his wife! I deserve half of this empire!” she screamed.
Frank set his coffee cup down on the silver saucer with a soft, decisive clink.
“You deserve nothing but the cold floor of a prison cell, young lady,” Frank said with quiet, unbreakable authority.
The sheriff stepped forward, reading the criminal warrant for all in the room to hear.
“Vanessa Moretti, you are under arrest for attempted murder, elder abuse, chemical poisoning, and corporate fraud,” the sheriff declared.
Metal handcuffs clicked around her manicured wrists, replacing the temporary plastic ties.
Vanessa kicked and screamed like a wild animal as the deputies dragged her toward the waiting squad car outside.
“Claire!” Vanessa shrieked as she was pulled past me, her eyes burning with pure malice.
“You were just a maid! You’re nothing! Nothing!” she yelled until the heavy front doors slammed shut.
Silence fell over the magnificent mansion, pure and clean for the first time in months.
Frank let out a deep breath, looking around the peaceful room as a heavy weight lifted from his soul.
Luca walked over to his father, kneeling before his chair and burying his face into his father’s lap.
“I am so sorry, Dad,” Luca wept openly, all his mafia toughness crumbling into the tears of a devoted son.
“I almost lost you because of my own blind stupidity,” Luca cried.
Frank gently stroked his son’s dark hair with loving, steady hands.
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“You didn't lose me, Luca,” Frank whispered tenderly.
“Our family was saved by truth, loyalty, and the bravest woman in Chicago.”
