Chapter 14 - THE RETURN OF THE HEIR
|
By noon on Christmas Day, the bright winter sun reflected brilliantly off the glittering snow covering the mansion gardens.
Inside the private family salon on the second floor, a magnificent fire crackled peacefully in the stone hearth.
Olivia was dressed in a stunning navy-blue wool dress that belonged to their mother, perfectly tailored to her slender frame.
Her hair had been neatly arranged, and the dark circles beneath her eyes were replaced by the warm glow of peace.
Luca entered the room carrying a large velvet-lined cedar box, followed by the family’s head estate attorney.
Luca walked over to his sister and placed the heavy box gently onto the low tea table before her.
"Open it, Olivia," Luca said with a soft, affectionate smile that completely transformed his intimidating face.
Olivia opened the lid with delicate, trembling fingers.
Inside lay the original Moretti family registry, several legal deeds to commercial properties, and Donna Isabella's diamond jewelry collection.
"When our mother died, Silvio forged documents claiming she left her entire personal estate to his trust," Luca explained.
"This morning, our attorneys officially dissolved those fraudulent trusts."
"Half of every legitimate enterprise, every property, and every investment portfolio in the Moretti name belongs to you."
Olivia shook her head, tears filling her eyes once again, though this time they were tears of pure joy.
"Luca, I don't need millions of dollars," Olivia whispered softly, touching the smooth wood of the box.
"I only ever wanted my brother back."
Luca knelt beside her chair and wrapped his arms around her, holding her with the fierce protection of a loving brother.
"You have your brother, Olivia," Luca murmured against her hair.
"And you will never have to scrape for a single meal or look over your shoulder ever again."
Luca then turned his gaze toward the doorway, where I stood quietly holding a silver tray with warm cider.
"Claire, please come forward," Luca requested politely.
I stepped into the room, setting the tray down upon the mahogany sideboard.
"Yes, Mr. Moretti?" I asked, unsure of what was expected of me.
Luca looked at me with deep, earnest respect in his dark eyes.
"Last night, when thirty men who swore loyalty to me coward beneath tables, you stood firm and saved my life," Luca said.
"You protected my sister, and you had the courage to bring the truth to light when everyone else stayed silent."
Luca turned to his attorney, who handed him a signed legal document.
"You will no longer work as a maid in this house, Claire," Luca announced firmly.
"Starting today, you are the Director of the Moretti Family Estate and the head of our private charitable foundation."
"You will manage this household with an executive salary, complete autonomy, and a permanent home on this property."
My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes widened in utter disbelief.
"Mr. Moretti, I... I don't know what to say," I stammered, feeling tears of overwhelming gratitude warm my cheeks.
"Say that you will help us build a home worthy of our mother's memory," Olivia said, reaching out to take my hand in hers.
"We need people with pure hearts in this house, Claire."
May you like
I looked at the brother and sister who had survived the deepest darkness, and I nodded with profound joy.
"It would be my greatest honor, Miss Moretti."
