Chapter 9 - Standing Before the World|
On Wednesday morning, an unexpected summons arrived from the administrative office of St. Michael’s Academy.
The principal requested an immediate formal meeting regarding the physical altercation Samuel had been involved in the previous month.
Luca arrived at the school precisely at ten o'clock, dressed in a sharp, bespoke charcoal suit that commanded absolute reverence.
I accompanied them carrying Samuel’s academic records, while Samuel walked between us, holding his brother’s hand tightly.
Inside the principal’s wood-paneled office sat Principal Vance and Richard Harrington, a wealthy hedge-fund manager whose son Samuel had punched.
Harrington wore an expensive three-piece suit and sneered the moment we entered the room.
“Mr. Moretti,” Harrington barked aggressively before Luca could even take a seat.
“Your delinquent brother broke my son Julian’s nose on the playground four weeks ago!”
“I have been demanding Samuel’s immediate expulsion, but the previous administration dragged its feet!”
Luca sat down slowly in the leather armchair, placing his hands flat on the mahogany desk with chilling serenity.
“Principal Vance,” Luca said, completely ignoring Harrington’s theatrical shouting.
“Please state the documented findings of the school’s internal investigation.”
Principal Vance swallowed hard, visibly intimidated by the quiet authority radiating from Luca.
“Well… Mr. Moretti,” Vance stammered, adjusting his glasses nervously.
“The disciplinary logs show that Julian Harrington repeatedly harassed Samuel regarding his father’s passing.”
“On the day in question, Julian took Frank Moretti’s funeral memorial card from Samuel’s locker and tore it to shreds.”
Harrington scoffed loudly, waving his hand dismissively in the air.
“Boys will be boys! A piece of paper does not justify an unprovoked physical assault!”
Luca slowly turned his head to look Harrington directly in the eyes.
The sheer coldness in Luca’s stare caused the hedge-fund manager’s arrogant smirk to wither instantly.
“My father served this country, built businesses in this city, and raised his sons with honor,” Luca said, each syllable ringing like steel.
“Your son desecrated the memory of a dead man to torture a grieving fourteen-year-old child.”
“Samuel was wrong to use his fists, and he has already served his suspension for that mistake.”
“However,” Luca leaned forward, his voice dropping into a deadly, quiet register, “if your son ever speaks my father’s name again, or ever approaches my brother, I will buy your hedge fund by five o’clock this afternoon and liquidate every asset you own.”
Harrington’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, his face turning an embarrassing shade of crimson.
“Are we understood, Mr. Harrington?” Luca asked softly.
Harrington swallowed hard, grabbed his leather briefcase, and practically sprinted out of the principal’s office without uttering another word.
Principal Vance cleared his throat, wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
“Samuel’s record is completely expunged, Mr. Moretti,” Vance squeaked nervously.
Luca stood up, smoothed his tailored jacket, and placed a hand on Samuel’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Principal Vance,” Luca said with perfect etiquette.
“Have a wonderful school day.”
As we walked down the polished hallway, Samuel looked up at his older brother with pure, unadulterated awe.
“Did you really mean that about buying his company?” Samuel whispered excitedly.
May you like
Luca winked down at him with a quiet grin.
“Never test an older brother, Sammy.”
