Then he will tell the court you are unstable and that I am being coerced by a criminal organization.”
Luca glanced at Samuel.
The attorney nodded.
“She is correct.”
“Then what do you suggest?” Luca asked me.
It was the first time in nearly a year that he had asked for my judgment instead of issuing an order.
I opened the folder to its final section.
“We attend the board meeting.”
Vanessa laughed weakly.
“You cannot walk into Moretti headquarters.
Carlo will have the building sealed.”
“He already invited me.”
I showed Luca the message sent to my private phone that morning.
COME TO THE BOARDROOM AT FOUR.
SIGN AWAY THE CHILD’S CLAIM, OR THE WORLD LEARNS WHAT LUCA MORETTI REALLY IS.
Luca read it twice.
“Why didn’t you tell Samuel?”
“Because I needed Carlo to believe I was still alone.”
A painful tightness crossed Luca’s face.
“You should never have been alone.”
“I was married to you, Luca.
I learned that being surrounded by your people could be the most dangerous kind of loneliness.”
He accepted the blow without defending himself.
At three forty-five, we entered Moretti headquarters through the main lobby.
I refused Luca’s armored car and arrived with Samuel and two federal financial investigators whose involvement Carlo did not know about.
Luca entered separately with only one trusted guard.
The building’s marble lobby fell silent when employees saw us together.
News had already traveled.
Whispers followed my pregnancy as we crossed toward the private elevators.
Luca stayed half a step behind me.
It was deliberate.
For the first time, he was showing his world that I was not being dragged back under his authority.
I was walking under my own.
The boardroom occupied the top floor, surrounded by glass walls overlooking Manhattan.
Carlo sat at the head of the long black table, wearing the same composed expression he had worn at our wedding.
Eleven board members filled the remaining seats.
Several avoided Luca’s gaze.
Vanessa had arrived ahead of us with her family’s attorney.
She sat beside Carlo, no longer wearing the Moretti diamonds.
Carlo smiled when he saw my stomach.
“Isabella.
You always did know how to make an entrance.”
“You taught me the value of timing.”
His eyes moved to Samuel.
“You should have stayed retired.”
“You should have read Vittorio’s codicil more carefully.”
Carlo’s smile thinned.
He addressed the board.
“We are here because Luca concealed a personal crisis that places every company asset at risk.
This woman disappeared after stealing from us.
She now claims to carry an heir.
Until paternity and her conduct are resolved, Luca must be suspended.”
A board member cleared his throat.
“The emergency motion requests Carlo serve as interim chairman.”
“Naturally,” I said.
