Chapter 4 Arrival

• Diego
• Returning to Moretto Manor felt like stepping back into the center of a storm I had long left behind. A place where I didn't have any fun memories wasn't fun to come back to.
• As the automatic doors slid open, revealing the grand hall and the staff assembled in a tense line, I took in the familiar ambiance with a sense of calculated detachment.
• My father’s kingdom, his empire built on fear and ruthlessness, was now my battlefield.
• "Announcing Signore Moretto," the chief maid's voice echoed from the staircase. I straightened my suit jacket and strode in, followed by two of my most trusted men.
• The servants, heads bowed, barely dared to look up as I walked past. Good. Fear was necessary.
• I scanned the room, noting every face. One caught my attention, new, unfamiliar. A young woman, her eyes sharp despite her attempt to blend in. Interesting. I made a mental note to find out more about her.
• And thinking back now,she is the only servants who was looking at me directly in the eye.
• Hmm…
• You see in the Moretto Manor, my father tried as much to retain his workers because he felt the longer they stayed, the stronger their loyalty.
• Before I left Italy,I already knew a lot about how things work here and I recognized a lot of faces but a few definitely stood out because it was new.
• Papa’ stood at the far end of the hall, his face grim and he was looking older than usual, which I didn't really care about.
• I marched towards him,as I approached I extended my hand towards him for a handshake which he shook and made a move to hug me which I sidestepped.
• Causing a gasp of surprise from him, which he quickly masked, he glanced towards the servants and one look got them all scurrying away to their duties, then he returned his gaze to me.
• A show of affection was definitely not my thing, especially not one from him.
• He gestured for me to follow him to his office. As we walked, he briefed me on the recent events,the sabotage at the docks, the loss of Mikel Charlo. It was a significant blow, but one I was confident we could recover from.
• In the privacy of his office, Father’s demeanor shifted. He looked older, wearier than I remembered. "Diego, this attack wasn’t just about the shipment. It was personal. Someone wants to dismantle us from within, the work was clean, no traces”
• I sat across from him, leaning forward. "Do we have any leads?"
• "Not yet," he admitted. "But I suspect it’s more than a rival family. This feels like someone with a grudge. We need to tighten security and vet everyone again."
• I agreed, already planning the steps in my mind. "I’ll start with the staff. Any new hires recently?"
• "A few," he said. "But they’ve all been vetted."
• "I’ll handle it," I said, standing. "We’ll find the traitor."
• “Thank you,” he said, looking at me with calmness and love, a sheepish smile plastered on his face.
• A look that I craved for years and didn't get, I definitely don't need it now. Over the years I have mastered the look of indifference, never giving away what I feel in my mind on display on my face.
• “Oui bisogno una stanza” I demanded not returning his smile.
• (Italian: I need a room)
• “e anche per i miei amici” calling those dimwitt my friends sounded foreign to my tongue.
• (Italian:And for my friends too”)
• “Sure,” he answered back in English.“Grazie,” I replied curtly, turning to leave.
• As I made my way through the manor, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled in my gut. The Moretto empire, though powerful, was fragile.
• One well-placed strike, like the one we’d just suffered, could send everything crashing down. It was my job to ensure that didn't happen.
• My first priority was to establish a base of operations within the manor. I needed to have eyes and ears everywhere.After ensuring that my two most trusted men had their rooms assigned, I moved to my own quarters.
• It had been hastily prepared, but it would do. The room was spacious, with a large desk by the window and a luxurious bed in the center. I walked over to the desk and pulled out a small, concealed laptop.First, I reviewed the security footage from the night of the explosion again
• I needed to be certain there were no clues we had missed. After an hour of checking the footage, I was certain that whoever had sabotaged the shipment was an expert with no clear trace, no identifiable features.
• Frustratingly perfect.
• After days of resting and settling in,I decided to start my investigation with the new staffs.
• I walked over to the large bell like button in the room and pressed, demanding a servant. In a few seconds one came in.
• I recognize her as the chief maid who has been working for papa for a long time.
• “Miss Lucia “
• “Signore “ she tipped her head downward in respect.
• “Don't act too formal,you practically raised me for the fifteen years of my life,Call me Diego “ I said sternly.
• “Will do so”
• “I want you to summon all the new staff we got recently and have them go to papa’s office in ten minutes”
• She nodded and left.
• I took off my clothes, and stepped into the large bathroom for a quick shower.
• I got dressed with a black trousers and a white button down,long sleeve clothes and headed out, only bumping into someone along the corridor.
• “watch your steps”
• She hurriedly pi
• cked up her phone that fell and looked me directly in the eye again, then scurrying away.
• This girl again…