Chapter 7 - THE THREAT AGAINST A LITTLE GIRL
Elena returned to the estate two weeks later.
She was still recovering.
Her doctor had recommended rest and follow-up care.
Damian offered her paid leave.
She accepted reluctantly.
But she insisted on returning to the staff block to collect some belongings.
Lily came with her.
The little girl was delighted to be back.
She ran toward the courtyard.
“Mommy! Snow!”
Elena smiled.
“Stay close.”
Lily nodded.
Then she spotted Damian near the garden.
“Mr. Damian!”
Before Elena could stop her, Lily ran toward him.
Damian turned.
The little girl threw her arms around his legs.
He froze.
Marco looked away to hide a smile.
Damian slowly crouched.
“Hello, Miss Parker.”
Lily grinned.
“I missed you.”
Damian's expression softened.
“I missed you too.”
She held up Mr. Buttons.
“He missed you also.”
“Did he?”
“Yes.”
Damian nodded solemnly.
“Please tell him I'm honored.”
Lily giggled.
Elena approached.
“Lily, don't bother Mr. Bellucci.”
Damian stood.
“She's not bothering me.”
Elena smiled faintly.
“Thank you.”
For a moment, their eyes met.
Something passed between them.
Warmth.
Curiosity.
A feeling neither was ready to name.
Then Lily tugged Damian's sleeve.
“Can you come see my picture?”
He looked down.
“What picture?”
“The yellow house.”
Damian glanced at Elena.
She smiled.
“If you're not busy.”
He almost laughed.
He had three meetings that afternoon.
Two lawyers waiting.
And a shipping contract worth millions.
But a three-year-old wanted to show him a drawing.
“I have time,” he said.
Lily beamed.
They walked toward the staff block.
Neither noticed the dark sedan parked beyond the estate gates.
Inside, Vincent Caruso watched through binoculars.
He lowered them slowly.
“So,” he murmured.
“That's the weakness.”
His associate looked at him.
“What?”
Vincent smiled.
“The maid.”
He looked toward Lily.
“And the child.”
The associate shifted uneasily.
“Caruso, that's a little girl.”
Vincent's smile vanished.
“I can see that.”
He started the engine.
“Bellucci has spent years pretending he doesn't care about anyone.”
May you like
He looked toward the estate.
“Let's see how true that is.”
