Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT PAULO CAME HOME
Z
Paulo Richi was found on a Thursday morning.
An employee at a roadside motel recognized his photograph from a missing-person notice and contacted police.
Officers arrived.
Paulo was alive.
Dehydrated.
Exhausted.
And frightened.
He required medical evaluation, but the initial report suggested he would recover.
When Luca learned the news, he sat down so abruptly that his chair struck the wall.
Sophia was beside him.
“Alive?”
“Yes,” Grace answered.
Luca covered his face.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then his shoulders began shaking.
Sophia looked away, giving him privacy.
But Luca reached for her hand.
She hesitated.
Then took it.
He held on as though he'd been standing at the edge of something terrible and had finally found solid ground.
Paulo later described being abducted after someone arranged a false meeting.
He'd been pressured to surrender documents concerning Winter Seven.
He refused.
He was moved between several locations.
Then released after investigators began closing in.
His testimony implicated individuals associated with Vittorio Sala's business network.
Investigators continued corroborating the account.
The case was far from finished.
But Paulo was home.
The Romano estate changed after his return.
Luca asked Grace to review the household employment practices and security procedures.
Mrs. Klein was instructed to report concerns directly without fear of retaliation.
Staff members received proper contracts, schedules, and access to independent complaint processes.
The service entrances were reviewed.
The pantry where Sophia had eaten alone for two years was renovated into a staff lounge.
When Mrs. Klein saw the new room, she stood in the doorway.
Then burst out laughing.
“Two years of telling them that pantry was miserable.”
Sophia smiled.
“Perhaps they finally listened.”
Mrs. Klein looked at her.
“No, dear.”
She took Sophia's hand.
“They finally listened to you.”
Sophia felt tears rise.
Luca also began reviewing his own life.
He had spent years surrounded by people who feared disappointing him.
They obeyed.
Smiled.
Agreed.
And withheld information they thought he didn't want to hear.
Now he understood how dangerous that was.
One evening, he met with his senior managers.
“I don't need people who tell me I'm right,” he said.
The room fell silent.
“I need people who tell me when I'm wrong.”
Dante looked at him.
Then smiled faintly.
“That's going to be an adjustment.”
Luca returned the smile.
“For all of us.”
Sophia watched these changes from a distance.
She had resigned from the household position.
Her attorney helped her address the legal and personal matters connected to her prior employment.
She began reconnecting with former colleagues in international language services.
For the first time in two years, she considered returning to her profession.
Then Luca invited her to dinner.
Not to the estate.
Not to a business meeting.
A small restaurant near the river.
Sophia stared at the invitation.
“Dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He looked unexpectedly nervous.
“Because I'd like to know you outside a conference room.”
She considered.
“Luca, our history is complicated.”
“I know.”
“You threatened me.”
“Yes.”
“Your business may be connected to my father's death.”
“I know.”
She folded her arms.
“And I don't owe you anything because you've been polite recently.”
He nodded.
“Agreed.”
Sophia studied him.
Then smiled faintly.
“One dinner.”
Luca's face changed.
“Really?”
“One.”
He smiled.
“Then I'll try not to ruin it.”
May you like
Sophia laughed.
“That would be an excellent beginning.”
