Chapter 4 - THE MAN WHO KNEW EVERY DOOR
Vincent Romano had served the Moretti family since Alessandro's father was alive.
He knew every corridor.
Every servant.
Every security code.
Every weakness.
He had been present when Alessandro learned to walk.
When Alessandro's mother died.
When his father was buried.
And when Alessandro inherited an empire built on fear.
For decades, Vincent had appeared loyal.
But loyalty had become resentment.
He had watched younger men gain wealth and power while he remained the man who managed their homes.
He had convinced himself that the Morettis owed him more.
Six months earlier, Vincent had been approached by a rival businessman named Victor Salerno.
Salerno controlled several transportation companies competing with Moretti interests.
He offered Vincent money in exchange for access to confidential information.
At first, Vincent provided schedules.
Then financial records.
Then security details.
Eventually, Salerno demanded something more.
He wanted Alessandro removed from a crucial negotiation.
The sedative was supposed to leave Alessandro incapacitated long enough for a forged authorization to be circulated.
Vincent had agreed.
He told himself nobody would die.
But he had no guarantee.
Now the plan had failed.
Because of a three-year-old girl with a paintbrush.
Vincent met Salerno in a private parking garage that evening.
Salerno stood beside a black sedan.
“You failed.”
Vincent's jaw tightened.
“The child saw me.”
Salerno stared.
“What child?”
“The housekeeper's daughter.”
Salerno laughed.
“A toddler?”
Vincent looked away.
“She told Alessandro.”
Salerno stopped smiling.
He stepped closer.
“Then we have a problem.”
Vincent swallowed.
“What do you want me to do?”
Salerno looked at him.
“Find out what she remembers.”
Vincent shook his head.
“She's three.”
Salerno's expression hardened.
“Then perhaps her mother will be easier to persuade.”
Back at the mansion, Nicholas reviewed the security system.
He discovered that Vincent had created several hidden administrator accounts.
The accounts allowed him to disable cameras and access restricted areas without generating normal alerts.
Alessandro studied the report.
“Who else knew?”
Nicholas shook his head.
“We're still investigating.”
Alessandro looked toward the guest suite.
Sophia and Emma were sleeping upstairs.
He had spent years preparing for enemies outside the walls.
May you like
Now the danger had been invited inside.
And the only person who had noticed was a child who thought sad faces needed flowers.
