Chapter 5 - THE BOY WITH THE MORETTI EYES
The little boy's name was Noah.
Evelyn had seen him only twice.
He lived in a separate wing of the estate under the care of a private nanny.
Luca never allowed him near guests.
Adrian listened carefully.
"Who is his mother?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"I don't know."
"Does he look like Luca?"
She hesitated.
"He has the Moretti eyes."
Adrian felt a cold pressure in his chest.
Luca had been presumed dead for five years.
If Noah was five, he had been born around the time of the staged death.
Perhaps the boy was Luca's son.
Perhaps something else was hidden.
Adrian asked:
"Why did Luca keep him secret?"
Evelyn looked frightened.
"Because the boy knows something."
"What?"
"He once told me he remembered a woman crying in a basement."
Adrian stared.
"Where?"
"The lake house."
His mother.
Evelyn had said she'd seen her there.
Adrian's mind connected the pieces.
Luca had hidden multiple people.
His wife.
His daughter.
Possibly his mother.
And a child who had witnessed something.
The door opened.
Luca entered.
"Time's up."
Adrian stood.
"I want to see Grace."
Luca smiled.
"Of course you do."
"Now."
"Patience."
Adrian took a step forward.
Luca's guards shifted.
Evelyn gripped Adrian's hand.
He stopped.
Luca noticed.
His smile widened.
"Good girl, Evie."
Adrian's voice became ice.
"Don't call her that."
Luca laughed.
"Still jealous."
He turned toward Evelyn.
"Back to work."
Adrian moved.
One guard reached for him.
Adrian stopped before the situation escalated.
He looked at Luca.
"You want something from me."
Luca's expression changed.
"Finally."
"Then tell me what it is."
Luca approached.
"Father's trust."
Adrian frowned.
"The Moretti family trust?"
"Seventy-eight million dollars in legitimate holdings."
Adrian stared.
"Those assets are protected."
"Exactly."
Luca smiled.
"I need your authorization to release them."
Adrian understood.
His brother had not invited him to Newport for reconciliation.
He had invited him to steal.
"Why now?" Adrian asked.
Luca's smile faded.
"Because certain investments have become inconvenient."
Adrian studied him.
"You're broke."
Luca's jaw tightened.
"Careful."
Adrian smiled coldly.
"All this money. All these lies. And you're running out of time."
Luca stepped closer.
"Sign the documents, and you meet your daughter."
Adrian stared.
"And if I refuse?"
Luca looked toward Evelyn.
Then smiled.
"You've already lost one family, brother."
Adrian felt rage rise.
But he forced himself to remain still.
"Bring the papers."
Luca nodded.
"Good."
He turned to leave.
Then stopped.
"One more thing."
Adrian looked at him.
"Don't try to be clever."
Luca smiled.
"I've had five years to prepare for this."
When he left, Evelyn looked at Adrian.
"You're not going to sign, are you?"
Adrian took her hand.
"No."
She exhaled.
"Then what are you going to do?"
He looked toward the locked door.
"Something Luca forgot I learned from our father."
Evelyn frowned.
"What?"
May you like
Adrian smiled without warmth.
"Never negotiate without knowing where the exits are."
