Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT THE GATES WERE BREACHED
Z
The attack happened during a charity dinner at the Moretti estate.
Lorenzo had invited local business leaders to discuss funding for a rehabilitation center.
Giovanni attended in his wheelchair.
He wore a dark suit.
His silver hair was neatly combed.
And for the first time in years, he sat at the head of the table.
I attended as a guest.
Not an employee.
Giovanni had insisted.
He sent me a message earlier that afternoon.
COME EAT REAL FOOD.
I laughed so hard I cried.
The dinner was warm.
Elegant.
For a few hours, everything felt normal.
Then the lights went out.
A sharp sound came from the service entrance.
Security alarms began ringing.
Someone shouted.
Lorenzo stood immediately.
“Everyone stay calm.”
His security chief moved toward the hallway.
I gripped the table.
My heart pounded.
Giovanni reached for my hand.
I took it.
Security personnel responded to an attempted unauthorized entry near the service wing.
The intruders fled before reaching the main residence.
Police were called.
The estate was secured.
Nobody at the dinner was injured.
But the incident frightened everyone.
Later, investigators found evidence suggesting the intruders had been trying to access the estate's administrative offices.
The attempted breach occurred while the household investigation was ongoing.
Lorenzo sat in his study.
Gabriel stood beside him.
“Sir, we don't know who sent them.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“Then we find out.”
Meanwhile, I sat beside Giovanni in the library.
He looked exhausted.
I took his hand.
“Are you okay?”
He indicated YES.
Then typed:
LORENZO IS ANGRY.
I smiled sadly.
“I know.”
Giovanni looked at me.
TELL HIM TO COME HOME.
I frowned.
“He's already here.”
Giovanni shook his head.
Then typed:
NOT THE HOUSE.
I stared.
He continued.
HIS LIFE.
I understood.
Giovanni didn't want his son to spend the rest of his life chasing enemies.
He wanted him to live.
To love.
To build something that couldn't be taken away by violence.
That night, I found Lorenzo standing alone on the terrace.
Snow drifted beyond the lights.
I approached.
“Your father wants you to come home.”
He looked at me.
“I'm standing in my house.”
I smiled sadly.
“That's not what he means.”
Lorenzo stared at the darkness.
May you like
Then whispered:
“I know.”
