Chapter 14 - A NEW CHAPTER AT THE MORETTI ESTATE
Two weeks had passed since the dramatic collapse of the Bellini syndicate and the quiet restructuring of Chicago's underground business empire.
The morning sun poured through the high arched windows of the Moretti mansion, casting warm golden light across the polished marble floors of the grand foyer.
I stepped through the heavy iron front gates, holding my canvas duffel bag in one hand, taking a deep breath of the crisp autumn air.
My left cheek had healed almost entirely, leaving only a faint, nearly invisible trace of pink beneath my skin that my natural foundation easily covered.
Mrs. Carter was waiting for me at the front entrance, holding a fresh leather binder and a set of master keys.
"Welcome back, Olivia," Mrs. Carter said with a rare, approving smile that reached her eyes. "The master gave explicit instructions regarding your return."
"My return?" I repeated, blinking in surprise. "I thought my service contract was terminated when I took the paid leave."
"Your service contract as a junior domestic server was terminated, yes," Mrs. Carter corrected smoothly, handing over the leather binder. "You are now officially appointed as the head archival coordinator and executive assistant to the private estate office."
I opened the binder in disbelief.
The starting salary listed on the official employment contract was four times higher than my previous wages, complete with full medical benefits and private living quarters in the west wing.
Before I could process the life-changing numbers, the heavy oak doors of the private study swung open.
Luca Moretti walked out into the hallway, dressed in his customary black suit, looking every bit the ruthless underworld boss who commanded the city.
He stopped a few feet away from me, his dark eyes scanning my face with quiet approval.
"Welcome back to work, Olivia," Luca said softly. "I trust the safehouse provided adequate peace and quiet for your recovery?"
May you like
"More than adequate, Mr. Moretti," I managed to reply, my heart skipping a beat as I clutched the leather binder against my chest. "Thank you for... everything."
"You earned every single word of it," he replied simply, turning toward his study. "Now, come inside. We have an extensive collection of historical shipping manifests from 2021 that need proper cataloging before noon."
