Chapter 10 - The Return of الجلد (The Return of the Rightful Heir)
The heavy headlights of the armored black SUV swept across the wrought-iron gates of the Moretti estate.
The iron bars parted smoothly as Frankie signaled the security outpost from the front seat.
Inside the vehicle, Rebecca Moretti clutched a heavy wool coat tightly around her shoulders.
Her eyes reflected the warm amber glow of the main mansion lights as the car rolled up the circular drive.
She had not set foot on these grounds for six long, agonizing months.
The vehicle came to a smooth halt near the grand double doors of the entrance.
Before Frankie could reach for the door handle, the heavy wood swung open.
I stood on the marble threshold, watching the steam rise in the crisp autumn air.
Rebecca stepped out of the SUV, her boots crunching softly against the gravel.
For a second, she stood frozen, staring up at me as if she expected me to vanish like a ghost.
Then, all her carefully maintained defenses broke apart.
She ran across the remaining distance and threw her arms around my neck.
I wrapped my arms securely around her, burying my face in her hair.
"You're safe now, little bird," I whispered softly against her ear.
"I'm sorry, Luca," she sobbed, her tears soaking through the lapel of my suit jacket.
"I was so terrified they were going to erase me entirely."
"Nobody is erasing anyone from this family ever again," I replied, holding her tightly.
Mrs. Carter stood just inside the doorway, holding a warm woolen shawl and a cup of spiced tea.
Her eyes glistened with quiet relief as she welcomed the young mistress back to her home.
I guided Rebecca up the marble steps and into the brightly lit foyer.
The atmosphere of the house had fundamentally shifted from a cage of deception into a fortress of truth.
Hannah Miller stood quietly near the entrance of the study, holding a leather-bound ledger.
She bowed her head respectfully as Rebecca walked past.
"Who is she?" Rebecca asked, wiping a tear from her cheek as she looked at Hannah.
"This is Hannah Miller," I answered, leading my sister toward the warmth of the hallway.
"She is my new administrative chief, and the person who saved your letters from the incinerator."
Rebecca turned back, walking over to Hannah with genuine gratitude shining in her eyes.
"Thank you," Rebecca whispered, taking Hannah’s hand in her own.
"You saved more than just letters; you saved my life."
"I only did what was right, Miss Moretti," Hannah replied, offering a warm, reassuring smile.
"Come, Becca," I said, guiding her toward the dining room.
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"Mrs. Carter has prepared a hot dinner, and we have a syndicate council to convene by morning."
The dark cloud that had hovered over the Moretti estate for half a year had finally been blown away by the winds of justice.
