38 The housekeeper was supposed to be invisible. Instead, Sophia Hale became the only person who could expose a massive conspiracy inside the Moretti estate.

Two weeks after the Council trial, peace slowly returned to the Moretti estate.

The shattered chapel doors were replaced with solid oak, the gardens were replanted with fresh white roses, and the security systems were upgraded to impenetrable state-of-the-art technology.

Yet, despite the victory, a quiet tension hung over Sophia.

She was no longer the housekeeper. Lorenzo had officially moved her and Lily out of the small servant quarters near the kitchen into the grand master suite wing of the mansion. Lorenzo had hired three private tutors for Lily and Mia, who had become completely inseparable, playing together in the estate's vast playgrounds like real sisters.

One evening, as rain tapped gently against the tall French windows of the library, Sophia sat by the fireplace, staring into the dancing flames, a warm cup of tea untouched in her hands.

Lorenzo walked into the room, stepping softly across the Persian rug. He had shed his suit jacket, wearing a comfortable black cashmere sweater with his sleeves rolled up, exposing the dark ink of his family tattoos.

He sat down on the leather sofa beside her, reaching out to gently take her cup and set it on the coffee table.

"You're a million miles away tonight, Sophia," Lorenzo said softly, his deep voice wrapping around her like a warm blanket.

Sophia let out a long sigh, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I'm just... waiting for the other shoe to drop, Lorenzo. Six months ago, I was struggling to buy groceries, working three jobs, hiding from my abusive ex-fiancé, Julian. Now... I'm living in a palace, wearing silk dresses, and eating dinner with a man who controls New York."

Lorenzo turned slightly, taking both of her hands in his large, warm palms.

"You belong here, Sophia," Lorenzo said firmly. "You aren't a guest in this house. You are the heart of it."

"Julian is still out there, Lorenzo," Sophia whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she voiced her deepest, darkest secret.

Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed instantly. "Your ex-fiancé? Lily’s biological father?"

Sophia nodded slowly, tears welling in her eyes. "Julian was a dangerous gambler. When I got pregnant with Lily, he wanted me to abort her because he owed debts to bad people. That’s why I fled Chicago six years ago. I changed my name, took Lily, and disappeared into the shadows."

She looked up at Lorenzo, her eyes wide with fear. "Valentina found out about my past before she was arrested. She told me she sent my real identity and my location to Julian’s associates in Chicago as a backup plan."

Lorenzo’s jaw set into iron. He reached out, gently cupping her chin, forcing her to look directly into his eyes.

"Listen to me, Sophia," Lorenzo said, his voice laced with an absolute, unyielding authority. "You are under my protection now. The Moretti family name covers you and Lily. If this Julian takes one step into New York, he won't be dealing with a helpless girl hiding in a cheap apartment. He will be dealing with me."

Before Sophia could answer, Marco knocked briskly on the open library door, holding a black leather folder.

"Boss," Marco said, his expression grave. "We just intercepted a private flight manifest arriving at JFK Airport from Chicago."