Chapter 9 - The New LedgerSix months later, the grounds of the Moretti estate looked entirely different.
The grim, forbidding fortress of iron gates and armed guards had been softened. Flower beds lined the cobblestone driveways, and the west wing had been converted into a bright, sunlit charity foundation dedicated to helping families of wrongfully accused individuals—funded entirely by the Moretti syndicate’s newly laundered, legitimate assets.
In the private study, a new antique clock stood proudly on the mahogany shelf, ticking away with a steady, peaceful rhythm.
Adrian Moretti sat behind his grand desk, reviewing shipping manifests for the upcoming European trade quarter. But his eyes kept drifting toward the open French doors leading out to the garden.
Outside on the emerald lawn, Elena was laughing as she chased a three-year-old girl in a pink sweater who was trying desperately to make a paper airplane fly against the wind.
Beside Adrian, Dominic stood quietly with a stack of new files.
“Boss, the board meeting in Zurich is confirmed for Thursday,” Dominic reported.
“Reschedule it, Dominic,” Adrian said without looking up from his papers.
Dominic blinked, surprised. “Reschedule it? Why? That contract is worth forty million dollars.”
Adrian finally looked up, watching through the glass as Mia successfully threw her paper airplane, letting out a triumphant cheer as it caught a thermal updraft and soared across the grass.
“Because Thursday is field trip day at Mia’s preschool,” Adrian said simply, a quiet contentment settling into his voice. “And her mother promised me she’d pack extra peanut butter cookies.”
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Dominic stared at his boss for a second, then a slow, knowing grin spread across his face.
“Consider it done, Boss.”
