🔥 THE HUMILIATED MAID’S TODDLER PAINTED FLOWERS ON THE SLEEPING MAFIA BOSS—THEN HE CLAIMED HER MOTHER AS HIS BRIDE WHEN HIS OWN FAMILY FRAMED HER FOR MURDER

"It was planted," Alessandro growled, slamming his whiskey glass onto the table with enough force to shatter the base. "Julian paid off someone inside the household."

"They are demanding to search the nursery," Vincent said desperately. "The police have Federal Marshals with them. If we resist, it will spark a shootout on the estate grounds."

Sophia ran toward the nursery door, her heart pounding frantically against her ribs. "You can't let them near my daughter! She’s three years old! She doesn't understand any of this!"

Alessandro caught her by the waist, pulling her back into his chest. His arms were like iron bars, holding her firmly as she struggled against him in sheer panic.

"Listen to me!" Alessandro barked into her ear, forcing her to look at him. "If you run in there screaming, they will take her as evidence. They will place her in protective custody under the state, and you will never see her again!"

"Then what do I do?!" Sophia sobbed, grabbing the lapels of his shirt, her eyes wild with agony. "They’re setting us up! They want to take my baby!"

"Trust me," Alessandro said, his dark eyes staring directly into her soul with unwavering certainty. "Look at me, Sophia. Do you trust me?"

Sophia looked into the eyes of the deadliest man in the city. She had known him only as a shadowy master whose floors she scrubbed. But right now, he was the only wall standing between her daughter and complete destruction.

"I trust you," she whispered softly.

Alessandro released her and turned to Vincent. "Open the gates. Let the Commissioner and his men up to the foyer. Do not let them step a single foot upstairs."

Ten minutes later, the grand foyer of the Moretti mansion was flooded with armed police officers, federal agents, and news cameras flashing wildly outside the iron gates.

Commissioner Raymond, a stern man with graying hair and a reputation for ruthlessness, stood at the base of the grand staircase, holding a search warrant. Beside him stood Julian, wearing a triumphant, deceitful grin.

"Alessandro Moretti!" Raymond called out, his voice echoing in the marble hall. "We have a warrant to search the premises for physical evidence linked to the murder of Marcus Vance!"

At the top of the stairs, Alessandro appeared. He was calm, dressed impeccably, with his hands casually tucked into his trousers pockets. Beside him stood Sophia, looking poised, serene, and remarkably regal, wearing her heavy diamond necklace.

"Commissioner," Alessandro said smoothly as he glided down the stairs. "You bring a circus to my front door at midnight. Is this how the NYPD treats a private citizen?"

"You married a murder suspect three hours ago to abuse spousal privilege!" Raymond snapped. "We received a direct tip that the weapon used to slash Marcus Vance’s throat is hidden in the child's room!"

Julian stepped forward, pretending to look sorrowful. "Alessandro, please... let them search. If she is innocent, let the law prove it. Don't ruin the family for this woman!"

Alessandro stopped at the bottom step, looking down at Julian with absolute disgust.

"Search if you must, Commissioner," Alessandro said, stepping aside gracefully. "But know this: if your men lay a single dirty finger on my stepdaughter’s toys without finding what you claim, I will sue the city for harassment, and I will have your badge by morning."

Raymond motioned to his lead forensic officer. "Search the nursery."

Sophia held her breath, her hand tightly squeezed in Alessandro’s grip. She felt his thumb gently rubbing the back of her hand—a subtle, warm gesture of reassurance that completely contradicted his terrifying persona.

Minutes ticked by like hours. The silence in the foyer was agonizing. Julian stood with his arms crossed, waiting for the officer to come down with the bloody knife.