Chapter 5 - THE CHILD THEY WANTED SILENCED
I had spent twenty years protecting my family empire.
That night, I realized I had failed to protect a five-year-old child.
The moment I saw Sophie's photograph, I called Clara.
No answer.
I called again.
Nothing.
My heart hammered.
"Marcus, get the police liaison on the phone."
He nodded.
I turned toward my mother.
"Stay here."
She grabbed my arm.
"Dante, Vincent wants you to react emotionally."
"He's threatening a child."
"I know."
"Then he chose the wrong child."
I stopped myself.
Anger wouldn't help Sophie.
I needed to think.
Clara had made one thing perfectly clear.
She didn't want armed men following her daughter.
I wasn't going to turn their lives into another battlefield.
I contacted the detective already handling the dangerous package.
I showed him the photograph and threatening message.
Within minutes, officers were sent to check on Clara and Sophie.
I waited.
Those ten minutes felt longer than any hour of my life.
Finally, my phone rang.
"Mr. Moretti, they're safe."
I closed my eyes.
"Where?"
"At home. Mrs. Alvarez says her phone was on silent while she put Sophie to bed."
I exhaled.
"Thank God."
The detective continued.
"We're arranging protective measures and documenting the threat."
I nodded.
"Whatever they need."
Then he added, "Mrs. Alvarez wants to speak with you."
A moment later, Clara came on the line.
"Mr. Moretti?"
"Clara."
Her voice shook.
"What's happening?"
I took a breath.
"Someone connected to the situation at the party threatened your family."
Silence.
Then she whispered, "Because Sophie told the truth?"
"Possibly."
Clara began crying.
"She's five years old."
"I know."
"She was just trying to help you."
"I know."
Her voice hardened.
"Then please don't let anyone turn her into a target."
The words cut through me.
I thought about every reckless decision I'd made in the name of family loyalty.
Every enemy I'd created.
Every secret I'd allowed to survive.
"Clara, I'm going to cooperate fully with the investigation. You and Sophie deserve to be safe."
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she whispered, "Thank you."
After the call, my mother approached.
"She's a good woman."
I nodded.
"She is."
My mother studied me.
"And her daughter?"
I looked down.
"Braver than half the men I've trusted."
She smiled sadly.
"Children often see the truth because they haven't learned to ignore it."
I turned toward Marcus.
"Tell me everything you know about Vincent."
He hesitated.
"There's something you should see first."
He opened a sealed folder.
Inside were photographs, financial records, and correspondence.
The documents showed Vincent secretly transferring money from legitimate Moretti companies into private accounts.
Millions.
Tens of millions.
But one account was different.
It belonged to Clara Alvarez.
I stared.
"Why is Clara's name here?"
Marcus swallowed.
"Someone opened an account using her identity."
My stomach tightened.
"How much money?"
"Three million dollars."
I stared at the figure.
Clara earned barely enough to support herself and Sophie.
Someone had hidden three million dollars under her name.
May you like
Then Marcus revealed the worst part.
"The account was created six months before Clara started working here."
