Chapter 5 - The Aftermath and the Press
By sunrise the next morning, the scandal had already detonated across Chicago like a localized earthquake.
Social media was ablaze. The Chicago Tribune gossip columns and online tabloids ran frantic headlines: BILLIONAIRE LUCA MORETTI CALLS OFF HIGH-SOCIETY WEDDING JUST DAYS BEFORE THE CEREMONY! and MYSTERIOUS BREAKUP AT THE MORETTI MANSION: WHO IS THE REAL REASON BEHIND THE CANCELLED NUPTIALS?
Reporters and paparazzi crowded the outer gates of the estate, their camera lenses flashing like distant lightning storms against the wrought-iron ironwork. Security guards had to be doubled at every perimeter entrance to keep the bloodthirsty press from swarming the front steps.
Inside the mansion, however, the atmosphere was lighter than it had been in months.
For the first time since Vanessa had moved in, breakfast was filled with the sound of a child’s genuine laughter. Sophie sat in her high chair right beside Luca at the massive dining table, unbothered by the chaos outside the gates, happily dipping her toast into scrambled eggs while Luca watched her with a look of pure, unadulterated adoration.
"More butter, Daddy," Sophie commanded happily, pointing a sticky finger at the butter dish.
Luca chuckled, a rich, deep sound that I hadn't heard him make once since I started working at the estate. "Coming right up, Princess."
I stood nearby, pouring fresh black coffee into Luca’s cup. As I set the silver pot down, Luca looked up at me, his expression turning serious.
"The PR team is arriving at ten o'clock," Luca said, his voice dropping. "They want to issue a statement about 'irreconcilable personal differences' to keep the press off our backs. But Vanessa’s father, Marcus Bellini, has already called my office twice this morning threatening a breach of contract lawsuit over the commercial real estate partnership."
"Let him sue," Maria said, walking into the dining room with a fresh pot of tea. "If he wants to take this to court, we’ll introduce Sophie’s laminated rulebook into evidence. Let a judge read how his precious daughter starved a two-year-old child."
Luca shook his head slowly. "It’s not just a legal battle, Maria. Vanessa’s family controls twenty percent of the supply chain for our downtown residential towers. Pulling out of the partnership will cost us millions in delays."
"Money can be earned back," I said quietly before I could stop myself.
Luca and Maria both turned to look at me. I felt a slight flush rise to my cheeks, but I held my ground.
"Money can be earned back, Mr. Moretti," I repeated firmly. "Peace of mind and a child’s sense of safety cannot. If you compromise with people like the Bellinis now, they’ll think Sophie’s happiness is negotiable. And it’s not."
Luca stared at me for a long, silent moment. A slow, appreciative smile touched the corners of his lips—a real smile, reaching all the way to his dark eyes.
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"You’re entirely right, Claire," Luca said softly. "Let Bellini sue. I’ll tear his entire corporate empire down brick by brick before I let anyone lay another hand on my daughter."
Just then, the heavy oak front doors echoed with a furious, pounding knock that vibrated all the way into the dining room.
