Chapter 4 - the witness in the yellow dress
By seven o'clock the following morning, a crisp golden sunrise broke over the estate grounds, illuminating the quiet halls of the mansion.
In the small private dining room near the kitchen, three-year-old Emma sat on a plush chair, her small feet dangling above the floor. She wore a clean yellow floral dress, happily eating a bowl of warm oatmeal with berries. Sitting beside her was her mother, Sarah Carter—the estate's hardworking head housekeeper. Sarah was twenty-nine, gentle, beautiful, and pale with worry as she held her daughter's hand.
Lorenzo walked into the dining room, having shed his suit jacket. He wore his open-collar white shirt with the sleeves rolled up over his tattooed forearms.
Sarah stood up instantly, bowing her head nervously. "Mr. Duca... I am so sorry if Emma was wandering around your private wing late at night! I didn't realize she had slipped out of our quarters—"
Lorenzo raised a broad hand, gently stopping Sarah in her tracks. "Sit down, Sarah."
Lorenzo walked over and crouched beside little Emma's chair. His rugged, intimidating face softened into a rare, genuine expression of warmth as he looked at the three-year-old girl.
"Emma," Lorenzo murmured softly, his deep voice gentle. "How did you know about the packets inside Lucas's pillow?"
Emma swallowed her bite of oatmeal, holding up her worn stuffed rabbit. "I was looking for Mr. Bunny under Lucas's bed two weeks ago. I saw Miss Vivian sewing the pillow with a sharp needle. She told me it was a secret magic powder to help Lucas sleep... but when I touched the powder, it made my fingers go numb."
Sarah gasped in horror, covering her mouth with both hands. "Oh my God..."
"And how did you find the key behind the wall, sweetie?" Lorenzo asked gently.
"Miss Vivian dropped it under the desk when she was opening the wooden wall," Emma explained innocently, her bright blue eyes clear and honest. "I picked it up and kept it in my rabbit's ear so she wouldn't hide the bad drink anymore."
Lorenzo reached out, his broad, calloused hand gently stroking Emma's curly blonde hair. "You saved my son's life, Emma. You are the bravest girl in this house."
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He stood up, looking at Sarah Carter with unshakeable authority. "Effective today, Sarah, you are promoted to Head Estate Manager. Your salary is quadrupled, and you and Emma will move into the master guest suite on the second floor. No one in this city will ever threaten your family again."
Sarah wept tears of pure relief and gratitude, holding her daughter close as Lorenzo walked out of the room to prepare for the interrogation in the holding suite.
