Chapter 1 - the dog kennel
The autumn sun shone brightly over the manicured lawns of the Moretti estate. Classical violin music floated across the stone terrace, where dozens of New York high-society elite gathered in designer suits and evening gowns. Silver platters of seared beef tenderloin and vintage champagne were carried past flower arrangements by servers in white gloves.
At the far edge of the patio, near the wrought-iron fence bordering the oak trees, stood the estate’s dog kennels. The iron cages housed three massive black Cane Corsos, their heavy panting echoing against the brick wall.
Celeste Moretti gripped eight-year-old Ellie by her upper arm, her manicured red nails digging through the fabric of the girl's pale-lavender cardigan. Celeste’s crimson evening gown caught the afternoon light, her diamond necklace sparkling against her pale skin.
"Sit," Celeste hissed, forcing Ellie down onto the dirty stone pavers right beside the heavy iron bars of the kennel.
Ellie stumbled, her small flats slipping on the grit. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at her stepmother. "Stepmom, please... Daddy said I could sit at the main table for the cake."
"Your father isn't here right now," Celeste sneered, snatching a stainless-steel dog bowl filled with clumpy, wet brown kibble from the ground. She shoved a silver spoon into Ellie’s trembling hand and pushed the bowl into her lap. "Your father’s dogs are worth more than you are."
Ellie pulled her knees to her chest, sobbing quietly as one of the giant black dogs barked behind the wire mesh, pressing its dark snout against the steel.
"Eat it," Celeste commanded, her voice cold and merciless. "Or I’ll lock you inside the run with them."
"She won't eat a single bite."
The deep, gravelly voice echoed from behind the tall garden hedge.
Victor Moretti stepped into the clear. Broad-shouldered, battle-hardened, and terrifyingly composed, the legendary Mafia boss towered over the space in his custom midnight-black tuxedo. Gold cufflinks glinted at his wrists, and his polished shoes made no sound against the flagstones. His icy grey eyes swept across the scene, locking onto the dog bowl in his daughter's lap.
Victor moved in two long strides. He kicked the metal bowl across the courtyard with an iron crack, sending brown kibble spraying against the brick wall. In a fluid motion, he reached down, gathered Ellie into his arm, and lifted her back to her feet, pulling her behind his broad frame.
Victor looked down at his wife, his voice low and threatening. "You fed my daughter this?"
Celeste didn't flinch. She folded her arms across her chest, her diamond bracelet catching the light, and looked down at Ellie with pure contempt.
"She should be grateful I feed her at all," Celeste mocked, stepping closer.
Victor’s face remained a mask of stone. Without uttering a word, he reached toward a nearby banquet side-table, picked up Celeste’s untouched porcelain plate filled with expensive rare steak and truffle risotto, and dumped the entire meal into the empty dog bowl on the floor.
Before Celeste could react, Victor picked up the dog bowl, stepped forward, and poured the entire greasy mixture directly over Celeste’s styled blonde hair.
Celeste gasped as gravy and meat slid down her face, ruining her crimson evening gown. She stumbled backward in shock, her high heels catching the edge of a cushioned garden armchair, sending her falling heavily into the wicker frame.
Silence fell over the garden corridor, save for the low growl of the dogs behind the fence.
Celeste hauled herself out of the chair, filthy, dripping, and humiliated. Her face flushed red with fury, but as she wiped gravy from her cheek, her expression suddenly changed. A strange, twisted confidence washed over her features.
She looked straight into Victor's eyes, her voice low and threatening. "Ask why your daughter’s birth records were sealed."
Victor’s expression hardens instantly. Ellie clutched the back of his tuxedo jacket, looking up at him with wide, frightened eyes.
Victor stepped closer, his voice ice-cold. "Who sealed them?"
May you like
Celeste slowly smiled.
Before she could open her mouth, Victor’s encrypted smartphone buzzed in his inner pocket. He pulled it out. On the glass screen was an unlisted notification containing a photograph of a sealed medical file stamped with the official insignia of the New York Family Commission.
