Chapter 2 - The Whispering Corridor
The news of the poison sent a cold, electric shock through the grand corridors of Moretti Manor.
While Dr. Reynolds administered an emergency antidote to stabilize Adrian’s heart, Dante Russo posted six armed bodyguards outside the study doors, placing the entire third floor on immediate lockdown.
In the quiet service hallway adjacent to the private wing, Elena sat on a velvet bench, her trembling hands clutching five-year-old Sophia against her lap. Sophia was contentedly brushing her teddy bear’s fur, completely unfazed by the tension around her. Sitting on the carpet right beside Sophia’s white shoes was Titan. The massive guard dog refused to leave the little girl’s side, resting his heavy chin on her lap whenever anyone approached.
Dante Russo walked down the corridor, his heavy leather shoes clicking against the marble floor. His dark suit was immaculate, but his eyes were sharp, calculating, and suspicious as he stopped before the maid and her child.
"Elena," Dante said, his voice dropping into a quiet, intense murmur. "Where did your daughter learn to handle Titan like that?"
Elena looked up, her dark hair pulled back neatly under her maid headband, her fair rosy skin pale with lingering fear. "She... she just loves animals, Mr. Russo. We live in the carriage house near the kennels."
"Titan has mauled three intruder mercenaries in the last two years, Elena," Dante countered, his tone hardening as he looked down at Sophia. "He doesn't let anyone touch him except Mr. Moretti. Not even me. Yet tonight, he sat at your daughter's feet like a puppy."
Sophia looked up from her teddy bear, her bright brown eyes clear and perceptive. "Titan likes me because I smell like the man in the picture."
Elena’s face drained of all color. She reached out quickly, smoothing down Sophia's pink floral dress with trembling fingers. "Sophia, sweetie, don't talk nonsense. Go play with your bear."
Dante’s eyes narrowed into razor slits. "What picture, Sophia?"
Before the little girl could answer, the study doors swung open. Dr. Reynolds stepped out into the hallway, wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
"He's awake," Dr. Reynolds announced softly. "The neutralizing compound worked. But he wants to see the child."
Elena gasped, standing up so fast her white apron rustled. "Mr. Moretti wants to see Sophia?"
"He remembers her voice, Elena," the doctor said. "He wants her inside now."
Dante gestured toward the double doors with his hand. "You heard the doctor. Bring her in."
Elena took Sophia’s tiny hand, leading her into the grand study. Titan rose smoothly from the floor, falling into step right beside Sophia like a hulking shadow.
Inside the study, Adrian Moretti sat upright in his luxury armchair. He had removed his black hat, revealing dark hair brushed back, his sharp jaw covered in dark stubble. His piercing blue-gray eyes were unfocused from the lingering drugs, but his aura remained terrifyingly powerful and commanding.
As the small girl walked toward his desk in her pink dress, holding her teddy bear, Adrian’s gaze locked onto her.
Titan walked up to the side of Adrian's chair, rested his snout on Adrian's knee, then turned around and sat flush against Sophia's legs.
Adrian looked down at his guard dog, then up at five-year-old Sophia.
"You're the maid's daughter," Adrian said, his deep voice gravelly and rough from the poison.
"My name is Sophia," the little girl said softly, holding up her bear. "And this is Barnaby."
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Adrian’s eyes drifted downward to the collar of Sophia's pink floral puff-sleeve dress. Tucked just beneath the fabric of her neckline was a thin silver chain holding an antique silver locket.
Adrian froze. His chest stopped moving. He recognized that silver locket instantly—it was the personal signet locket of his younger brother, Marcus Moretti, who had died five years ago.
