Chapter 4 - The Lockdown in the Wing
The atmosphere in the hospital wing transformed in a single heartbeat from quiet tension to absolute, suffocating dread.
Marco Russo moved instantly upon seeing his boss’s posture shift. With a subtle flick of his wrist, Marco signaled two black-suited guards stationed near the stairwell. Before Derek could even register what was happening, heavy electronic doors slammed shut at both ends of the hallway, sealing the floor.
"What is the meaning of this?" Derek demanded, his voice cracking with artificial bravado as Marco stepped into his path. "Do you know who I am? I’m Derek Morrison! I own three brokerage firms in—"
"Shut your mouth," Marco growled, his voice like grinding stones.
Luca stepped away from the counter, his polished black shoes clicking heavily against the tile floor as he walked toward Emma.
"Where did you get that pendant?" Luca asked softly, his tone low but carrying immense weight.
Emma looked down at the silver chain wrapped around her fingers, completely bewildered by the sudden chaos. "It was... it belonged to my mother. She gave it to me on her deathbed three years ago. She told me to keep it near my baby whenever I had one. I don't know what it means."
Luca’s eyes softened as he looked at Emma’s genuine, confused face. "Your mother gave this to you?"
"Yes," Emma whispered.
Luca slowly turned around and walked toward Brittany, who was shrinking back against the wall behind Derek.
"Brittany Hale," Luca said, his voice dropping to a terrifying register. "You recognized this mark the moment it fell from the blanket. Why?"
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Brittany swallowed hard, her chest heaving beneath her cream pantsuit. "I... I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Moretti! It's just a piece of cheap jewelry!"
"My family's crest hasn't been produced since 1984," Luca replied, stepping within inches of her. "And the only person who possessed the female lineage pendant was my father's younger sister, who vanished from New York thirty years ago."
