Chapter 9 - The midnight arrival
The antique grandfather clock in the corner of the study ticked loudly. It was eleven-fifty at night. Ten minutes until midnight. Ten minutes until day thirty officially began and absolute control of the Moretti empire transferred out of Nicholas's hands forever.
Nicholas stood firmly by the desk, his gray eyes fixed on the heavy oak doors. He had unbuttoned his suit jacket, his stance wide and ready for a fight. Marco stood beside him, a heavy sidearm resting securely in his grip, his eyes scanning the shadows of the room. Maria sat huddled on the sofa, clutching a sleeping Lucy tightly against her chest.
Suddenly, a loud commotion echoed from the hallway. Footsteps rushed toward the study, followed by a brief, violent struggle. The heavy doors were violently shoved open.
Two of Marco's loyal guards stood in the doorway, gripping Vivienne by the arms. They dragged her into the room and threw her roughly onto the floor. Her elegant red satin gown was torn at the hem, and her carefully styled blonde hair was completely unraveled. She looked terrified, her fair rosy skin practically translucent with fear.
"I tried to tell you!" Vivienne cried out, scrambling backward until her back hit the bookshelf. She looked up at Nicholas with wild, panicked eyes. "I wasn't trying to steal your fortune, Nicholas! I was trying to save you!"
Nicholas stepped toward her, his presence utterly dominant. "You let her into my house."
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"She threatened me!" Vivienne sobbed, tears ruining her polished makeup. "She cornered me weeks ago. She told me if I didn't help her stay hidden, she would kill me. But I realized what she was doing. I realized the trust clause was about to activate. If I got the child out of the house today, the streak would break. The empire would stay yours! I was trying to protect you from her!"
Before Nicholas could respond, the heavy study doors quietly swung shut on their own, locking with a definitive, chilling click.
