Chapter 1 - The Hallway of Judgment
The heavy oak doors of the Duca estate slammed open.
The loud noise echoed violently through the dead silence of the grand foyer.
Lorenzo walked inside with the little girl still resting peacefully against his broad shoulder.
She was so exhausted from her tears that she had already fallen asleep against his expensive coat.
Pino marched perfectly in sync with Lorenzo's long strides.
The giant black Doberman scanned the room with dangerous eyes, daring anyone to make a sudden move.
In the center of the marble floor, the entire household staff stood in a tight, panicked circle.
A young woman with messy brown hair and tear-stained cheeks was kneeling on the cold stone ground.
This was Maria, the beautiful but terrified mother of the little girl in his arms.
Standing over her was Ranata, the senior housekeeper.
Ranata looked incredibly proud and arrogant as she held the shattered pieces of a golden clock.
"Don Lorenzo," Ranata said quickly, trying to sound like a loyal servant protecting his home.
"This new maid is a filthy thief and a clumsy fool."
"I caught her trying to hide your grandfather's broken clock in the bottom of her locker."
"I was just about to have the guards throw her out onto the street where she belongs."
Lorenzo did not say a single word in response.
He simply stood there, gently petting the back of the sleeping child's head.
The silence in the grand room became absolutely terrifying.
He finally stopped walking and looked directly into Ranata's sweating face.
"My dog has never liked you, Ranata," Lorenzo whispered.
May you like
Pino let out a low, rumbling growl that made the older woman take a sudden step back.
"And now I know exactly why," Lorenzo added coldly.
