Chapter 5 - The Architect of VengeanceDownstairs in his private study, Luca Moretti stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling glass wall, swirling a glass of dark amber whiskey. Below him, the city lights twinkled like a sea of diamonds, but his mind was far away, locked in the dark memories of the past.
The heavy oak door creaked open, and a rugged man in a tactical vest stepped inside, closing it securely behind him.
"Boss," the man reported crisply. "Arthur Sterling is furious. He’s already mobilized his corporate legal team and contacted private enforcers. He's claiming the child was kidnapped and that the hospital falsified records under duress."
Luca took a slow sip of his drink, his expression impassive. "Let him try. The hospital records are legally airtight. My name is on that birth certificate now, and under federal law, contesting it will take months of court battles he cannot afford to start while his corporate audits are ongoing."
The subordinate grinned grimly. "Are we moving forward with Phase Two, then? The financial exposure on Sterling Enterprises?"
"Not yet," Luca said, his voice dropping an octave, filled with chilling precision. "Arthur wants to play dirty? Let him exhaust his resources chasing shadows. I want him desperate. I want him to feel the exact same terror and helplessness that Elena felt when he tried to tear her child from her arms."
"Understood, Boss. What about Elena? She’s still asking questions about how we were there."
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Luca turned away from the glass window, setting his tumbler down on the heavy mahogany desk. A soft, reminiscent shadow crossed his usually unyielding face. "She doesn't remember the charity gala three years ago. She doesn't remember the young man she saved from being crushed by a falling stage light when everyone else walked away. But I remember."
Luca clenched his fist, his amber eyes catching the light. "Arthur stole her life, her youth, and nearly her child. I am simply collecting the debt—with interest."
