Chapter 4 - Unearthing the Truth
Mia Carter lay collapsed against the inner wall of the freezing holding cell, shivering violently, her lips blue and her body emaciated from three days without food or water. As the bright beam of Dante's flashlight hit her face, she flinched, shielding her eyes with a bruised, trembling hand.
Dante dropped beside her instantly, stripping off his expensive coat to wrap around her trembling frame. For all his ruthlessness in the criminal underworld, witnessing the quiet, hardworking woman who cared for his home and daughter treated like an animal broke something foundational inside him.
“Mr... Moretti,” Mia rasped, her voice barely a whisper. “She... she locked me in. I saw something I shouldn't have.”
May you like
Gently lifting her into his arms, Dante carried her out of the suffocating vault and straight to the estate’s private medical suite, rousing the sleeping physician with absolute, terrifying authority. As IV fluids were administered and color slowly returned to Mia's cheeks, she pieced together the horrifying narrative.
Three nights ago, Mia had gone down to retrieve a specific vintage for Dante's return. Instead, she accidentally walked in on Victoria and Victor Romano—Dante's trusted brother-in-arms—embroiled in a fierce, conspiratorial argument over financial documents and ledger transfers bleeding the Moretti empire dry. Realizing Mia had overheard their treasonous plot to usurp Dante’s throne and liquidate his assets, Victoria had ambushed her, dragging her down into the subterranean vault while Victor watched and gave the cold order to seal her away until she starved.
