CHAPTER 2: A DEBT RECORDED
Victoria's confidence vanished instantly.
"Mr. Moretti..." she stammered.
Vincent ignored her.
His eyes remained fixed on Emma.
For several unbearable seconds.
Then he walked directly toward his mother.
"Are you hurt?"
Madam Isabella smiled softly.
"No."
Her wrinkled hand reached toward Emma.
"This young woman protected me."
The room collectively froze.
Protected.
The word carried enormous weight.
Because everyone present knew one thing:
Vincent Moretti loved his mother more than his own life.
A dangerous silence settled over the ballroom.
Victoria suddenly understood her mistake.
"Mr. Moretti, this is all a misunderstanding—"
"It isn't."
Vincent's voice was calm.
That made it far more frightening.
"You attempted to strike my mother."
Victoria's face turned white.
"I didn't know who she was."
Vincent nodded.
"Exactly."
The response confused everyone.
Then he continued.
"You showed your true character when you believed she was powerless."
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Victoria looked as though she might collapse.
Vincent crouched beside Emma.
For the first time, she noticed tiny scars across his hands.
The hands of a man who had survived countless battles.
"You lost your job because of my family."
Emma blinked.
"I'll find another one."
The answer surprised him.
No begging.
No demands.
No attempt to exploit the situation.
Just dignity.
Vincent studied her carefully.
Then he stood.
"From this moment forward, Emma Carter is under my protection."
Gasps filled the ballroom.
The declaration carried enormous meaning.
Every business leader there understood it.
Every politician understood it.
Every criminal certainly understood it.
May you like
Anyone who harmed Emma Carter would be challenging Vincent Moretti himself.
And that was something very few people survived.
