CHAPTER 3
710 Words
The Romano Heir
Matteo had spent his entire life being told that Morettis were dangerous.
His father had made sure of it.
The Romano family and the Moretti family had been enemies for as long as Matteo could remember.
But there had always been something strange about the story.
Nobody could explain how the feud had started.
They simply said it had always existed.
Now Matteo knew better.
He returned to the Romano estate before sunrise.
His father was waiting in the library.
"You went to the Moretti house."
It wasn't a question.
Matteo removed his coat.
"Yes."
Vittorio Romano looked up from his desk.
"Why?"
"Because Alessandro left evidence."
Silence.
Matteo watched his father carefully.
"Who is Adrian Vale?"
Vittorio's face changed.
Only slightly.
But Matteo noticed.
"Where did you hear that name?"
"I saw a photograph."
"Where?"
"With Lia."
Vittorio stood.
"Stay away from her."
"Why?"
"Because she is a Moretti."
"That isn't a reason."
"It is enough of one."
"No."
Matteo stepped closer.
"I've spent my whole life hearing that our families hate each other. I want to know why."
Vittorio's voice became quiet.
"You don't want to know."
"Try me."
His father looked away.
"Adrian Vale was involved with both families years ago."
"How?"
"He built an organization that manipulated powerful people."
"The Vale Circle."
Vittorio nodded.
Matteo stared at him.
"Did Alessandro discover it?"
"Yes."
"And you?"
"I discovered it too late."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was trying to keep you alive."
Matteo's jaw tightened.
"Is that what you told Alessandro?"
Vittorio didn't respond.
Matteo walked away.
Behind him, his father said quietly:
"Matteo."
He stopped.
"If you continue searching, Adrian will find you."
Matteo turned.
"Then let him."
He left.
Later that evening, Matteo returned to the Moretti estate.
Lia was waiting outside.
"You came back."
"I told you I would help."
"You didn't actually say that."
"I'm saying it now."
She crossed her arms.
"Why?"
"Because our fathers were working together."
Lia stared at him.
"My father trusted yours?"
"Apparently."
"Then why did they pretend to hate each other?"
"Because Adrian Vale was watching."
Lia looked toward the mansion.
"Come inside."
They entered the study.
The black box sat on the desk.
Lia opened it.
There was a tiny key inside.
Neither of them had noticed it before.
Matteo picked it up.
"What does this open?"
Lia looked around the room.
"I don't know."
Then she remembered something.
Her father's old desk had a hidden compartment.
Together they searched.
Behind a loose panel beneath the desk, they found a small metal lock.
The key fit.
Click.
A compartment opened.
Inside was a newspaper clipping.
The headline read:
ADRIAN VALE SURVIVES DEVASTATING FIRE
Beneath it was a photograph.
Adrian Vale.
Alive.
Matteo stared at it.
"He's been hiding for fifteen years."
Lia whispered:
"Why would my father leave this for me?"
Matteo looked at her.
"Because he knew you would eventually have to finish what he started."
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