Chapter 3: An Offer Nobody Expected
Chapter 3: An Offer Nobody Expected
Two days later, Emma was called into her manager's office.
She expected termination.
Instead, she found Vincent Moretti waiting inside.
The sight nearly stopped her heart.
The billionaire stood near the window overlooking downtown Chicago.
Calm.
Composed.
Dangerously unreadable.
Her manager quickly excused himself.
Leaving them alone.
"I don't understand," Emma said.
Vincent nodded.
"Most people don't."
He handed her a folder.
Inside were medical reports.
Her father's medical reports.
Emma's hands trembled.
"How did you get these?"
"I asked."
The answer wasn't comforting.
Vincent sat down.
"My mother spent years surrounded by people who cared more about my name than her wellbeing."
His gaze remained steady.
"You were the first stranger in a long time who helped her without expecting anything in return."
Emma didn't know what to say.
"So what does that mean?"
"It means I'd like to help."
He pushed another document toward her.
A contract.
A salary larger than she had earned in the last three years combined.
The position was simple.
Personal assistant and companion to Isabella Moretti.
Emma stared at the number.
It felt unreal.
"There has to be a catch."
Vincent almost smiled.
"There isn't."
But he hesitated.
For the first time.
"There is one thing."
Emma looked up.
"My family attracts enemies."
The room grew quiet.
"And sometimes helping us comes with consequences."
Emma should have walked away.
Any sensible person would have.
But then she thought of her father.
The hospital bed.
The unpaid bills.
The fear she carried every day.
And she signed.
Neither of them realized someone was watching.
May you like
Someone who blamed the Moretti family for everything.
And who had just chosen Emma Carter as the perfect target.
