Chapter 40 - The Echo of a Threat
The morning mist was still clinging to the wrought-iron gates of the Moretti estate when security supervisor Victor Hale approached the main house with a measured, serious stride. I was sitting in the sunlit breakfast nook with four-year-old Leo, helping him construct a remarkably unstable tower out of wooden building blocks, while Dominic read the morning financial briefs across the table.
Victor knocked once on the open French doors before stepping inside. "Mr. Moretti, Mrs. Moretti. Apologies for the early interruption."
Dominic lowered his tablet, his eyes narrowing slightly at Victor’s formal posture. "What is it, Victor?"
"We received notification from the federal parole board," Victor stated plainly. "Derek Montgomery’s legal counsel filed a preliminary, desperate petition attempting to challenge his previous restriction orders, trying to establish communication channels under the guise of financial hardship."
The room seemed to drop ten degrees. Leo continued playing with his blocks, completely oblivious to the name that had once haunted our household. Dominic stood up slowly from the table, his presence filling the room with an immediate, predatory stillness.
"File an emergency counter-motion with Maren Ellis immediately," Dominic commanded, his voice cold as ice. "Under no circumstances will a convicted white-collar felon come within a mile of my family."
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"Already anticipated, sir," Victor nodded firmly. "Maren has prepared an ironclad injunction. Furthermore, the psychological evaluation mandates that any contact would cause severe emotional distress to the child."
I placed my hand gently on Dominic’s forearm, feeling the coiled tension in his muscles. I took a deep, steady breath, looking up into his hardened ice-blue eyes. "Let him file his petitions, Victor," I said, my voice remarkably calm and steady. "A man who spent his life building houses of cards has no foundation to stand on in a court of law. We won't let him disrupt our peace."
