Chapter 10 - THE MAID WHO REFUSED TO BE OWNED
“You're leaving?”
Marco looked at Sofia as though he had misheard.
They were standing beside the restored staircase.
Golden light spilled across the marble floor, touching the polished railing that had nearly become the scene of his death.
Sofia nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
“Because of what happened here?”
“Partly.”
Marco looked down.
“I understand.”
But Sofia wasn't finished.
“For years, I've wanted to study workplace safety. I started taking classes before my mother needed help after her surgery.”
Marco listened.
“I took this job because it paid enough to keep our bills covered. I told myself I'd go back to school when things got easier.”
She gave a small, sad smile.
“Things never got easier.”
Marco glanced toward her injured wrist.
“And now?”
“Now I know what happens when nobody listens to ordinary employees. I don't want to spend the rest of my life waiting for someone important to take me seriously.”
Marco was silent.
He had expected gratitude.
Perhaps even loyalty.
But Sofia wasn't asking to become part of his family.
She was asking for the right to build her own future.
“Where would you study?” he asked.
“There's a professional safety program in Manhattan. I've already looked at the requirements.”
“Do you have the money?”
“Not all of it.”
“Then let me—”
“No.”
The word surprised him.
Sofia immediately softened her voice.
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound disrespectful.”
“You didn't.”
She looked directly at him.
“I appreciate what you're trying to do. But I don't want my future to depend on another powerful person deciding I'm worth helping.”
Marco understood.
He had spent years giving people expensive gifts instead of asking what they actually needed.
“Then what would help?” he asked.
“A reference. An honest one.”
He nodded.
“You'll have it.”
“And time to complete my notice and apply for the program.”
“Of course.”
Sofia smiled.
For the first time, Marco felt that he had offered something valuable without buying anything in return.
Later that afternoon, Dominic arrived at the mansion.
He was carrying a plain cardboard box filled with office records.
No assistants.
No security entourage.
No expensive watch.
He found Celia supervising repairs near the service entrance.
“Mrs. Ward?”
She turned.
“Yes?”
Dominic hesitated.
“I brought the records you requested for the employee committee.”
Celia took the box.
“Thank you.”
He remained standing.
“I'm also arranging to return the executive compensation I received during Marco's recovery. It won't repair everything.”
“No,” Celia said.
He nodded.
“But it's a start.”
She studied him.
For years, she had watched the Bellini cousins grow from boys into powerful men.
She remembered Dominic arriving at the mansion with scraped knees and pockets full of candy.
Now she saw a man finally beginning to understand the consequences of his choices.
“Then keep going,” she said.
Dominic lowered his head.
“I intend to.”
Meanwhile, Marco began reviewing the legitimate operations of Bellini Port Logistics with independent financial specialists.
The investigation into Gabriel had uncovered payments, undisclosed contracts, and obligations that no one could fully explain.
Marco canceled unnecessary security agreements.
He ordered a review of questionable transactions.
And he began separating the company's lawful businesses from the criminal operations that had long surrounded the Bellini name.
It was difficult.
Some associates threatened to leave.
Others warned that honesty would make him vulnerable.
Marco listened.
Then continued.
He had already seen what secrecy and fear could do inside his own home.
That evening, Dr. Price visited for another rehabilitation session.
Marco practiced walking along the upper landing.
The new railing remained firmly in place.
He moved slowly.
Measured each step.
Stopped when the bright light hurt his eye.
For the first time, he didn't treat accepting help as weakness.
Sofia watched quietly from the doorway.
When the session ended, Marco turned toward her.
“How did I do?”
She smiled.
“Better than yesterday.”
“Only better?”
“Don't get arrogant. You still need the railing.”
Marco laughed.
It was a sound Sofia had never heard from him before.
For one brief moment, the mansion felt like a home again.
Then Celia appeared.
Her face was pale.
“Mr. Bellini, there's a problem.”
Marco turned.
“What happened?”
“The payroll office received a notice this afternoon. Because of the financial investigation, several accounts associated with the holding company have been temporarily frozen.”
Marco's smile disappeared.
“Which accounts?”
Celia handed him the notice.
He read the list.
The operating account.
The contracted security payroll.
And the estate's main household payroll account.
Sofia felt her stomach tighten.
“Mrs. Ward, when are the employees supposed to be paid?”
Celia's voice broke.
“Tomorrow.”
Marco looked at the notice again.
The accounts could not be accessed until the appointed financial custodian verified the funds and their sources.
The freeze was intended to prevent further misuse.
But innocent workers would suffer first.
Celia gripped the edge of the table.
“Forty-two employees are waiting for their wages, sir.”
Marco stared at the page.
He had saved his company.
He had exposed the people who betrayed him.
But the damage Gabriel had caused was still spreading.
Sofia stepped forward.
“Mr. Bellini, people have rent due.”
“I know.”
“Some have children.”
“I know.”
Celia looked at him desperately.
“What are we going to tell them tomorrow?”
Marco closed the notice.
May you like
For once, he didn't have an immediate answer.
And Sofia understood that saving a powerful man's life had been easier than saving the ordinary families who depended on him.
