By sunrise the next morning, Chicago was in a state of absolute media frenzy.

Front-page headlines across every major newspaper blared: MORETTI FAMILY FEUD: BILLIONAIRE'S MOTHER ACCUSES EX-WIFE OF EXTORTION, alongside photos of me from six years ago juxtaposed with images of Eleanor Moretti.

Reporters had already begun gathering at the end of my Lincoln Park street. But before they could locate my exact address, two unmarked black SUVs pulled into my driveway. Four imposing, professional security guards stepped out, taking positions around my house, while Dominic—Luca’s head of personal security, whom I recognized from my past—knocked on my door.

“Miss Carter,” Dominic said respectfully. “Mr. Moretti requested that we secure your perimeter. No reporter or paparazzi will get within two blocks of your children.”

“Where is Luca?” I asked, holding a mug of untouched coffee.

“He’s at headquarters, Miss Carter. The emergency board meeting was called for 8:00 AM.”

Inside the glass-and-steel skyscraper of Moretti Global in downtown Chicago, a historic war was taking place.

Luca walked into the executive boardroom wearing a charcoal suit, flanked by a team of four criminal defense attorneys and two forensic accountants. Sitting at the far end of the long mahogany table was Eleanor Moretti, flanked by three senior board members who had been loyal to her late husband for decades.

“Luca,” Eleanor said smoothly, offering a cold, disappointed smile. “You shouldn't be making a spectacle of yourself. Sit down so we can discuss how to handle this Nia situation quietly.”

Luca didn't sit. He remained standing at the head of the table, looking down at his mother as if she were a total stranger.

“There is no 'Nia situation', Eleanor,” Luca said, his voice echoing through the silent room. “There is only a criminal investigation into your actions.”

Eleanor’s smile faltered slightly. “Don't be ridiculous. I am your mother. Everything I have ever done was to protect this company and your legacy from a woman who was unworthy of you.”

“You bribed a physician,” Luca stated, placing a heavy stack of legal documents onto the center of the table. “You forged medical records. You lied to your own son for six years, causing me to abandon my own flesh and blood—my twins.”

A sharp gasp echoed across the boardroom. The board members looked at each other in utter disbelief.

“Twins?” one senior director whispered. “Luca has children?”

“He has no proof!” Eleanor snapped, her aristocratic composure finally beginning to crack. “She hid those children for six years! Who knows who fathered them?”

Luca reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a single sheet of paper—the court-certified paternity test results that had been expedited overnight using DNA collected from Eli and Mara’s hairbrushes with my permission.

He slammed the paper down in front of his mother.

“99.99% probability of paternity,” Luca announced, his voice booming across the room. “Eli and Mara are my biological children. They are the legal heirs to the Moretti estate. And you, Eleanor, stripped them of six years with their father because of your monstrous, arrogant pride.”

Eleanor stared at the paternity report. For the first time in her life, color drained completely from her face.

“Furthermore,” Luca continued, turning to face the board members, “the Board of Directors has just been served with an emergency injunction. As Chief Executive Officer and majority shareholder holding 51% of voting stock, I am officially removing Eleanor Moretti from her position as Vice-Chair of the Board, revoking her executive privileges, and cutting off all corporate funding to her foundation effective immediately.”

“You can’t do this!” Eleanor yelled, slamming her hands on the table as she stood up. “I am your mother! I built this company with your father!”

“My father would be disgusted by what you’ve become,” Luca replied coldly. “And as for your criminal liability... State Prosecutors have just issued a warrant for your arrest on charges of medical fraud, forgery, and public defamation.”

As if on cue, the heavy double doors of the boardroom swung open. Two uniformed officers from the Chicago Police Department walked inside, followed by a detective.

“Eleanor Moretti?” the detective asked. “You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit medical fraud and obstruction of justice. Please step forward.”

The board members sat in stunned silence as the police officers stepped up behind Eleanor, pulling her arms behind her back and snapping iron handcuffs over her wrists.

Eleanor looked at Luca, her eyes wide with shock and betrayal. “Luca... please... I did it for you! You were meant for greatness, not for a simple life with a middle-class waitress!”

Luca stared at her, his face devoid of any warmth.

“Nia Carter is ten times the human being you will ever be,” Luca said softly. “Take her away.”