Everyone watched Victoria raise her hand against a helpless elderly woman, but only one waitress dared to stop her—and seconds later, Chicago’s most powerful billionaire walked straight toward them.

Back at Moretti Tower, Emma looked up from the contract with tears shining in her eyes.

"I accept," she said, her voice steady and clear. "I accept, Mr. Moretti. And I promise you, I will protect Mrs. Moretti with everything I have."

Isabella beamed, clapping her hands together with childlike delight. "Wonderful! Simply wonderful. The first thing we are going to do, Emma, is get you out of that gloomy apartment and into the guest estate in Lincoln Park."

"Mrs. Moretti, that’s too much—"

"Nonsense," Isabella interrupted with a playful wag of her finger. "A young girl carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders needs a proper home. And I heard from Julian that you have a younger brother. Liam, isn't that right?"

Emma gasped softly, looking toward Vincent. "How do you know about Liam?"

"When someone enters my inner circle, Miss Carter," Vincent said calmly, taking a sip of black coffee, "I make it my business to know everything about them. I know Liam has been battling severe asthma. I have already contacted Dr. Harrison, the top pediatric pulmonologist at Northwestern Memorial. Liam will have an appointment with him tomorrow morning."

Emma sat frozen. For four long years, she had fought tooth and nail against eviction notices, collection agencies, and endless pharmacy bills, constantly living in fear of the day she wouldn't have enough money to refill Liam’s prescription. And within ten minutes, Vincent Moretti had erased every nightmare that had haunted her sleep.

"Thank you," Emma choked out, pressing a hand to her mouth as tears finally escaped down her cheeks. "You don't know what this means to us. Thank you."

Vincent watched her quietly. Beneath his impenetrable exterior, something shifted. He was accustomed to people looking at him with greed, fear, or sycophantic flattery. But in Emma’s eyes, there was only pure, unadulterated gratitude.

"You earned this, Emma," Vincent said softly.