"I was walking in the back garden with Maria when suddenly some armed men appeared and attacked me. They hit me on the head until I fainted, then kidnapped Maria and fled quickly..."
Leonardo spoke, sadness etched across his face. Adriano asked nervously: "Were you able to see any distinguishing mark on those men?"
"Yes" Leonardo replied, and he said: "I saw a mark on their clothes a white arrow symbol. I think I've seen it before but can't remember where. They were all wearing black outfits, and they seemed very convinced. That's all I know."
Francesco, visibly worried, asked: "So what do we do now? Maria has been kidnapped."
"Don't worry, uncle" Adriano said quickly, and he added: "I will bring her back soon."
The discussion ended, and the Gerco family returned to their own palace. Antonio sat on the sofa while Leonardo headed to his room. But as he was about to enter, he heard his father calling him.
"What is it, father?" Leonardo answered.
Antonio said: "I want to talk to you."
Leonardo sat down and said: "If you're going to ask about Maria's kidnapping, know that I already told you everything I know at the Altieri palace."
Antonio replied calmly: "But I don't want to talk about Maria's kidnapping…"
"So what do you want?" Leonardo straightened up.
Antonio asked, "Where have you been going lately? What new thing has come into your life to change you like this?"
Leonardo countered with a question: "How have I changed? I haven't changed at all!"
"No, you have changed, Leonardo." Antonio said firmly, then he continued: "And I need to know what changed you."
Leonardo stood up and said: "I have nothing to tell you, father. With your permission, I'm going to sleep now because I have to wake up early and go to the shop."
"But you won't be going to the shop tomorrow." Antonio said, and he added: "That will continue until you recover from your injury."
Leonardo said: "How is that? I will go wherever I want."
"I'm not forbidding you to go wherever you want." Antonio replied, and he said: "but I am forbidding you from leaving the house for a few days until you recover."
Leonardo tried to argue but Antonio remained firm.
Meanwhile, Matteo and Marco arrived at Giovanni's abandoned house. Matteo carried the crate inside, and when he opened it, Maria jumped out and tried to escape. Matteo quickly caught her and tied her hands and feet.
Maria screamed and tried to call for help, but it was useless no one would hear her in that deserted place. Marco said: "I'll go to the headquarters and tell my father what we've done. You stay here with Maria."
Marco left, leaving Matteo alone with Maria. Matteo spoke calmly to her not harshly like others might which surprised Maria. He told her his life story, about the fire and his father's death because of her father, and then about the gang.
Maria listened silently, almost believing him because she was already noticing signs daily from her father's behavior towards the poor and the hatred people held for him. Matteo even showed her the contract her father Francesco had written to Antonio, ordering the killing of Lorenzo.
Maria thought for a moment, then quietly asked: "Why did you kidnap me? Do you want to use me to take revenge on my father?"
Matteo sat back and answered: "No, never. We kidnapped you to lure Adriano, Francesco Altieri's right hand, and then we will kill him immediately."
Maria felt some relief when she learned they intended to kill Adriano and that she would finally be rid of him. Matteo continued calmly: "We won't hurt you and don't want to, but we're not that kind either. If you resist us, we won't hesitate to kill you."
Maria was frightened by the threat, so Matteo reassured her: "Don't worry, no one will hurt you. It's clear you're helpless, not evil like your father."
Breaking her silence, Maria said: "Your words convince me, and I want to tell you something important about myself."
She added: "Adriano wants to marry me, but I hate him and can't stand him. I don't want to marry him, but my parents are pressuring me to agree. I don't know what to do. If you really want to get rid of Adriano, I will help you."
Matteo was very surprised: "Really? You truly hate him? Well, our goal is now shared. We'll get rid of Adriano and save you from him."
Maria was very happy to hear this, then pleaded for a place to sleep since it was her bedtime. Matteo took her into a small, well-locked room in the house, then firmly shut the door. Maria begged him to untie her hands and feet, and after much pleading, he agreed. Maria then slept, while Matteo sat on the floor watching over her until sleep overcame him.
To be continued...