The next morning, Maria went to the headquarters and found everyone waiting for her.
Leonardo asked eagerly: "What happened to Adriano? Did the plan really work?"
Maria replied: "You can't imagine what happened. The plan worked perfectly Adriano fell right into the trap. But the most shocking part was my father's reaction..."
She took a deep breath and continued: "He kicked Adriano out of the palace completely!"
Everyone was stunned. Matteo said: "How did that happen? Wasn't Adriano Francesco Altieri's right-hand man just recently?"
Maria responded: "I thought the same. It's clear my father only did it because Adriano caused him to lose the business deal he wanted. You were right about him, Matteo my father only cares about himself, even if it means hurting others."
Marco, worried, said: "You need to be careful, Maria. Adriano will definitely try to get revenge on your father and you'll most likely be the target."
Matteo quickly replied: "That bastard won't dare touch Maria. And if he does, I'll end him."
Maria gave a soft smile and said: "Would you really risk yourself for me, Matteo?"
Matteo smiled but said nothing. Then he suddenly walked out of the headquarters.
Maria followed him and asked: "What's wrong, Matteo? Why did you leave like that?"
Matteo, uneasy, replied: "Nothing... I'm just heading home."
Maria said: "Why don't I walk with you? I haven't seen your house yet."
He agreed, and they walked together, chatting along the way. When they arrived, they climbed to Matteo's room.
Maria was shocked by what she saw it was a tiny, messy room with clothes scattered everywhere. She felt deep sympathy for Matteo and realized how much injustice her father had inflicted on the island's people.
She said: "I have an offer for you, and I hope you won't say no. How would you like to live in a better house? Honestly, it makes me sad to know I can help someone and not do it."
Matteo replied: "Honestly, if someone else offered this, I would've refused. But I won't say no to you. I really do struggle living in this room every day I want to leave it behind."
Maria smiled: "I own a small house in the noble district. It has two large rooms separated by a small hall, and there's a large basement beneath it. I stay there when I need to get away from the palace. I'll probably go there a lot in the coming days."
Matteo said: "Alright, I'll talk to the room's owner, gather my things, and come tomorrow."
Maria interrupted: "No you're coming now. Go tell the owner you're leaving!"
Matteo was stunned by her response, but he did as she asked. He informed the landlord and went with Maria to her house.
When they arrived, Matteo was amazed by its beauty. He moved his things into the new room, and Maria told him: "I'll head back to the palace now. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Maria returned to the palace and searched for her father. She found him in his room and entered with a hidden anger.
She said: "Is that the man you wanted me to marry? Did you see what he did? Adriano only thinks about himself."
Before Francesco could respond, she added: "I think there's someone else who's far more worthy than him."
Then she walked out, leaving Francesco puzzled. Who did she mean? Why was she so different lately? She wasn't the same person she was before her kidnapping. Francesco thought about it for a long time, then went to bed.
The next day, Leonardo woke up unusually early he wanted to visit the headquarters before going to the shop.
He went through his usual morning routine breakfast, checking the mail, changing clothes then left for the headquarters.
Unbeknownst to him, someone else had woken even earlier to watch him: Antonio. He had noticed a major change in Leonardo recently.
In a low voice, he muttered: "That's enough, Leonardo. I must find out what you're hiding from me!"
He summoned one of his men and ordered him to follow Leonardo throughout the day, from the moment he left the palace until he returned, and report back with everything.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious home in the noble district, Adriano woke from a nightmare, gasping. Once he caught his breath, he slammed the bed and shouted: "He kicked me out over a deal?! And that traitor Maria—she looked at me with pure scorn, as if I were her enemy. I loved her deeply, and she betrayed me! But I won't stay silent I'll take revenge on all of them. They'll see who Adriano truly is!"
He summoned one of his men and said: "Go now and follow Maria. I want to know everything she does make sure no one notices you."
As for Maria, she went to meet Matteo, who was waiting for her. They left the house together, heading to the headquarters unaware that Adriano's spy was watching them from a distance.
All the heroes arrived at the headquarters and began to plan their next move...
To be continued...