Back in the grand drawing room of the Selvaggio villa, a heavy silence descended as Gianluca, Nicolo, and Achille fixed their gazes upon Signore Moretti, their expectant silence a tangible pressure.
The elder man, his eyes distant, toyed with his teacup, a facade of composure masking the turmoil within. ' This insolent child daring to claim me as her father! A preposterous accusation,' he mused inwardly, his mind racing for a plausible denial. A wry chuckle escaped his lips, a subtle tremor betraying his feigned amusement. The sound grew, morphing into hearty laughter, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere. Achille and Nicolo exchanged bewildered glances, their brows furrowed in concern.
With a playful swat to Achille's shoulder, Signore Moretti managed to curtail his mirth. "Cristiano and Ariana are my only children," he declared, his voice firm. "Why would your mistress fabricate such a scandalous lie?" Achille's jaw clenched, his face flushing with anger.
