Chapter 1 - The Child and the Mop
The grand luxury foyer of Dante Moretti’s American mansion was an architectural masterpiece. Polished marble floors reflected the warm light of massive crystal chandeliers, and opulent gold accents lined the towering walls. It was a fortress designed to intimidate everyone who crossed the threshold.
But the tiny intruder standing in the center of the foyer was entirely unfazed.
Sophie, a six-year-old Caucasian girl, stood barefoot on the cold marble. She had bright blonde hair tied back in a floral headscarf, wearing a worn orange dress and an oversized, stained beige apron. She was clutching a heavy industrial mop that was twice her height.
Standing right in front of her was Dante.
In his late thirties, Dante was an incredibly handsome man with dark, swept-back hair and a sharp jawline. He wore a tailored navy blue suit with an unbuttoned white shirt, exposing the dark, intricate tattoos creeping up his neck. He was the most feared syndicate boss in the city, a man who rarely spoke twice.
Dante slowly crouched down, his expensive suit pants pulling tight over his knees, bringing himself right to eye level with the little girl.
"Sir, can you hire me?" Sophie asked. Her voice was brave, clear, and completely devoid of the terror grown men usually felt when speaking to Dante.
Dante remained perfectly still. He studied the tiny child with cold, calculating eyes.
"Hire you to do what?" Dante asked, his deep voice low and steady.
Sophie gripped the heavy mop handle tighter, her tiny knuckles turning white as she tried to hide her nervous trembling.
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"Anything," Sophie pleaded earnestly. "I can sweep."
👉 What dark reason is driving a six-year-old to beg a mafia boss for work?
