She Walked Into the Mafia Boss’s Room to Clean—Then His Family Walked In While He Was Still in a Towel
Chapter 8
The legal documents made Sofia the unexpected owner of Carlo’s private company.
It was worth nearly half a billion dollars.
She had never owned more than an old car.
Now lawyers were calling her “Ms. Bennett.”
Bankers wanted meetings.
Executives wanted her signature.
People who had ignored her for years suddenly wanted to know her.
It made her uncomfortable.
“I don’t understand these people,” she told Matteo.
“They don’t care about you.”
“I know.”
“They care about what you control.”
She sighed.
“That’s exactly why I don’t want it.”
Matteo looked at her.
“Then give it away.”
“To whom?”
“The employees.”
She stared.
“You can do that?”
“If the legal structure allows it.”
They checked.
It did.
Sofia smiled.
“Then that’s what I’ll do.”
Matteo looked at her with quiet admiration.
“You’re serious.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Most people would keep the money.”
“I watched my mother lose everything protecting people.”
She looked at the files.
“I don’t want her sacrifice to become another fortune.”
He nodded.
“Then we’ll dismantle it.”
Together, they began restructuring the company.
Employees were offered ownership shares.
Illegal accounts were frozen.
The legitimate business operations were separated from criminal assets.
Carlo’s influence began disappearing.
But he wasn’t finished.
One evening, Sofia was walking through the estate garden when she saw Matteo sitting alone.
She approached.
“You’re quiet.”
“I’ve been thinking.”
“About?”
“My father.”
She sat beside him.
“Do you miss him?”
“Yes.”
“Even now?”
Matteo looked at the ground.
“Knowing what he did doesn’t erase everything good.”
Sofia nodded.
“I understand.”
“Do you miss your mother?”
“Every day.”
He looked at her.
“She would have liked you.”
Sofia smiled.
“You don’t know that.”
“She raised you.”
“Exactly.”
He laughed.
She leaned against him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Sofia asked,
“Why did you tell your family I stay?”
Matteo looked at her.
“That night.”
“When they walked in?”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“Because I didn’t want them turning you into gossip.”
“You could have just explained.”
“They wouldn’t have listened.”
“You were protecting me.”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
He didn’t answer.
Sofia moved closer.
“Matteo.”
His eyes met hers.
“Because I care about you.”
Her heart skipped.
“How much?”
“Enough to frighten me.”
They were inches apart.
Then Bianca appeared on the balcony.
“Oh, don’t mind me.”
Sofia jumped.
Matteo closed his eyes.
“Bianca.”
She laughed.
“I’ll go.”
“No.”
She smiled.
“You two continue.”
She disappeared.
Sofia covered her face.
“I hate this family.”
Matteo smiled.
“You’re lying.”
“Maybe.”
He reached for her hand.
She let him.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“Carlo’s men took one of our drivers.”
Sofia stood.
“What?”
“They’re sending a message.”
“What message?”
Matteo looked at her.
“They want the ledger.”
Sofia shook her head.
“No.”
He frowned.
“No?”
“They’ve had enough.”
She held his gaze.
“We’re ending this.”
Matteo nodded.
“Together.”
