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**Chapter 19: Shadows of the Estate**
The night had settled heavily over the Moretti estate, and the flickering candlelight gave the old house an almost haunted glow. Matteo sat at the desk, the ledger open before him, each line of his father's handwriting adding to his unease. Elena stood by the window, her gaze lost in the darkness outside.
"E.R., inheritance, unexplained payments," Matteo muttered, flipping through the pages. "None of this makes sense. What kind of business was Father tangled in?"
Elena didn't respond. Her attention was drawn to the faint sound of rustling in the garden below. She leaned closer to the window, straining to see through the shadows, but the darkness swallowed everything beyond the faint glow of the porch lantern.
"Elena," Matteo said, breaking her concentration. "Are you even listening?"
"There's someone outside," Elena said quietly, her eyes never leaving the window.
Matteo immediately closed the ledger and moved to her side. Together, they stared into the garden, their senses heightened by the silence that followed. And then, as if on cue, a figure emerged from the shadows—a man, his face obscured by the brim of a hat.
Without thinking, Matteo grabbed the nearest object—a heavy brass candlestick—and headed for the door.
"Wait," Elena whispered urgently, grabbing his arm. "What if it's just Marco? Or someone from the village?"
"Then they'll explain what they're doing creeping around our garden at this hour," Matteo replied, his determination overriding her caution.
They stepped into the cool night air, the rustling leaves and chirping crickets amplifying the tension. The figure stood by the old fountain, his back to them, seemingly unaware of their presence.
"Who's there?" Matteo called out, his voice firm and commanding.
The man turned slowly, his face illuminated by the faint moonlight. He was older, with weathered features and a knowing smile that sent a shiver down Elena's spine.
"I mean no harm," the man said, his voice calm and measured. "My name is Pietro. I was a friend of your father's."
Matteo lowered the candlestick slightly but didn't let his guard down. "Why are you here?" he demanded.
Pietro's smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet determination. "I've come to warn you," he said. "Your father's legacy is more dangerous than you realize. The vineyard, the ledger, Emilia—they're all pieces of a puzzle that could destroy you if you're not careful."
Elena felt her heart race as Pietro's words sank in. "What do you mean?" she asked. "What kind of danger are we in?"
Pietro hesitated, his gaze shifting between the two of them. "It's not my story to tell," he said finally. "But if you want answers, start with the locket. It holds more than memories—it holds the key to everything."
Before they could press him for more information, Pietro turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving them with more questions than answers.
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