Chapter 4 - The Evaluation
At precisely eleven o'clock, two black sedans pulled up the driveway. Dr. Ronald Burke, a sharp, patronizing man in a tweed blazer, stepped out, flanked by two representatives from Child Protective Services and Matteo Moretti—Lorenzo’s bitterest rival in the New York underworld.
Lorenzo met them in the marble entrance hall, his security team standing like statues behind him.
"Matteo," Lorenzo said, his voice a low, terrifying vibration. "You set foot on my property again, and the court order won't save you."
"I'm just here as a concerned family member, Lorenzo," Matteo sneered, adjusting his sunglasses. "We all know you've lost your mind since Juliana died. The girl belongs with people who can provide a stable, normal home."
"Let's see the child," Dr. Burke interrupted, holding up his clipboard with an air of clinical superiority.
Emma led the delegation up to Sophia’s room. The air in the bedroom was warm, smelling of lavender and chamomile. Sophia sat in her oversized chair, her pale skin contrasting sharply with a bright yellow blanket Emma had chosen for her.
Dr. Burke stepped forward, kneeling in front of the child. "Hello, Sophia. My name is Dr. Burke. Can you tell me how you’re feeling today?"
Sophia remained perfectly still, her big brown eyes staring right through him.
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"As expected," Dr. Burke sighed, writing a note on his clipboard. "Total emotional withdrawal. Signs of severe environmental trauma. Mr. Pellegrini, your daughter is completely non-verbal. This is a clear indicator of psychological neglect."
"She is not non-verbal," Emma said, stepping between Dr. Burke and the child. "She is selective. And she doesn't speak to people who look at her like a case study."
