Chapter 7 - The Patriarch's Order
By three o'clock that afternoon, the atmosphere around the Moretti estate had transformed completely.
Where fear and quiet whispers had once filled the service halls, there was now an unmistakable air of calm stability. The domestic staff moved with lighter steps, knowing that the corrupt management of the past three years had been swept away in a single night.
In the grand main library, Dominic sat behind his heavy walnut desk.
The room was vast, lined with thousands of leather-bound volumes, featuring a massive marble fireplace where a bright oak fire crackled warmly against the cool afternoon draft.
Sitting on the leather sofa across from the desk was Thomas, the senior locksmith, along with two senior contractors from the city.
“Mr. Moretti,” Thomas said, opening a blue-print diagram across the coffee table. “We’ve audited every lock, access panel, and vault door across all twenty-four structures on the estate property. Every electronic keypad has been recoded, and the master keys have been re-milled.”
He set a heavy steel box on the table, containing twelve newly cut brass master keys stamped with a new security symbol.
Dominic leaned forward, reviewing the blueprints with a sharp, discerning eye.
“And the subterranean access lines?” Dominic asked.
“Completely isolated, sir,” the head contractor answered promptly. “The old tunnel leading from the kennel basement to the outer perimeter wall—the one Victor Hale used to bypass security—has been backfilled with eighty tons of solid concrete. Nothing short of a military mining rig can penetrate it now.”
“Good,” Dominic said smoothly. He signed the approval paperwork and pushed it across the desk. “See Thomas for your final payment. You gentlemen are dismissed.”
As the contractors gathered their plans and exited the library, Julian Vance stepped through the heavy double oak doors.
He carried a thick leather portfolio under his arm.
“Boss,” Julian said, stepping up to the desk. “The internal audit of the bank’s executive accounts is complete. Anthony’s embezzlement reached further than we initially thought.”
Dominic took a sip of dark espresso from a small porcelain cup. “How much?”
“Fourteen million over four years,” Julian reported calmly. “He was funneling funds into offshore accounts in Zurich and Grand Cayman, using shell companies registered under his wife’s maiden name.”
Dominic didn't flinch. “Have the legal team seize those accounts immediately. Transfer ten percent of the recovered funds directly into an independent educational trust fund for Clara.”
Julian paused, a hint of deep respect warming his eyes. “A million and a half for the maid’s daughter, Boss?”
“That child saved this family from a federal takedown, Julian,” Dominic said quietly, looking toward the large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the rear gardens. “If she hadn't noticed Bruno’s empty bowl, Anthony’s planted evidence would have sat in that storage room until the federal agents executed their warrant next month. Her curiosity bought us our freedom. A million and a half is a small token of gratitude.”
Julian bowed his head slightly. “Understood, sir. I’ll have the trust documents drafted by five o'clock.”
“How is Anthony handling his new accommodations?” Dominic asked, his tone dropping an octave.
“He’s sitting in a secure holding suite at our facility in Newark,” Julian said. “He’s signed every waiver, every asset transfer, and every confession we put in front of him. He knows his life depends on his absolute compliance.”
“Keep him there until the grand jury process clears,” Dominic commanded coldly. “Then send him to our estate in Sicily. He will live out the rest of his days under permanent house arrest, far away from Manhattan.”
Julian nodded. “Understood, Boss.”
As Julian turned to leave, the double doors of the library creaked open three inches.
A small, rounded face peered into the room.
Clara was standing in the doorway, holding a fresh green apple in her hand, her bright brown eyes sweeping across the massive room with awe.
May you like
Dominic set his espresso cup down, his harsh expression instantly softening.
“Come in, Clara,” Dominic said gently.
