Chapter 15 - THE HEAD OF THE TABLE
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That evening, the grand dining room was prepared not for an underworld summit, but for a celebration of life.
The heavy velvet drapes were pulled wide open, letting the cool autumn breeze sweep away the lingering dust of the past.
Dozens of white roses filled the silver vases along the polished mahogany table, their sweet fragrance filling the room.
The prime rib dinner was served fresh and piping hot on the family’s finest imported gold-rimmed china.
At the very head of the grand table sat Arthur Collins, dressed in a bespoke midnight-blue suit that Luca had tailored for him.
Beside him sat Lily, giggling as Marco personally cut her steak into tiny, bite-sized pieces with a gentle smile.
Luca sat to Arthur’s right, looking more at peace than anyone had ever seen him.
I stepped into the dining room carrying a silver tray with crystal glasses of vintage champagne and sparkling apple cider.
As I placed a glass before Arthur, Luca cleared his throat and stood up from his seat.
The room immediately went quiet, all eyes turning toward the head of the Moretti syndicate.
“Before we raise our glasses tonight, there is one more piece of business that must be settled,” Luca said firmly.
He looked directly across the table at me, his sharp gaze softening with profound respect.
“Claire Bennett, step forward, please.”
My cheeks flushed with heat as my hands tightened nervously around the empty silver tray.
“Yes, Mr. Moretti?” I answered softly, wondering if I had somehow crossed an unseen boundary.
Luca pulled a small velvet box and a signed executive contract from his inner breast pocket.
“Last night, when a gun was drawn and traitors were screaming in my father’s office, you did not run away,” Luca said.
“You put your own life on the line to slip me the address that saved Lily’s life.”
“You showed courage that half of the men on my payroll do not possess.”
He placed the contract and a heavy gold key onto the table directly in front of my tray.
“Effective immediately, your employment as a housemaid is officially terminated,” Luca announced.
My heart dropped into my stomach for a brief second before he continued speaking.
“Starting tomorrow morning, you are appointed as the Executive Director of the Lorenzo Collins Charitable Foundation.”
“You will manage our syndicate’s transition into fully legitimate urban development, education, and healthcare across Chicago.”
“You will have an executive salary, a seat on our board of directors, and complete authority over the foundation's budget.”
“I will never allow someone with your fierce loyalty and sharp intellect to clean another floor in this city.”
Tears welled in my eyes as the weight of five years of hard domestic labor lifted from my shoulders in a single breath.
“Thank you, Luca,” I whispered, overwhelmed by the sudden transformation of my entire destiny.
Arthur raised his crystal glass into the warm air, his hazel eyes shining bright with pride and boundless joy.
“To loyalty,” Arthur toasted, his voice steady, powerful, and free from fear.
“To truth, to justice, and to the only thing that truly matters in this life.”
“Family.”
Luca raised his glass, clinking it gently against the old butler’s goblet with a resounding, musical ring.
“To family,” Luca echoed with a triumphant smile.
May you like
As the laughter of a safe, happy child echoed through the halls of the once-feared mansion, the darkness of the past finally dissolved.
The old butler had his paradise, the villainous wife was locked behind iron bars, and loyalty had claimed its rightful throne.
