Chapter 7 - the judgment
Don Carmine, an eighty-year-old patriarch with silver hair and sharp blue eyes, stepped forward and took the parchment documents from Clara's hands. He pulled out a pair of reading glasses, inspecting the gold wax seals and Salvatore's signature under the chandelier light.
The ballroom remained dead silent for two long minutes.
Don Carmine lowered the paper, his face grave and solemn as he looked at the gathered bosses. "The marriage certificate is authentic. Registered under federal authority thirty-one years ago. Clara Hayes is the legitimate firstborn child of Don Salvatore Bellucci."
Gasps rippled softly through the elder captains.
Carmine turned his stern gaze toward Celeste and the fallen Santino. "Under section twelve of our founding charter, high treason against a direct bloodline heir carries only one penalty: total forfeiture of all assets, expulsion from the territory, and permanent imprisonment under syndicate custody."
Celeste collapsed to her knees on the floor, weeping hysterically, her icy composure completely destroyed. "Please! Don Carmine! I was just trying to protect my future! Victor was going to cast me aside!"
Victor didn't even look at her. He motioned to Marcus, who stepped forward with four armed guards.
"Take them to the docks," Victor commanded coldly. "They leave Chicago on the morning transport. If either of them sets foot in this state again... eliminate them."
The guards dragged the screaming Celeste and the battered Santino out of the grand ballroom, their voices fading into the long corridors.
Don Carmine turned to Clara, offering a deep, respectful bow. "Welcome home, Lady Clara Bellucci. Your father's seat is honored by your presence."
Clara looked at the elder bosses, then turned her head to look at Victor. A soft, genuine smile touched her lips.
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"Thank you, Don Carmine," Clara said, her voice clear and resonant. "But my father built this empire with my brother. I do not wish to rule the streets. I ask only that my family's name be restored, and that our holdings be used to build something clean."
Victor looked at his sister, a profound spark of pride and respect shining in his dark eyes.
