Chapter 19 - Raffaele’s reputation enters court
Victoria’s lawyers raised my background.
Public allegations.
Family history.
Businesses previously associated with organized crime.
No recent convictions against me.
Still:
Security teams.
Cash-heavy businesses.
Feared reputation.
Could Sophie be unsafe around me?
Daniel said:
“I had the same concern before all this.”
Then:
“What changed?”
“I watched him protect both children even when one wasn’t his.”
That helped emotionally, not legally.
Court considered actual safety.
My home security.
Firearms secured.
Employees vetted.
No evidence Sophie exposed to criminal activity.
Then I had to admit one thing:
I had previously used intimidation in business disputes.
Civil lawsuits.
Aggressive collections.
No violence conviction.
But reputation was not imaginary.
The judge warned:
“Family court is not a place for private enforcement.”
I answered:
“Understood.”
And meant it.
Victoria could not be punished outside law.
May you like
Not by me.
That was self-control.
