Chapter 7 - The Aftermath in Boston
By noon the following day, the Boston news networks were in absolute chaos.
The front pages of every newspaper featured massive headlines: SENATOR KENSINGTON ARRESTED IN MASSIVE FEDERAL MONEY LAUNDERING STING; DAUGHTER DETAINED.
The news broadcasts showed footage of Senator Kensington being led away in handcuffs, followed by a weeping, disheveled Vivien covered in a blanket to hide her face from the cameras.
Meanwhile, inside the quiet office of Laura in the North End, Lorenzo sat at his desk, shaking violently as he drank a glass of cheap brandy.
The door to his office swung open.
Dominic Costello walked inside, wearing a pristine midnight-blue suit. Behind him walked Khloe Bennett, wearing a stylish, tailored dark grey coat and black boots, looking radiant, poised, and powerful.
Lorenzo jumped out of his chair, nearly knocking his glass over. "Dominic! Khloe! I... I swear I didn't know anything about last night! I didn't want any trouble in my restaurant!"
Khloe walked up to the desk, setting a small leather envelope on the blotter.
"What's this?" Lorenzo stammered.
"That is the deed of full ownership to this restaurant, Lorenzo," Khloe said calmly. "Dominic bought out your silent investors this morning. You now own Laura outright."
Lorenzo stared at her in shock, tears welling up in his aged eyes. "Khloe... after how I let her treat you?"
"My father called you a friend, Lorenzo," Khloe said softly. "You were scared. I understand fear. But under your new ownership, no server in this building will ever be mistreated by wealthy bullies again. Do you understand?"
"I swear it on my mother's grave!" Lorenzo wept, nodding hysterically. "Thank you, Khloe! Thank you!"
As they walked out of the restaurant into the bright afternoon sunlight, Khloe stopped on the sidewalk, taking a deep breath of the crisp sea air.
"That was generous of you," Dominic said, standing beside her, his hands tucked into his suit pockets.
"He gave my father work when nobody else would," Khloe replied simply. "People are complex, Dominic. They can be cowards one day and good people the next."
Dominic looked at her thoughtfully. "And what am I, Khloe?"
Khloe turned her head, looking up at the dangerous mob boss who had stood between her and four loaded guns.
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"You're a man who keeps his promises," she said softly. "Now... where is my bakery?"
Dominic smiled—a genuine, warm expression that completely transformed his harsh features. "Follow me."
