Chapter 5 - A Declaration of War
Celeste’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief, her face flushing bright red with rage and embarrassment. "Dante! What on earth are you doing? She’s a servant!"
Senator Vane, Celeste’s powerful father, pushed his way through the crowd, his brow furrowed with anger. "Dante, what is the meaning of this spectacle? You are humiliating my daughter on her engagement night!"
Dante slowly placed the silk handkerchief into Mara’s trembling hand. "Go back to your quarters, Mara," he said gently, his voice soft only for her. "Take the rest of the night off."
Mara looked up at him, her eyes wide with shock and fear. "Mr. Romano... please don't cause trouble on my account..."
"Go, Mara," he repeated softly.
Mara turned and hurried through the service door, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.
Once the wooden door clicked shut behind her, Dante turned around slowly to face Celeste, Senator Vane, and the three hundred silent guests watching the drama unfold. The warmth in his eyes was instantly replaced by a terrifying, arctic chill.
"Dante, explain yourself right now!" Senator Vane demanded, stepping forward aggressively. "You are marrying my daughter in three months! You do not disrespect her in front of the city's elite for a low-class housemaid!"
Dante adjusted his gold cufflinks with agonizing slowness. "The engagement is canceled, Senator."
A collective gasp echoed across the Grand Ballroom.
Celeste looked as though she had been slapped across the face. "What?! You can't be serious! Over a maid?!"
"I am entirely serious," Dante said, his voice carrying clearly to every corner of the room. "I do not marry women who abuse the people living under my roof. I do not ally myself with families who mistake my home for a playground for their cruelty."
Senator Vane’s face turned purple with fury. "You arrogant fool! Do you have any idea what this means? The Romano syndicate needs my political backing! Without my influence, the federal authorities will tear your shipping empire apart! The Moretti family will butcher you!"
Dante took two slow steps toward the Senator, leaning down slightly until he was inches from the older man’s face. "Let me educate you on how this city works, Senator," Dante whispered with lethal calm. "You did not protect my empire. My empire paid for your campaigns, bought your judges, and kept your corrupt sons out of prison. You are nothing in this city without my money."
Dante turned his gaze to Celeste, who was shaking with uncontrollable rage. "Security will escort you and your daughter off my property within ten minutes. If either of you ever steps foot on my land again, I will release the offshore banking records of the Vane foundation to the federal prosecutor."
Senator Vane froze, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. He knew exactly what those records contained—evidence that would put him away for the rest of his natural life.
May you like
"Get out of my house," Dante commanded cold-bloodedly.
Without waiting for a response, Dante turned his back on the horrified crowd, stepped through the service doors, and walked toward the quiet darkness of the west wing.
