Chapter 2 - The Iron Fleet Arrives
Outside L’Étoile d’Or, the quiet glass-and-marble avenue erupted into a choir of screaming sirens. Four black police cruisers mounted the curb, their red and blue lights painting the dining room in rhythmic flashes. Immediately behind them came three heavy, black armored SUVs with blacked-out windows—Dante Moretti’s private tactical detail.
The heavy mahogany doors swung open. Six uniformed officers marched inside, led by Captain Miller, a stern, grey-haired veteran.
Victoria Vale let out a breath of relief, smoothing her gold dress. "Captain Miller! Thank goodness! This waitress assaulted me, created a scene, and now these men are threatening my husband and me! Arrest her immediately!"
Captain Miller walked straight past Victoria, stopping three feet in front of Dante Moretti, and removed his police cap.
"Mr. Moretti," Miller said respectfully. "We received a Silent-Priority distress signal registered to Miss Elena Marquez’s terminal. Is Miss Marquez safe, sir?"
Victoria froze, her mouth agape. "Captain! Did you hear me?! I am Victoria Vale! My husband donates millions to the police foundation!"
"Mrs. Vale," Captain Miller turned, his expression grim. "Miss Marquez’s service tablet recorded the entire interaction at Table 12, including high-definition audio and video. We reviewed the live feed in the patrol unit." He gestured to his officers. "Victoria Vale, you are under arrest for felony battery, destruction of property, and criminal harassment."
"What?!" Victoria shrieked as steel handcuffs snapped around her wrists with a heavy click. "Nathan, do something!"
Nathan Vale stood paralyzed. "Victoria, shut up! Just shut up!"
Dante turned to his chief legal advisor, Julian Vance, who had just stepped through the doors carrying a leather document case. "Julian. Who owns the underlying title to L’Étoile d’Or?"
"The real estate holding company, Vance & Moretti Holdings, acquired ninety percent of the primary mortgage debt at five o'clock today, Boss," Julian replied crisply. "The operating company is in default."
"Execute the foreclosure," Dante commanded softly. "Transfer sixty percent of the equity directly into my sister’s name. Give her complete operational authority."
Julian bowed slightly. "The paperwork will be fully recorded by midnight, Mr. Moretti. Miss Elena will be the sole owner of the property before the date changes."
Victoria, dragged toward the door by two officers, glared back at Elena with furious eyes. "You can't do this! You're a nobody! You're a low-class servant!"
Elena pulled Dante’s coat tighter around her shoulders, looking at Victoria with unbothered calm. "By midnight, Victoria, you will be sitting in a concrete processing cell. And I will own the floor you stood on."
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Nathan Vale fell back into his chair, staring at Dante with hollow, begging eyes. "Dante... please. Vale Capital owes thirty million dollars to your credit line... If you pull funding, my firm collapses tomorrow..."
Dante looked at Nathan as if he were dirt on his Italian boots. "Your wife tore my sister's clothes in public. You have until eight o'clock tomorrow morning to repay thirty million dollars in full. If you fail, I will take your mansion, your cars, your firm, and your freedom."
