Chapter 7 - A NEW DAWN AT THE ESTATE
By eight o'clock the following morning, the sun broke through the storm clouds over Lake Michigan, painting the snow-covered grounds of the Caruso estate in blinding, brilliant white.
Inside the mansion, the marks of the night's chaos had been erased by a army of restoration workers. The broken glass in the ballroom was gone, the marble floors polished to a mirror finish, and the smell of fresh coffee and pastries filled the grand kitchen.
In the third-floor private guest suite, Rebecca Hale sat beside the tall window, watching her daughter play on the plush rug.
Molly was sitting in a miniature armchair, wearing a brand-new pink winter coat Vincent’s staff had delivered that morning, admiring her gold-and-sapphire bracelet as it sparkled in the sunlight.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
Rebecca stood up quickly, opening it to find Vincent standing in the hallway.
He was dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, looking clean, rested, and completely composed—as if the violence of the previous night had never occurred.
"Good morning, Rebecca," Vincent said politely, stepping into the suite.
"Good morning, Mr. Caruso," Rebecca said, her voice quiet but no longer trembling with terror. "Is... is it over?"
"The Moretti family is no longer a threat," Vincent informed her plainly. "And Adrian Vale has been permanently removed from Chicago."
Rebecca let out a long breath she felt like she had been holding for twelve hours. "Thank God."
Vincent walked over to Molly, kneeling on the rug beside her tiny armchair.
"How is the bracelet holding up, Dr. Molly?" Vincent asked with a faint smile.
Molly giggled, holding up her wrist. "It's shiny! Mama says I shouldn't wear it while playing, but I told her it's my magic shield!"
"Your mother is right about most things," Vincent agreed gently. "But it is a shield. As long as you wear it, everyone in this city knows you belong to my household."
He stood up and turned to Rebecca.
"I spoke with the director of the St. Thomas Academy this morning," Vincent told her. "It is the finest private school in Illinois. Molly starts second grade there on Monday. All tuition, books, and uniforms are fully taken care of."
Rebecca’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. "Mr. Caruso... St. Thomas? That school costs forty thousand dollars a year! I could never afford—"
"You don't have to afford anything, Rebecca," Vincent interrupted smoothly. "Your daughter saved my life. She saved this empire. Making sure she has the best education money can buy is the least I can do."
He pulled a small leather folder from his jacket and handed it to her.
"This is the deed to a four-bedroom townhouse in Lincoln Park," Vincent explained. "It is registered in your name. You will have a full security detail assigned to you, a private driver, and a monthly trust stipend."
Rebecca stared at the leather folder in her hands, tears welling in her eyes once again, but this time they were tears of profound relief and gratitude.
"Why are you doing all of this for us?" Rebecca choked out. "We're just servants..."
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Vincent looked at her, his dark eyes solemn and sincere.
"In my world, Rebecca, people spend their whole lives surrounded by fake friends who smile to your face while holding a knife behind your back," Vincent said quietly. "Your six-year-old daughter showed more courage and honesty in five seconds than men I've known for twenty years. You are not servants anymore. You are family."
