Chapter 9 - YEARS OF GOLD
Ten years later.
The winter snow fell softly over the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
A tall, beautiful sixteen-year-old girl with long blond hair walked down the stone steps of the university library, carrying a thick binder of pre-med textbooks.
On her left wrist, glistening under the snowy streetlight, rested a delicate gold-and-sapphire braided bracelet—a little worn around the edges, but polished to perfection.
Waiting at the bottom of the steps stood a sleek, armored black sedan.
Standing beside the open rear door was Dante, his hair now streaked with silver, wearing a sharp black overcoat.
"Good afternoon, Miss Molly," Dante said with a respectful bow, taking her heavy textbook binder.
"Hi, Dante!" Molly smiled warmly, sliding into the heated leather back seat. "Did Uncle Vincent come?"
"He's waiting for you at the restaurant," Dante smiled, closing the heavy door.
Ten years had passed since the night a six-year-old girl in a borrowed yellow dress had stopped a mob boss from opening a silver-ribboned box.
In those ten years, Chicago had experienced an era of unprecedented peace under Vincent Caruso’s absolute rule. The Caruso family had transitioned almost entirely into legitimate commercial real estate, logistics, and philanthropic foundations.
Rebecca Hale was now the Vice President of the Caruso Children's Foundation, managing millions of dollars in educational scholarships for underprivileged children across Illinois.
And Molly had grown into a brilliant, fierce young woman, top of her class, preparing to enter Northwestern's accelerated medical program.
The black sedan pulled up to Caruso’s on the Lake—the fine dining restaurant Vincent had built overlooking the water.
Molly walked inside, greeted warmly by the staff, and was escorted to the private top-floor dining terrace.
Sitting at the table near the fireplace was Vincent Caruso.
He was fifty-five now, his dark hair silvered at the temples, wearing an immaculate navy suit. He looked every bit the distinguished corporate titan, his eyes filled with warmth as he saw her walk in.
"Look at you," Vincent said, standing up and pulling her into a warm hug. "Pre-med textbooks already? You're going to make the rest of those university students look bad, Molly."
"I learned from the best," Molly laughed, sitting down across from him. "Always be prepared."
Rebecca joined them a minute later, looking elegant in a dark green dress, sitting beside her daughter.
As the waiter poured sparkling water, Vincent looked at Molly, his gaze falling onto the gold-and-sapphire bracelet on her wrist.
"You still wear it every day," Vincent noted softly.
"I haven't taken it off in ten years, Uncle Vincent," Molly said, touching the small pink gems gently. "It reminds me of where I came from... and who saved us."
"No, Molly," Vincent corrected her gently, reaching across the table to cover her hand with his. "It reminds me of who saved me."
May you like
He looked out the floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the snow falling over the blue waters of Lake Michigan.
"Ten years ago tonight," Vincent murmured, "I was a man trapped in a house full of snakes. I thought money and fear were the only things that mattered in this life. And then a brave six-year-old girl walked out of the kitchen corridor looking for a plastic bracelet... and taught me what real loyalty meant."
