Chapter 4 - The War of Vanguard
By 8:00 AM the following morning, the financial district of Chicago was in utter turmoil.
Inside the penthouse suite, Emily sat at the breakfast table, watching the local news on a giant flat-screen television. The anchor’s voice echoed across the room:
“Breaking news in local business: Vanguard Financial has officially suspended Senior Vice President Derek Vance following leaked security footage depicting a domestic altercation at the grand opening of the Moretti Hotel. Shares of Vanguard have dropped four percent in pre-market trading...”
Emily stared at the screen in disbelief. On the video clip being broadcast across the state, Derek’s face was clearly visible, his hand clamping violently around Emily’s wrist as she winced in pain. Beside the video was a official statement from the police department confirming an active investigation into domestic abuse allegations.
The heavy doors to the dining room opened, and Alexander walked in, looking immaculate in a charcoal-grey suit. He held a thick paper folder under his arm.
"Good morning, Emily," he said, stepping over to her chair and setting a hot cup of fresh coffee beside her plate. "Did you sleep well?"
"I... I don't think I’ve slept six hours straight in three years," Emily admitted, looking up at him. "Alexander... the news. Is that really happening?"
"It’s only the beginning," Alexander replied, taking a seat at the head of the table. He opened the folder, spreading out several legal documents and financial printouts. "Derek’s father tried to call the police commissioner three times last night to have the video suppressed. He didn't realize that the police commissioner owes his seat to my family trust."
Emily felt a strange mixture of awe and residual fear. "Derek must be furious."
"He is currently locked inside his villa in Lake Forest, surrounded by reporters," Alexander said with a cold smile. "He tried to hire a private investigation firm this morning to locate you. The owner of that firm called me immediately to ask how I wanted the situation handled."
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him to give Derek false leads in Indiana," Alexander said simply. "He’ll be chasing ghosts for the next week while we finalize your legal separation."
At that moment, Dante stepped into the room, holding an encrypted satellite phone. His expression was serious.
"Boss," Dante said in a low voice. "We have a problem. Derek Vance’s father just called an emergency meeting with the Commission."
Alexander’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Which commission?"
"The Outfit," Dante replied. "Old man Vance has business connections with the Falcone family. He’s claiming that you violated territory rules by taking a civilian woman from a public restaurant without board approval."
Emily’s heart sank. She recognized the name Falcone. Even a quiet woman living in the suburbs knew that the Falcones were the older, traditional mafia family that had controlled South Chicago for decades.
"They're going to demand that you give me back, aren't they?" Emily asked, her voice trembling as the brief sense of security began to crumble.
May you like
Alexander stood up slowly, picking up his coffee cup. He looked down at Emily, his grey eyes flashing with a dangerous, unyielding fire that chilled the air in the room.
"Let them demand whatever they want," Alexander said softly. "The Falcone family hasn't ruled this city in ten years. If they want to start a war over Derek Vance’s pathetic arrogance... I will burn the South Side to the ground before I let anyone lay a finger on you."
