Chapter 5 - Unmasking the Syndicate Board
By sunrise, the rain had cleared, leaving a crisp morning light across the Bolaro grounds.
Dante’s mercenaries had been neutralized, and the estate was under the absolute control of Lorenzo’s most loyal soldiers.
In the grand dining room, warm sunlight poured through the stained-glass windows. Maya sat at the table, feeding Nico a bowl of warm cereal. The little boy was cheerful, laughing and reaching for his spoon with healthy vigor.
Lorenzo sat at the head of the table, drinking black coffee. Maya had cleaned and dressed his shoulder wound an hour earlier—a quiet moment where neither spoke, but their shared glances revealed an undeniable, growing bond.
Marco entered the dining room, holding a encrypted digital tablet.
"Boss," Marco said, setting the tablet before Lorenzo. "We cleared Dante’s private office in Downtown Chicago. We recovered his encrypted ledger. It wasn't just Don Silvio Marcone funding this."
Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed. "Who else?"
"Three members of the Chicago Syndicate Board," Marco revealed grimly. "Don Moretti, Don Falco, and Sofia’s father, Senior Director Antonio Maren. They all authorized Marcone’s takeover. They intended to divide our shipping lines and real estate trusts among themselves."
Lorenzo’s fingers tightened around his coffee cup until the ceramic cracked. "Antonio Maren knew his own daughter was poisoning my son?"
"Antonio provided the specialized bottle caps through his import firm," Marco said bitterly. "He used his own daughter’s obsession to secure his position at the top of the Board."
Maya set Nico’s spoon down, her eyes burning with quiet anger. "They treat a child's life like an expense on a balance sheet."
Lorenzo looked at Maya, his expression turning cold and focused. "They believe I am weakened because I grieved my wife. They believe they can destroy my family and divide my life's work while I hide behind these walls."
He stood up, his towering presence commanding total authority.
"Marco," Lorenzo ordered. "Convene an emergency meeting of the Syndicate Board for tonight at the Drake Hotel ballroom. Inform them Don Lorenzo Bolaro is stepping down due to his son's 'illness' and intends to sign over his territorial rights."
Marco looked surprised. "Boss? You’re surrendering?"
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"No," Maya spoke up, a sharp, brilliant smile appearing on her face as she understood his strategy. "He’s granting them everything they wanted... so they gather in one room, completely unsuspecting."
Lorenzo looked at Maya, a rare, quiet smile touching his lips. "And my primary security consultant will be attending at my side."
