Chapter 8 - The Clearing of the Board
The federal takedown of Victor Rossi and Thomas Keller became the biggest scandal in Chicago history.
Over the next four weeks, the evidence preserved by the Bellini Grand's staff brought down an entire network of corrupt inspectors, dirty union bosses, and Rossi’s criminal shipping operations. Keller took a plea deal that sent him to federal prison for fifteen years. Rossi was indicted on twenty-two counts of racketeering, arson, and conspiracy.
The Bellini name, once whispered with fear in back alleys, was celebrated in headlines across the country as a model of corporate integrity and worker protection.
In the penthouse, winter gave way to early spring. The frozen sheet of Lake Michigan melted into deep sapphire blue under a warm April sun.
Emily stood in Roman’s private library, looking over the newly printed charter for the *Cesare and Emily Bellini Foundation for Hospitality Workers*. The fund was capitalized with twenty-five million dollars of Roman's private wealth. It guaranteed full pensions, medical safety nets, educational scholarships for children, and dignified retirement care for every employee across all Bellini properties.
A soft knock came at the door.
Samuel Price walked in, wearing a sharp, dark-blue blazer. He carried a small silver tray with an envelope on it.
"Miss Emily," Samuel said with a warm, grandfatherly smile. "Mr. Bellini requested that I deliver this to you personally."
Emily smiled back, taking the envelope. "Thank you, Samuel. How is the new concierge schedule treating you?"
"I work four hours a day, three days a week, Miss Emily," Samuel said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "And my grandson started his first semester at Northwestern yesterday, thanks to the foundation scholarship. There are no words to thank you."
"You earned it, Samuel. Forty-three years ago," Emily replied gently.
Samuel nodded respectfully and slipped out of the room, quietly closing the mahogany doors behind him.
Emily opened the envelope. Inside was a handwritten note on Roman’s heavy cardstock:
May you like
*The roof. Now.*
***
