Chapter 8 - Reckoning
Domenico reached the front of the stage, signaling the tech team to switch the screen display.
The image changed to a legal document featuring certified state seals, DNA sequencing charts, and official court notarization.
"This is the official DNA report completed yesterday by the Chief Medical Examiner of the state," Domenico announced to the entire room. "Conducted in the presence of Don Moretti's own personal physician as a neutral party. Lily Valenti is my 99.9% biological daughter."
Don Moretti stood up from his table, his face thunderous as he glared at Richard. "You lied to me, Richard. You tried to use me to stage an illegal coup."
"Wait! Listen to me!" Helen shouted, her composure completely shattering. "He's manipulating the records! He's unfit!"
"The second screen, Marco," Domenico commanded quietly.
The display shifted again, revealing detailed bank statements and handwritten ledger pages—Helen's small leather notebook projected ten feet high for all to see.
"These are the receipts of bribery," Domenico said, pointing up at the screen. "Over three million dollars embezzled from the family's charitable foundation, paid directly to Capo Bruno and Capo Vincent to execute a hit on my loyal captains tonight during the Summit."
The room exploded into chaos. Capos stood up, drawing weapons, while Domenico’s loyalists instantly surrounded the stage, locking down every exit.
Richard reached into his jacket for a concealed pistol, but before his fingers could grasp the grip, Marco lunged forward, sweeping his legs out and pinning him face-down onto the stage floor.
Helen backed away in terror, stumbling against the podium, her pearls catching on the wood and snapping, sending hundreds of white beads cascading across the floor.
"By the law of the Syndicate," Domenico declared, his voice ringing out with supreme authority over the panicked crowd, "treason against the Don, forging blood records, and child abuse carry a single penalty. But because you are my blood... I spare your lives."
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He stepped up onto the stage, looking down at his disgraced parents.
"You are hereby stripped of all titles, all assets, and all family name. You will be escorted to a secluded estate in the mountains under round-the-clock armed guard. You will never see this city again. You will never touch money again. And you will never, ever speak my daughter's name."
