Chapter 3 - The Interruption
Selene pushed her chair back, her heels clicking loudly against the floor as she stood up, her eyes darting frantically toward the grand archway of the dining room.
"Damian, listen to me!" Selene pleaded, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and desperation. "The Morettis threatened my family's firm! They forced me to get the shipping routes for the eastern docks! I had no choice!"
"There is always a choice," Damian replied coldly.
Before Selene could take a step toward the doorway, two tall men dressed in immaculate dark suits and earpieces stepped out from the shadows of the foyer, completely blocking the exit. Marcus, Damian’s chief of security, stepped forward, his expression carved from stone.
"Take Miss Vale to the holding office upstairs," Damian ordered, tossing the stolen card onto the table. "Search her phone, her vehicle, and her residence. I want every contact name sent to my personal device in five minutes."
"Right away, Boss," Marcus said, grabbing Selene firmly by her forearm.
"Damian! You can't do this to me!" Selene shrieked as she was escorted away, her high heels scraping against the marble floor until her voice faded down the grand corridor. "I am a Vale! You'll regret this!"
The dining room returned to a heavy, stunned quiet. The wealthy business associates sat frozen, terrified that any movement might draw the mafia Don's ire toward them.
Damian turned back to the table. He smoothed the lapels of his black suit jacket, unbuttoned the top button, and sat back down in his leather chair. The cold, ruthless demeanor he had displayed seconds ago vanished as he turned to face little Lily, who was watching him with wide, curious eyes.
Damian reached out, gently picking up a silver basket filled with warm, freshly baked bread rolls and setting it directly in front of the child.
"You said you were hungry, didn't you, Lily?" Damian asked softly, his tone completely transformed.
Lily nodded eagerly, her light-brown curls bouncing around her shoulders. "Yes, Mr. Bellucci."
"Eat whatever you like," Damian said, offering her a rare, subtle smile. He then looked across the table at his frozen executives. "Well? Eat your dinner, gentlemen. The meeting is finished."
The executives hurriedly picked up their forks, nodding frantically and returning to their meals without uttering a single word.
Nora stepped forward tentatively, her face still pale. "Mr. Bellucci... I am so sorry for my daughter interrupting your evening..."
Damian looked at Nora, his voice calm and reassuring. "Nora, set down the coffee pot and sit down."
May you like
Nora blinked in surprise. "Sir?"
"Sit down and eat with your daughter," Damian repeated, gesturing to the empty chair beside Lily. "You've worked twelve hours today. That's an order."
