Chapter 4 - The Head SeatMercer Dane disappeared.
Dante ordered every port closed.
Within six hours, three city officials were demanding answers.
The Hudson Compact collapsed.
Again.
But this time, Clarissa knew why.
Someone wanted chaos.
Chaos created fear.
Fear created opportunities.
And opportunities created new owners.
Silas believed the attack was bigger than Mercer.
“Someone is coordinating this,” he said.
Clarissa looked at the documents.
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“That answer is becoming irritating.”
He smiled.
“You're getting impatient.”
“I’ve been patient for five years.”
His smile disappeared.
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“Too patient.”
Silas nodded.
“You're right.”
Later that evening, Dante came to her private room.
He closed the door.
“You were always smarter than I gave you credit for.”
Clarissa stared.
“That isn't an apology.”
“No.”
“What is it?”
“Fear.”
She froze.
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Losing control.”
“You were afraid of me?”
Dante laughed bitterly.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“I was afraid of what would happen if everyone realized you were better at this than I was.”
The honesty stunned her.
“You knew about my family.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Before we married.”
Clarissa looked away.
“Then why marry me?”
“Because I loved you.”
She turned.
“I believe that.”
“But?”
“But you loved what I gave you.”
His face tightened.
“You made me better.”
“I made you accountable.”
“You made me successful.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“You were successful before me.”
She took a breath.
“I made your empire livable.”
He lowered his gaze.
“I know.”
It was the first time he had admitted it.
Silas entered moments later.
He stopped when he saw them.
Dante looked at him.
“She knows everything.”
Silas nodded.
“Good.”
Dante looked at Clarissa.
“You're going to take control.”
It wasn't a question.
“Yes.”
“Over my family?”
“No.”
She took a breath.
“Over what my family owns.”
Dante stared.
“And if I refuse?”
“Then the board will remove you.”
He looked at Silas.
“You planned this.”
Silas shook his head.
“No.”
“Then why help her?”
“Because unlike you, I know what she can become.”
Dante laughed.
“You think she’ll be safe sitting in that chair?”
Silas answered.
“She'll be safer than standing beside you.”
Dante walked out.
Clarissa sat alone.
The next morning, the family board gathered.
A formal vote was held.
Seven votes for emergency authority.
Two against.
Clarissa Bennett Marone became interim controlling chair of Marone Holdings.
She walked to the head of the room.
The chair was dark wood.
Heavy.
Old.
For decades it had belonged to the men of the Marone family.
Clarissa placed her hand on it.
Then she sat.
Across the table, Dante watched.
Silas stood in the doorway.
He did not enter.
He simply nodded.
The woman who had spent years sitting beside power had finally taken the seat herself.
May you like
And the moment she sat down, every man in the room understood something.
The Marone era had changed.
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