Chapter 8 - The Empire She Never WantedThe arrests changed Chicago.
Vieri's network collapsed.
Corrupt officials resigned.
Businesses were seized.
Accounts were frozen.
Lorenzo testified.
He gave prosecutors names, transactions, and records that could have protected him.
Serena watched him sign away everything that had been built through fear.
“You're really doing this.”
“Yes.”
“You'll lose money.”
“I already lost something more important.”
She looked at him.
“You.”
She smiled.
“I didn't die.”
“No.”
He touched her cheek.
“But I almost lost the chance to know you.”
Serena still struggled with the inheritance.
Her father's trust was enormous.
She could have lived in luxury.
Instead, she wanted something simple.
So she proposed a different use.
A foundation.
Restaurant scholarships.
Hospitality training.
Food programs.
Housing support.
Medical care for elderly couples living on fixed incomes.
The first donation was made in Arthur and Rose Miller's name.
They cried when they learned.
Arthur hugged Serena.
“You gave us one dinner.”
“You gave me my family.”
Rose smiled.
“Then we're even.”
Lorenzo watched from across the room.
Marco joined him.
“You're smiling.”
“No.”
“You are.”
Lorenzo looked annoyed.
“I hate you.”
“No, you don't.”
For once, Lorenzo laughed.
His empire changed too.
Duca Holdings became entirely legitimate.
Old criminal assets were liquidated.
Employees stayed.
Many jobs were protected.
Lorenzo hired independent auditors.
He created a board that could remove him.
Serena was impressed.
“That's a lot of accountability.”
“I need it.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm not going to become my father.”
She touched his arm.
“You won't.”
“You sound certain.”
“I've seen who you are when nobody's watching.”
He smiled.
“That might be dangerous.”
“It is.”
Their relationship became public.
The tabloids went insane.
MAFIA HEIR FALLS FOR PLUS-SIZE WAITRESS
WHO IS SERENA BENNETT?
THE WOMAN WHO BROKE THE DUCA DYNASTY
Serena hated the headlines.
Lorenzo hated them more.
One interviewer asked him whether he had fallen for her because of her family's money.
Lorenzo laughed.
“I didn't know she had any.”
Then he looked at Serena.
“I fell in love with the woman who gave my table away.”
Serena rolled her eyes.
“That table almost got me fired.”
“It saved my life.”
He kissed her forehead.
“And mine.”
Months passed.
The danger faded.
But one final enemy remained.
Victor Hale.
He had escaped custody during a transfer.
Serena discovered a note in the mail.
You should have left Table Seven alone.
Lorenzo saw it.
His entire demeanor changed.
“I’m going to find him.”
Serena caught his hand.
“Together.”
May you like
He looked at her.
“Together.”
