Chapter 13 - The Queen's Gambit
Dominic arrived at the hospital in less than twelve minutes, flanked by four heavily armed guards. He found Hannah sitting in her private office, staring at the small, terrifying cardstock note resting on her mahogany desk. The corporate lawyer had survived, thanks entirely to Hannah’s flawless medical intervention, but the message had been delivered loud and clear.
Dominic closed the door, the heavy silence of the room pressing down on them. "Hannah, I can explain," he started, his imposing frame tense with guilt and barely contained rage.
"You found out she was alive the night we got engaged," Hannah interrupted smoothly, pointing at the note. "You didn't tell me because you thought you could handle it on your own. You sent men to Paris, and now Vanessa is retaliating by poisoning your employees in my hospital to prove that she can reach us anywhere."
Dominic stopped, staring at her in absolute awe. She hadn't yelled, she hadn't cried, and she hadn't accused him of betrayal. She had simply analyzed the entire tactical situation flawlessly in a matter of minutes.
"I wanted to protect you," Dominic said quietly, walking around the desk and taking her hands. "You spent a year living in absolute terror because of Arthur Sterling. I refused to let Vanessa take away your peace just as you got your life back."
Hannah stood up, her gray eyes flashing with fierce, unbreakable resolve. "Dominic, I am not a fragile piece of glass that needs to be kept in a display case. I survived Arthur, I survived Walter, and I saved your mother's life three times. If there is a war coming, I am fighting it by your side."
Before Dominic could respond, the office door clicked open. Eleanor Moretti walked in, leaning heavily on a silver-handled cane, looking remarkably sharp in a tailored black suit.
"The girl is right, Dominic," Eleanor announced, taking a seat on the leather sofa. "You cannot fight Vanessa with bullets. She is much smarter than her uncle ever was. She is using the Corsican Circle's resources."
"How do you know about the Corsicans, Mother?" Dominic demanded, his eyes narrowing.
Eleanor sighed, looking out the rainy window. "Because fifty years ago, your father and I helped them establish their American foothold. We cut ties when they started dealing in chemical weapons. Vanessa's mother was a Corsican broker. That is why Arthur wanted Vanessa to marry you—to merge the brute force of Chicago with the invisible wealth of Europe. Vanessa was the true mastermind behind Arthur's coup. She used Walter's greed to eliminate Arthur so she could inherit both empires."
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Hannah crossed her arms, her analytical mind processing the massive revelation. "She poisoned the lawyer today to test a new synthetic toxin, and to send a message. She wants us to know we are not safe in Chicago."
"Then we will not stay in Chicago," Dominic decided, a cold, ruthless smile spreading across his face. "If she wants to play a game of shadows, we will bring the light directly to her front door."
