Chapter 7 - The Shadow of the Past
The romance between the curvy restaurant manager and Manhattan’s most powerful corporate titan bloomed rapidly, becoming the talk of high-society tabloids. But with sudden prominence came dangerous enemies.
Julian Vance, humiliated by his defeat at Bellafonte, allied himself with a rival real estate syndicate led by Mario Rosetti—a bitter, old-school mafia boss who had hated the Moretti family for decades.
On a rainy Thursday afternoon, while Penelope was working in her office at Bellafonte, the door flew open.
Stepping into the office was an elegant, cold-looking woman in her late fifties, wearing an expensive mink coat and diamond jewelry. It was Victoria Moretti—Dominic’s estranged aunt, a powerful shareholder in the Moretti Hospitality Group who sided with Rosetti's faction.
Victoria looked around the office with disgust, her sharp eyes locking onto Penelope.
"Can I help you?" Penelope asked calmly, standing up from her desk.
Victoria walked forward, dropping a thick leather folder onto the desk. "I am Victoria Moretti. And I am here to buy your resignation."
Penelope didn't touch the folder. "My resignation isn't for sale, Mrs. Moretti."
"Listen to me, you fat little waitress," Victoria sneered, her voice dropping into a vicious, venomous whisper. "You think Dominic loves you? You're a temporary distraction. A peasant girl who amuses his senile father. You don't belong in our world. If you stay beside Dominic, Rosetti's syndicate will destroy him, destroy this restaurant, and destroy your family in Bensonhurst."
Penelope felt a cold chill run down her spine at the threat against her family, but she didn't step back. She stepped forward, towering over the older woman with fierce, unyielding dignity.
"Get out of my office," Penelope said, her voice dropping into an icy, dangerous tone that made Victoria flinch.
"Excuse me?!"
"You heard me," Penelope declared, pointing a finger at the door. "You come into my restaurant, insult my weight, insult Dominic's father, and threaten my family? You don't know who you're dealing with, Victoria. I was raised by Agatha Romano in Bensonhurst. I've dealt with much scarier bullies than a bitter old woman in a mink coat. Get out before I have security throw you onto the street."
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Victoria’s face turned bright red with rage. "You will regret this!" she spat, turning on her heel and slamming the door behind her.
Penelope sat back down at her desk, her hands trembling slightly, her heart pounding. She knew Victoria wasn't making empty threats. A storm was coming.
