The Don’s Favorite Lover Vanished

---- Chapter 17 Chiara's POV I spent one night getting up to speed on Vincenzo's two years of madness and the chaos within the Russo family. Using my top-tier intelligence skills, I located Katerina's hideout in Prague. "Dad," I said, putting down the intel file, my eyes cold. " That woman, Katerina. She, the rest of the Petrov loyalists, and the Russo traitors who helped her-they all need to face judgment." My father looked at me, his gaze sharp. "I've already sent my men. In three days, they will be in Chicago, on time." "Good." I stood up. "I'm calling a hearing of the High Commission.

I want the entire underworld to watch what happens when you cross Chiara Rossi." Three days later. Chicago. The secret chamber of the High Commission. I took my seat in the petitioner's chair. Marco and Tony stood silently behind me, witnesses for ---- the prosecution. I stared coldly at the defendants' box across the room. Katerina Petrov sat in the center. My men had dragged her out of her Prague hideout. She was in a prison uniform, her face drained of all color, filled with nothing but fear and hatred.

Beside her were three core members of the Petrov family and a key Russo capo-Sal DeLuca, a fat man who used to smile at me. On the dais, five figures sat in deep shadow, representing the highest power in the North American Mafia. "The Commission will now hear the grievance of Rossi against Petrov and their conspirators," the chairman's voice, altered by a scrambler, was devoid of emotion. " Petitioner Chiara Rossi, your statement." Trose and threw a stack of documents on the table.

"Two years ago, Katerina Petrov," I looked straight at her, giving her nowhere to hide, "colluded with an internal Russo traitor, Sal DeLuca, to set a marriage trap. The goal was to absorb the Russo family and for the ---- multiple attempts on my life. The defendants present were her accomplices." "Sal DeLuca," I turned to the fat man, who was now sweating profusely. "On the night of the engagement party, you were the one who disabled the security system on the south side of the ballroom, letting the Petrov hit squad inside. Correct?" Sal's body trembled violently. "I... I didn't!

That's a lie!" "A lie?" I gave a cold laugh and played a recording. His voice, clear as day, discussing the deal with Dimitri Petrov. "In exchange, the Petrovs promised you control of all Russo port business in Chicago. Should I present the Swiss bank transfers as well?" Sal slumped in his chair, his face ashen. I locked my eyes back on Katerina. "The rocket in the tunnel, the grenade at the party, and the 'elimination' order you gave me in the rose garden. Do you deny any of it?" "That was all Dimitri's idea! I was just following orders!" Katerina shrieked, trying to save herself. "I...

I was forced!" ---- "Forced?" I took a step closer, my voice turning to ice. " Then tell me, Katerina, who was it that stood over my bed, syringe in hand, and smiled as she told me the date of my execution?" Katerina's face went chalk white. Her lips trembled, but no words came out. Iturned to the dais. "Your Honors, I rest my case. They are the guilty. I am here to demand the old laws be enforced." Thirty minutes later, the Commission announced its verdict.

"Katerina Petrov, for conspiracy, murder of an ally, and betrayal." "Sal DeLuca, for treason against his family and collusion with an enemy." "The three remaining Petrov members, for accessory to murder." "By the old laws, the sentence for all is death." Desperate wails erupted from the defendants' box. ---- Katerina completely broke. She slid from her chair and crawled toward me, snot and tears streaming down her face. "Chiara! No... Miss Rossi! Please! I don't want to die! I was wrong! Please, let me go!" Tlooked at her, my face a blank mask.

I walked over and crouched down, my voice a ghost in her ear. "You offered me a 'dignified death' once. So tell me, does this feel dignified to you?" I stood up and gave a slight bow to the dais. "On behalf of the Rossi family, I accept the Commission's judgment. Please proceed with the execution immediately." The hearing was over. As we were leaving, one of the figures, hidden deepest in the shadows, spoke to my father. "Lorenzo, your daughter is even more ruthless than you were.

The Rossi family has a worthy heir." ---- Outside, my father said to me, "You did well." I looked up at the cold Chicago sky. "This is just the beginning," I said quietly to the Chicago sky. "The real debt belongs to Vincenzo. And he's about to start paying."