Chapter 27 - The Charity Gala|
To signify the absolute legitimacy of the new Moretti empire, Alessandro organized a massive charity gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was a bold statement, inviting the city's political elite, business moguls, and high society to dine under the same roof as the man who used to control the underworld.
I wore a sweeping gown of midnight blue silk, a subtle nod to the night sky, adorned with the new diamonds Alessandro had given me. Emma, dressed in a sparkling silver dress, was the center of attention, charming the stoic politicians with her polite curtsies and bright smile.
Marco, his arm in a discreet sling hidden beneath a tailored tuxedo, shadowed us flawlessly, looking more like an elegant guest than a bodyguard.
"You look breathtaking," Alessandro murmured, slipping his arm around my waist as we stood near the Temple of Dendur, the ancient stones illuminated by soft, golden uplighting.
"I feel like an imposter," I admitted, looking at the crowd of senators and hedge fund managers sipping champagne. "Waiting for someone to call us out."
"They won't," he assured me, taking two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and handing me one. "Because we own half the people in this room, and the other half want to be owned by us. The difference is, now we do it with contracts instead of bullets."
A prominent city councilman approached us, his face plastered with a wide, political smile. He shook Alessandro's hand enthusiastically, praising the foundation's generous donation to the public school system.
May you like
Watching Alessandro navigate the conversation with flawless charm, I realized that Lorenzo had been wrong. Alessandro hadn't gone soft; he had simply evolved. He had traded the crude weapons of his father for the far more dangerous tools of wealth and influence.
I smiled, taking a sip of my champagne. The girl who spoke was gone, replaced by the Queen of New York.
