Chapter 7 - The Hostile Gala
One month later.
The Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Philadelphia was packed with elite businessmen, politicians, and high-society figures for the annual Harbor Development Gala.
Tonight was the night Don Moretti—the ruthless boss of the rival syndicate—planned to officially announce the forced acquisition of the Valenti shipping docks, believing Enzo’s family was weakened after Julian’s arrest.
The heavy oak doors of the ballroom swung open.
A quiet hush fell over the three hundred guests in attendance.
Enzo Valenti walked into the ballroom. Dressed in an immaculate black tuxedo, his posture was regal, commanding, and radiating absolute power.
Arm in arm beside him walked Iris Valenti. She wore a breath-taking midnight-blue velvet evening gown, her hair styled in an elegant updo, wearing the priceless Valenti diamond necklace around her neck.
Beside them, walking with calm, majestic posture on a short leather lead held by Iris, was Orion. The massive Cane Corso wore a leather harness emblazoned with the official Valenti crest.
Gasps echoed through the room.
"Is that Enzo’s new wife?" "I thought his family was falling apart after his nephew was ousted!" "She looks like royalty... and that dog looks like a lion!"
At the VIP table across the room, Don Moretti—a heavy-set, arrogant man in his late fifties—dropped his champagne glass. His eyes widened in absolute shock as he saw Enzo standing tall, surrounded by loyal allies, holding the hand of a radiant, powerful wife.
"Moretti," Enzo spoke, his voice carrying clearly across the silent room as he walked right up to Moretti's table. "I believe you were holding a press conference regarding my shipping docks?"
Moretti stood up, sweating under his collar, trying to maintain his arrogant stance. "Valenti... your board signed a preliminary agreement—"
"My husband’s former board had no legal authority to sign anything," Iris spoke up, her voice smooth, crystalline, and packed with supreme legal authority.
She pulled a leather folder from her clutch, tossing it onto Moretti’s table with effortless grace.
"As the legal co-owner and chief trustee of the Valenti Estate," Iris declared firmly, "I have placed an immediate federal injunction on all territory transfers. Furthermore, my legal team has submitted evidence of your collusion with Julian Valenti to the State Prosecutor's office fifteen minutes ago."
Moretti’s face turned completely red. "You... you little vet! Who do you think you are?!"
Moretti slammed his fist on the table, stepping forward aggressively toward Iris.
WOOF!
Orion took one swift step forward, placing his massive body directly between Moretti and Iris. The blind dog let out a single, thunderous bark that shook the crystal chandeliers overhead, his muscular chest rising as he growled with terrifying power.
May you like
Moretti took three frantic steps backward, almost tripping over his own chair, his body trembling in pure fear.
"Touch my wife again, Moretti," Enzo whispered, stepping beside Orion, his dark eyes flashing with lethal promise, "and my dog won't be the only one taking a bite out of you."
