Chapter 6 - The Tribunal of Blood
"Put the gun down, Dominic!" Viktor Moretti’s voice boomed as he entered behind his daughter, supported by two men, his arm in a sling from Dominic’s bullet. "The High Commission is here! You execute my daughter in front of the Commission, and the entire East Coast will go to war with the Vales!"
Three elderly men in dark tailor-made suits stepped into the ballroom. These were the Judges of the Underworld Commission—the highest authority in organized crime.
"Lower your weapons," the lead Judge, Don Carmine, commanded.
Slowly, Dominic lowered his gun, though his body remained tense, ready to kill at a second's notice.
"We were called here to settle a dispute," Don Carmine announced, walking toward the altar. "Julianna Moretti claims abandonment was forced upon her through violence. Dominic Vale claims she forfeited her parental rights. And now, we see a marriage taking place."
"She abandoned them two years ago!" Dominic snarled. "She left them crying in a cold room to bargain for territory!"
"That’s a lie!" Julianna sobbed, performing a masterclass in fake grief for the Judges. "Dominic held me hostage! He forced me to flee for my life! I have suffered every single day without my precious baby girls!"
Julianna turned toward the triplets, putting on a sweet, motherly smile. "Lily, Grace, Emma... come to Mommy. Come to Mommy, babies!"
She took two steps toward the children.
Instead of running to her, three-year-old Lily stepped forward, placed herself in front of Hannah, and shouted at the top of her lungs:
"BAD LADY! GO AWAY!"
The entire room went dead quiet.
Grace pointing her tiny finger at Julianna, crying, "Bad! Hurt Dada! Go away!"
Emma wrapped her arms around Hannah’s legs, sobbing, "Mama! Stay with Mama!"
The Judges exchanged astonished looks. Julianna’s fake motherly smile instantly melted into a contorted mask of rage.
"You little brat—!" Julianna blurted out, taking an aggressive step toward Lily.
Before she could touch the child, Hannah stepped in. With a swift, powerful motion, Hannah swung her right hand, delivering a deafening, cracking SLAP across Julianna’s face.
SNAP!
Julianna staggered back, clutching her bleeding cheek in shock.
"Don't you ever raise your voice to my daughters again," Hannah said, her voice dripping with pure venom, her posture radiating terrifying authority. "You lost the right to call yourself their mother the day you left them in the dark. I am their mother now."
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Dominic looked at Hannah, his eyes filled with fierce pride and intense devotion.
Don Carmine stepped forward, a subtle smile touching his old lips. "The children have spoken. Under ancient law, a child's true blood recognizes its savior. Furthermore, the Matriarch vow was completed before the interruption."
Don Carmine turned to Viktor and Julianna. "Julianna Moretti has no claim to the Vale heirs. The marriage between Dominic Vale and Hannah Mercer is legally binding under Syndicate Code. Hannah Mercer is the official Matriarch."
"This is outrage!" Viktor screamed. "I will burn the Vale family to the ground!"
"Try it," Dominic said cold, stepping up beside Hannah, taking her hand into his and interlacing their fingers. "And I’ll make sure there isn't a single Moretti left alive to bury you."
Don Carmine signaled his guards. "Escort the Morettis off the property. If they step foot in Vale territory again, it is open war."
Julianna was dragged out screaming curses, while Viktor glared at Dominic with lethal promise in his eyes.
That night, the wedding resumed in private. Under the quiet glow of candlelights, Dominic placed a massive diamond ring on Hannah’s finger.
"You slapped a mob princess in front of the High Commission," Dominic whispered into her ear as they danced slowly in the middle of the quiet ballroom.
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"She deserved it," Hannah said, resting her head against his chest. "Nobody touches my kids."
Dominic smiled, pulling her closer. "My wild, brave Matriarch."
