Dominic Virelli was still laughing when the woman holding the mop answered his father in a language Dominic had spent thirty-two years pretending to understand.

That evening, the atmosphere at the port had completely transformed.

Sadie, Dominic, and Bernardo sat inside a rustic trattoria overlooking the harbor, eating fresh pasta, drinking local red wine, and negotiating terms. With Sadie facilitating the discussion, Dominic agreed to restore the hardship bonuses immediately and establish a direct communication line with the union, bypassing the corrupt local middle-managers who had been skimming profits.

“To Arthur Cole’s daughter!” Bernardo cheered, raising his glass of wine in a toast. “May she teach all American bosses how to speak like human beings!”

Dominic raised his glass, his eyes fixed on Sadie. “To Sadie,” he said, his voice deep and sincere. “The smartest investment Virelli Holdings ever made.”

Sadie blushed softly, taking a sip of her wine. For the first time in months, the heavy weight of grief over her father’s passing felt lighter. She looked at Dominic, seeing past his sharp suit and tough exterior to the genuine, capable leader beneath.

As they walked back to their hotel along the cobblestone streets of old Palermo, the night air was sweet with the scent of orange blossoms and salt water.

“You were incredible today,” Dominic said quietly, stepping close to her side as they walked.

“I just told them the truth,” Sadie replied softly. “People usually respond well to the truth if you respect them enough to give it to them.”

Dominic stopped near a stone archway lit by a flickering streetlamp. He took her hand gently, his thumb lightly stroking her warm skin. “I owe you an apology, Sadie. For how I treated you in New York. For calling you... what I called you.”

Sadie looked up at him, her heart beating a little faster. “You were arrogant, Dominic.”

“I was an idiot,” he corrected with a faint, handsome smile. “I was so busy trying to prove to my father that I was tough enough to run his empire that I forgot how to actually lead.”

He reached up, his long fingers softly touching the side of her face, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Sadie held her breath as he leaned down, his face inches from hers.