Chapter 5 - The Grand Gala
The Grand Plaza Ballroom was a sea of glittering chandeliers, crystal champagne flutes, and men in sharp suits hiding deadly secrets.
Over five hundred of the most powerful figures in the city’s underground hierarchy were in attendance—cartel bosses, corrupt senators, syndicate leaders, and high-level loan sharks, including a visibly nervous Mick O’Shea, who stood near the bar surrounded by three bodyguards.
The double mahogany doors at the top of the grand staircase swung open.
The announcer's voice echoed over the microphone: "Announcing Victor Costello, head of the Costello Syndicate, and Miss Sadi Hayes."
The entire ballroom went dead silent.
Every eye in the room traveled up the grand marble staircase. Victor stepped into the light, looking regal and ruthless. But it wasn't Victor that made the crowd gasp—it was the stunning woman on his arm.
Sadi walked down the stairs with her head held high, holding tightly to Victor's arm. She could feel the heavy stares of five hundred ruthless people burning into her skin, but whenever her confidence faltered, Victor’s hand would gently squeeze hers, reminding her of his unwavering presence.
As they reached the floor of the ballroom, several rival syndicate bosses approached, their eyes fixed on the massive sapphire necklace resting against Sadi's collarbone.
"Victor," Julian Falcone, a rival boss from the West Side, grinned slyly. "We didn't know you were bringing a guest. I don't recognize the lady. Which family does she belong to?"
Victor took a glass of champagne from a passing tray and handed it to Sadi. He placed his arm around her waist, pulling her close against his side in a clear, public display of ownership.
"She belongs to me, Julian," Victor stated, his voice carrying clearly across the surrounding crowd. "Her name is Sadi Hayes. And her brother’s healthcare, her family’s safety, and her protection are under my personal umbrella."
Julian’s sly smile faltered as he recognized the clear warning in Victor's tone.
Across the room, Mick O’Shea went pale as a sheet. He tried to slide quietly toward the rear exit, but Gabriel and two heavy Costello enforcers stepped into the hallway, blocking his escape.
Victor guided Sadi smoothly through the crowd, stopping right in front of Mick O’Shea.
Mick began sweating profusely, his hands shaking as he held his glass. "Mr. Costello... I cleared the debt, just like you asked. Everything's settled—"
"You threatened a dying child in a hospital bed, Mick," Victor said, his tone dropping so low the air around them felt like ice. "In my city. Against a woman who carries my name."
"I didn't know!" Mick pleaded, looking terrified at Sadi. "Sadi, tell him! I didn't know!"
Sadi looked at the man who had terrified her for months, the man who had threatened to pull the plug on her innocent brother. She felt no fear anymore. Standing beside Victor, she felt an incredible, surging sense of power.
"You knew I was desperate, Mick," Sadi said, her voice clear and strong. "And you tried to destroy me."
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Victor turned to Gabriel. "Take Mick outside. Hand his ledger over to the federal prosecutor, and strip his firm of all assets. He leaves Chicago by sunrise, or he doesn't leave at all."
"Right away, boss," Gabriel grunted, grabbing Mick by his collar and dragging him out of the gala as the crowd watched in stunned silence.
