Chapter 11 - The Empire's Rebirth
The return to New York was not a coronation; it was a total reconstruction.
When Serena Moretti walked through the double doors of the Manhattan penthouse holding six-month-old Niko, the air in the estate changed. The gilded cage she had fled months ago was no longer a monument to Lucien’s ego. It had been stripped, redesigned, and secured under a brand-new operational architecture.
Lucien sat at the head of the long mahogany conference table in the executive war room, watching as Serena took her seat directly opposite him. Flanking her were Elena and Marco Vitelli, who now answered to Serena’s direct strategic directives just as rigidly as they did to Lucien's.
"The Savino family is still testing our northern distribution lines," Marco reported, sliding a tablet across the table. "They think our internal upheaval left us vulnerable."
Serena didn't even look at the tablet. She adjusted Niko in her arms, her gaze sharp, cold, and entirely clinical. "They aren't testing us, Marco. They are committing suicide. Freeze their maritime logistics accounts in Zurich, reroute our European steel contracts through our shell corporations in Malta, and let them try to ship empty air by Friday."
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Marco blinked, looking from Serena to Lucien for confirmation.
Lucien smiled—a dark, fierce expression of absolute pride. "You heard Mrs. Moretti. Execute the orders."
