Chapter 12 - A Legacy Restored
That afternoon, Roman gathered every single member of the DeLuca House staff in
the grand ballroom. Mrs. Patel, Chef Alvarez, the groundskeepers, the
dishwashers, and the junior servers stood nervously in a wide semicircle on the
polished mahogany floor. They were used to being invisible. They were used to
looking at their shoes whenever the boss walked past. Roman stood at the center
of the room with Claire at his side. Her hand was firmly tucked inside the crook
of his arm.
"I called you all here today to announce several permanent changes to DeLuca
House," Roman declared, his powerful voice commanding total silence. "First,
effective immediately, every staff member’s salary is being doubled, with full
medical benefits and a private retirement fund established under the Bennett
Foundation." Gasps and quiet murmurs of astonishment rippled through the staff.
Chef Alvarez dropped his wooden spoon. Mrs. Patel clapped a hand over her mouth.
May you like
"Second," Roman continued, turning his gaze toward Claire with unmistakable
pride, "the late Thomas Bennett has been fully exonerated of all false charges.
The Mercer family’s former maritime holdings have been formally restructured
under the Bennett-DeLuca Logistics Group. And Claire Bennett will oversee the
philanthropic distribution of those assets." Mrs. Patel stepped forward, her
eyes filled with tears, and bowed her head toward Claire. "You saved us all,
Claire," Mrs. Patel whispered. "You showed this family what true honor looks
like." Claire smiled warmly, stepping forward to hug the older housekeeper. "No
more looking at the floor, Mrs. Patel. We are all family here."
As the staff cheered, Dante approached Roman and handed him a velvet jeweler's
box and a certified envelope from the State Department of Corrections. "What is
that?" Claire asked, turning back to Roman. "The Mercer chapter is officially
closed," Roman said, opening the envelope. "Vivian Mercer pled guilty this
morning to attempted murder, extortion, and corporate fraud. She will serve
twenty-five years without parole at Bedford Hills. Arthur Mercer received
thirty-five years." Claire let out a long, slow breath. The heavy ghost that had
haunted her family for six years was finally, completely laid to rest. "And
this," Roman added, holding up the small black velvet box, "is something that
should have been given to you a long time ago."
