Chapter 28 - THE FAMILY TABLE
Two hours later, the expansive sunroom at the back of the Brookline house was filled with the warm, radiant light of mid-morning. The large dining table was laid out with a lavish breakfast spread—freshly baked croissants, berries, scrambled eggs, and fresh orange juice.
Dante Vance sat at the far end of the table, his dark suit jacket draped over the back of his chair, enjoying a mug of black coffee while checking his tablet for security updates. The perimeter teams had reported zero anomalies, and the harbor operations were running at peak efficiency under the new, legitimate management board.
"The union reps sent a formal letter of gratitude this morning, Mrs. Moretti," Dante said with a grin, setting his coffee down. "They said Pier 42 has never been run with this much transparency. They even asked if you'd consider running for the port commission board next year."
Elena laughed softly, pouring a splash of cream into her cup. "Tell them I respectfully decline, Dante. Managing one global shipping conglomerate and keeping Adrian out of trouble is a full-time career."
Adrian, sitting at the head of the table with Sophia balanced on his knee, gave Elena a dry, exaggerated look of offense. "Keeping me out of trouble? I recall providing the tactical enforcement that secured your legal victory yesterday."
"You provided the heavy lifting, my love," Elena teased, leaning across the table to smooth down his collar. "I provided the brainpower that kept you out of a federal courtroom."
Sophia clapped her small hands together in delight. "Mommy is the boss! Daddy is the muscle!"
Dante nearly choked on his coffee, erupting into a loud, booming laugh that echoed through the sunroom. Even Adrian couldn't hold back a wide, genuine grin as he shook his head, kissing his daughter’s forehead.
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"She’s not wrong, Dante," Adrian admitted, his dark eyes shining with immense pride as he looked at his wife. "She has been the true head of this house since the day she walked into my office three years ago."
Elena’s heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of peace. The dark shadows of their past—the blood feuds, the corporate espionage, and the terrifying mysteries that had once threatened to tear them apart—had finally been burned away by the unyielding strength of their love and unity.
