Chapter 12 - Stripped of the Ring
The media storm that followed the gala was swift and merciless.
Within forty-eight hours, the Marchesi family assets were completely seized by federal authorities to pay off their massive debts.
Antonio Marchesi fled to South America in disgrace, leaving behind a ruined name and an empty estate.
Celeste and Enzo were denied bail, remanded into federal custody awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
On Tuesday morning, Vincent sat behind the massive mahogany desk in his private study at the Romano estate.
I stood across from him, reviewing the final accounting reports.
“All restitution checks have cleared, Mr. Romano,” I reported with a smile. “Every single worker has received their stolen money back, plus the ten-thousand-dollar bonus. Ada’s apartment has been paid off in full, and she now owns the deed outright.”
Vincent leaned back in his leather chair, exhaling a long, satisfied breath.
“Good.”
He looked up at me, his eyes softening.
“And what about you, Grace?”
I blinked, surprised.
“Me, sir?”
“You risked your safety. You stood up to Celeste when you had nothing to gain and everything to lose,” Vincent said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the desk. “You saved my father’s legacy.”
“I just did what was right, Mr. Romano.”
Vincent stood up and walked around the desk, stopping just inches in front of me.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box.
He opened it.
Inside was not an engagement ring, but a beautiful, delicate gold necklace with a small pendant shaped like an olive branch—the ancient Roman symbol of peace and loyalty.
“My father had this made for the woman who would one day truly protect this house,” Vincent said softly.
He lifted the necklace from the box.
“May I?”
My heart fluttered against my ribs.
“Yes,” I whispered.
Vincent gently stepped behind me, lifting my hair.
His warm fingers brushed against the skin of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine as he fastened the gold clasp.
The pendant rested perfectly against my collarbone.
Vincent stepped back and looked at me, a genuine, breathtaking smile on his handsome face.
“It belongs to you, Grace.”
“Thank you, Vincent,” I said, using his first name for the very first time.
May you like
He looked deeply into my eyes, and for a moment, the entire world outside the estate seemed to fade away.
“Tonight,” Vincent said, “we prepare the feast. No staff uniforms. No titles. Just family.”
