Chapter 4 - The Stolen Wages
Elena walked past the heavily armed guards and stood protectively behind her daughter, placing her raw, blistered hands on Lily’s shoulders. She was terrified of the men in the room, but she was more terrified of losing her child.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Verrone," Elena said, her voice shaking but resolute. "I tried to stop her from bothering you."
Damiano looked at the widow of the man who saved his life. He saw the cheap, worn-out uniform. He saw the exhaustion in her eyes. This was not the comfortable, protected life he had ordered for her.
"Elena," Damiano said gently. "Why are you scrubbing floors? I set up a massive trust fund for you. You were supposed to be managing the estate's charity accounts, not cleaning the kitchens."
Elena looked completely confused. "Trust fund? Sir, I don't know anything about a trust fund. Beatrice told me three years ago that you only offered me a job out of pity. She said if I didn't work double shifts in the laundry and kitchens, you would throw us out on the street."
The silence in the room became lethal.
Damiano slowly turned his head to look at Beatrice. The estate manager was visibly trembling, clutching her diamond necklace as if it could save her.
"Beatrice," Damiano whispered. It was a terrifying sound. "Where is the money from the Carlo Trust?"
"It... it went to estate expenses, sir!" Beatrice cried hysterically, backing away. "The taxes, the repairs! The staff payroll is massive! I was just trying to save you money!"
"Check her accounts, Rafael," Damiano ordered without breaking eye contact with Beatrice.
Rafael immediately pulled out a secure tablet, tapping the screen a few times. He didn't need long.
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"Sir," Rafael announced loudly. "There are three offshore accounts in Beatrice's name. She’s been siphoning the trust fund for three years. She’s stolen over two million dollars. And it looks like she’s been docking the wages of the entire kitchen staff to fund her personal shopping sprees."
👉 How will the mafia king punish the arrogant manager who stole from a widow?
