THE MAID’S TODDLER WARNED THE MAFIA BOSS TO CHECK HIS SON’S BIRTHDAY CAKE—MINUTES LATER, HE CLAIMED HER MOTHER BEFORE THE ENTIRE CITY AND HUNTED THE TRAITOR INSIDE HIS OWN FAMILY

By three o'clock in the morning, the rain outside had turned into a howling gale.

In the grand conference room on the third floor, seven high-ranking underbosses of the Moretti family sat around a long mahogany table. They were hard, scarred men who controlled the city's construction unions, shipping lines, casinos, and waste management networks.

Sitting at the head of the table was Alessandro.

Beside him, sitting in the high-backed leather chair reserved for the family matriarch, was Sophia.

She wore a dark green silk dress that draped elegantly over her frame. Though she felt out of place surrounded by lethal mobsters, she kept her posture straight, her chin raised, holding Alessandro’s hand beneath the table for strength.

At the far end of the room, a large digital map of New York was projected onto the wall, highlighting red target zones across the Brooklyn docks and Queens warehouses—the territory of Ivan Volkov, the boss of the Russian Bratva.

"Marco sang like a bird after twenty minutes," Matteo announced to the council, tossing a stack of signed documents onto the table. "Volkov paid Marco two million dollars in offshore crypto to plant the bomb. Volkov wanted to eliminate Leo, weaken Alessandro, and seize control of the Brooklyn shipping terminals by Monday."

Old Man Frank, the oldest underboss on the council, slammed his fist onto the table. "This is an act of total war! The Russians crossed the line! Planting a bomb at a child's party?! If the Council of Five Families hears about this, Volkov will be declared an outlaw!"

"We aren't waiting for the Council of Five Families," Alessandro spoke, his deep voice instantly silencing the room.

He stood up, leaning his hands on the mahogany table, looking at every underboss present.

"Volkov tried to murder my son," Alessandro said, his dark eyes burning with terrifying resolve. "He targeted my home. Tonight, we don't just defend our territory—we wipe the Volkov Syndicate off the map of New York forever."

The underbosses let out a chorus of low, hungry murmurs of approval.

Alessandro turned his head, looking down at Sophia.

"Sophia," Alessandro said, his voice softening in front of his entire council. "Your child heard the traitor. Your courage allowed us to uncover this plot. From this moment on, fifty percent of all revenue generated from the newly reclaimed Brooklyn docks will be transferred directly into an irrevocable trust fund for Lily's future."

Sophia’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. "Alessandro... no, that’s millions of dollars! I can't accept that!"

"You didn't ask for it," Alessandro smiled gently, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles in front of his cheering underbosses. "It is not a gift, Sophia. It is your daughter’s birthright as a member of this family."

Old Man Frank stood up, raising his crystal glass of scotch toward Sophia.