Chapter 7
The heavy steel doors of the private elevator slid shut, cutting off Beatrice’s shrill protests and Genevieve’s muffled cries as they were hauled away into the subterranean levels of the museum. The donor lounge instantly grew eerily quiet again, save for the gentle, rhythmic bubbling of the giant saltwater aquarium tanks against the wall.
"Clear the room," Dominic ordered, not raising his voice. "The gala is over."
The guests, realizing they had witnessed a purge of the highest order, quickly began filtering out toward the main museum exits under the silent, watchful eyes of Dominic’s armed capos. No one spoke, no one lingered, and no one dared to look back. The opulence of the charity event had been completely overshadowed by the ruthless efficiency of the syndicate.
Cameron remained standing near the overturned diving gear, his chest heaving as the crushing weight of the betrayal and his father's silent judgment bore down upon him. He looked down at his polished oxfords, then slowly raised his gaze to meet Dominic’s cold, unforgiving eyes.
"Father," Cameron whispered, his voice trembling slightly in the large, empty room. "What happens to us now? What happens to... to me?"
Dominic didn't answer immediately. He walked slowly toward a nearby padded bench, still holding little Maya securely against his chest. The little girl had stopped crying, her small thumb tucked into her mouth as her heavy eyelids fluttered sleepily against her grandfather's velvet jacket. Dominic gently kissed the top of her head before sitting down, placing Maya safely beside him.
Only then did Dominic turn his full, piercing attention back to his son. The silence stretched on for so long that it felt like an eternity, every tick of Dominic's luxury timepiece echoing like a hammer blow.
"You failed your primary duty as a father, Cameron," Dominic began, his voice low, steady, and devoid of anger, which made it infinitely more terrifying. "You allowed a parasite into our home, and you were too blind, too arrogant, or too weak to see the knife she was sharpening behind your back."
"I was blinded by... I thought we were building a future," Cameron stammered, his face flushing crimson with humiliation. "I thought I was giving Maya a proper family. A mother figure."
"A future is not built on lies, Cameron," Dominic interrupted coldly. "In our world, weakness is forgiven, but foolishness is fatal. You brought a fraud to my table and let her humiliate the next generation of our bloodline. That is a sin against the family name."
Cameron swallowed hard, his throat dry as bone. He knew the unwritten laws of his father’s syndicate all too well. "I accept whatever punishment you deem necessary, Father."
"Good," Dominic said softly, leaning back against the bench with absolute composure. "Because effective tonight, you are stepping down from your position at the shipping ports. You will spend the next six months managing the northern timber mills in Maine—alone. No bodyguards, no luxury cars."
Cameron flinched as if struck by a physical blow. "Maine? Father, please, I have Maya—"
May you like
"Maya will stay with me," Dominic stated with utter finality, leaving no room for negotiation. "You will work with your hands, earn your keep, and learn what it truly means to build something real. Do we have an understanding?"
"Yes, Father," Cameron nodded slowly, his shoulders slumping in absolute defeat.
