Chapter 7
The weight of Galen’s declaration hung heavily in the bright, airy atmosphere of the ballroom. The engagement was officially, violently terminated. The white American guests, those who were not initiated members of the syndicate, began to discreetly back toward the exits, desperate to escape the impending fallout.
Ainsley pushed herself up slightly in the chair, her fair skin flushed with a toxic mixture of profound humiliation and rising, desperate anger. She realized there was no salvaging the relationship, so she resorted to the only weapon she had left.
"You are making a catastrophic mistake, Galen!" Ainsley shrieked, her voice echoing shrilly across the marble. "My father controls the zoning commissions! He controls the ports you need for your shipments! If you humiliate me tonight, the Vale family will freeze every single one of your assets by sunrise!"
"Your father," Galen replied coldly, his voice a low, gravelly hum, "is a politician who relies on my money to stay in office. He does not control me. I own him."
"We will see about that!" Ainsley spat, struggling to stand up, but the two massive bodyguards behind her placed heavy hands on her shoulders, forcing her violently back down into the chair.
"Let her up," Galen ordered quietly.
The guards released her, stepping back a single pace. Ainsley scrambled to her feet, her elegant evening gown wrinkled and ruined. She pointed a shaking, diamond-adorned finger at the Mafia boss.
"You will regret this," Ainsley threatened, her American accent thick with venom. "You are choosing a weak, weeping child over a powerful alliance. You are a fool, Galen Moretti."
"I am a father," Galen corrected smoothly, his cold, intimidating eyes narrowing into lethal slits. "And you have exactly thirty seconds to vacate my property before I instruct my men to throw you out into the street."
"I am leaving!" Ainsley yelled, grabbing her expensive clutch from the table. She shot one final, hateful glare at little Eira. "Enjoy your miserable life with your ghost."
"Marcus. Silas," Galen commanded, not taking his eyes off the retreating woman.
The two bodyguards stepped forward instantly. "Yes, Boss."
"Escort Miss Vale to the front gates," Galen instructed, his voice dead calm. "Ensure she leaves with nothing but the clothes on her back. Any gifts presented by my family remain here. If she utters another word to my daughter, break her jaw."
May you like
"With pleasure, sir," Marcus growled.
The bodyguards flanked Ainsley, grabbing her firmly by the arms. They hauled the screaming, thrashing woman out of the bright, cinematic light of the ballroom. Her high heels scraped loudly against the floorboards as she was dragged down the long corridor, her frantic threats echoing until the heavy mahogany doors finally slammed shut, cutting off the noise entirely.
