Chapter 17 - Dismantling the Empire
Two weeks later.
Damian was discharged from the hospital, walking with a heavy cane, his left arm immobilized in a dark sling.
Instead of returning to a luxury estate or booking a private jet, he signed the final legal papers prepared by Marco inside a small lawyer's office in downtown Portland.
Claire sat across the desk, watching the proceedings.
"Confirming the instructions, Mr. Moretti," the senior corporate attorney stated, adjusting his glasses. "You are officially transferring ninety percent of your liquid capital—approximately one hundred and eighty million dollars—into an irrevocable public charity trust dedicated to maternal and infant healthcare infrastructure across the United States."
"Correct," Damian said, signing his name in dark black ink.
"And the remaining real estate assets in Chicago?"
"Sell them," Damian ordered calmly. "The penthouse, the Lake Forest estate, the commercial fleets. Every cent from those sales will be deposited into the trust fund under the name The Leo Moretti Infant Care Foundation."
The attorney nodded, stunned by the sheer magnitude of the wealth being surrendered with a single stroke of a pen.
Damian turned to Marco, who stood near the window wearing a plain gray suit instead of his usual tactical gear.
"Marco," Damian said softly. "You're a free man. Your accounts have been settled with enough capital to retire anywhere in the world."
Marco looked at Damian, his eyes shining with deep respect and sadness. He bowed his head slightly. "It was an honor serving you, Damian. Take care of yourself."
Marco shook Damian's hand, nodded respectfully to Claire, and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.
The Moretti syndicate was no more. The empire had been dismantled, sold, and reborn into a shield for helpless children.
May you like
Damian turned to Claire. He held out a small envelope.
"This is the deed to the quiet house on the cliff two miles north of Harbor Cove," Damian said gently. "It’s registered completely in your name, Claire. No debt. No ties to me. You can sell it, live in it, or burn it down. It’s yours."
