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The Waitress Who Saw the Spark Beneath the Table, And the Mob Boss Whose Life She Saved from the Ashes / Chapter 10 / 10

Chapter 10 - A New Dawn at Ilbastion

Three months later, the spring sun was shining brightly over the cobblestone streets of the city, warming the sidewalk outside a newly renovated, beautifully restored restaurant bearing the familiar gold lettering: Ilbastion.

The grand reopening had been the talk of the city for weeks. The dining room was buzzing with life, filled with sophisticated diners, soft jazz music, and the rich, comforting aromas of Chef Rossy’s famous risotto and fresh Italian herbs.

Behind the mahogany service station stood Ruby.

She wore a crisp, clean white apron with no frayed cuffs, and her posture was tall, confident, and completely at ease. She smiled warmly as she poured sparkling water for a regular table, her hands steady and strong.

The front doors swung open, and the familiar, commanding presence of Valente Carmine entered the room.

He wore a tailored dark suit, his silver-threaded hair catching the afternoon light, but instead of the cold, unapproachable aura he used to carry, there was a relaxed warmth in his expression as he caught Ruby's eye.

He didn't go to booth four—that corner booth had been replaced by a beautiful floral display in honor of the restaurant's rebirth. Instead, Valente walked toward a quiet corner table near the front window.

As Ruby walked over with a leather menu and a smile, Valente looked up at her, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners with genuine respect.

"Afternoon, Ruby," Valente said softly, his voice warm. "How are the arches holding up today?"

Ruby laughed, a bright, genuine sound that echoed softly across the dining room floor.

"Much better than they used to, Mr. Carmine," Ruby replied, setting the menu down smoothly on the table. "Much better indeed."

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"Good," Valente said, sliding a small, elegant white envelope next to the silverware—a college fund scholarship grant fully paid in full for her younger sister's education, delivered quietly without a word of fanfare. "Because I expect you to be running this entire floor very soon."

Ruby looked down at the envelope, then back up at Valente, her heart full of a quiet, hard-earned peace. The storm had finally passed, and for the first time in nine years on the floor, Ruby knew she wasn't just surviving the city—she owned her place in it.

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