Chapter 16 - The Lost Empire|
By morning, Chicago was consumed by chaos.
The news outlets reported a massive fire at the Vance Grand Residence on the sixtieth floor, along with a deadly shootout at Midway Airport. The Castiglione family declared victory over the docks, but their triumph was hollow.
Every bank account tied to the Vance empire had been completely wiped clean overnight—over three hundred million dollars transferred into untraceable offshore trusts.
Arthur Lynwood had disappeared into the custody of the Castiglione enforcers, his fate sealed in the dark basements of the South Side.
Meanwhile, three hundred miles south, a unmarked black SUV pulled into the driveway of a secluded stone cottage nestled deep within the foggy hills of Southern Indiana.
The cottage was surrounded by dense pine forests, completely hidden from air surveillance, equipped with independent solar power and satellite defenses.
Silas opened the door, stepping out into the crisp, clean morning air.
He walked around to my side, opening the door and holding out his hand.
I took his fingers, stepping out onto the gravel driveway. The air smelled of damp pine, fresh earth, and woodsmoke—a stark contrast to the iron and bleach of the penthouse.
"Welcome home, Clara," Silas said softly.
I looked up at the quiet stone house, a deep sense of peace washing over me for the first time in five years.
May you like
"It's quiet," I whispered.
"It's yours," Silas replied, wrapping his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder as we looked at our new sanctuary.
