Chapter 71

• || VINCENZO's POV ||
• The private room in the upscale restaurant was dimly lit, casting long shadows on the walls lined with expensive art. The scent of rich leather and fine cigars filled the air, mixing with the faint aroma of the exquisite meal we had just finished. It was a meeting like any other, yet the stakes were higher than usual. This was no ordinary business dinner; I was negotiating terms with a foreign Mafia gang, and the atmosphere was thick with unspoken threats and alliances.
• Kayla, my trusted aide, sat beside me, her eyes sharp and attentive. She was always a steady presence, her keen mind and quick thinking invaluable in situations like this. As the meeting progressed, I found myself relying on her more than usual, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the room.