Chapter 18 - The Unseen Guard
Three weeks later, the crisp air of late October brought a brilliant tapestry of red and gold leaves to the Connecticut countryside.
Life at Sterling Manor had settled into a rhythm so steady and normal that it almost felt like a dream. Sophie was enrolled in a local private academy where she walked to the school bus every morning with a bright smile, her backpack zipped tight and her head held high. Caleb spent his afternoons chasing golden retrievers across the lawn with Grace trailing close behind, no longer flinching at loud noises or sudden movements.
Evan sat in his private study, reviewing reports from his global logistics network—legitimate trade agreements that kept his business empire running smoothly across Europe and Asia. The underworld of Providence was a distant memory; the Marini family had fractured beyond repair, and local officials had learned very quickly that Sterling Manor was completely off-limits to corruption.
A soft knock rattled the study door, and Marcus stepped inside, holding a thick encrypted tablet.
“Boss, intelligence feed from the Providence precinct. Don Marini officially skipped bail and fled to Palermo this morning. His syndicate assets have been completely absorbed by federal receivership.”
Evan didn't look up from his monitor, merely signing a digital document with a single click. “Let him run. As long as he stays across the Atlantic, he’s not our concern.”
“And Senator Vance?” Marcus asked, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
“Vance is facing twenty counts of wire fraud and racketeering,” Evan replied coldly. “His political career is buried deeper than his offshore accounts.”
May you like
Marcus nodded, turning to leave before pausing at the doorway. “By the way... the local police chief stopped by the front gates this morning to drop off community safety updates. He mentioned how quiet the neighborhood has been lately.”
Evan finally looked up, a faint, humorless smile touching his lips. “Tell him the groundskeeper retired permanently.”
