Chapter 9 - The Council ShowdownThe City Council chambers were packed to maximum capacity.
Dozens of reporters lined the back walls, camera lenses focused on the massive wooden dais where the city council members sat. The atmosphere was electric, feeding off the media frenzy of the last three days.
Dante Romano sat at the plaintiff’s table, looking exceptionally smug. He wore a navy pinstripe suit, his legal team whispering in his ear. He believed he had already won.
I sat at the defense table. Lucian sat right beside me, his presence alone causing the reporters to nervously adjust their collars.
The Council President banged his gavel.
"We are here to review the emergency motion filed by Mr. Dante Romano regarding the revocation of The Haven's land charter," the President announced. "Mr. Romano, the floor is yours."
Dante stood up, buttoning his jacket. He walked to the center podium, playing perfectly to the cameras.
"Members of the council," Dante began. "The Haven parades itself as a charity, but evidence has come to light that the land was acquired through violent extortion by Lucian Moretti’s criminal syndicate, utilizing Marco Vitale to forge the permits. I have a sworn witness ready to testify."
Dante gestured to the back doors.
The doors opened, but Marco Vitale did not walk in.
Instead, a team of three federal FBI agents in dark windbreakers stepped into the room.
Dante frowned. "It seems my witness has been delayed. But the financial irregularities alone—"
"Mr. Romano’s witness isn't coming," I interrupted, my voice ringing out crystal clear across the chamber.
I stood up, picking up a sleek black laptop, and walked directly to the podium, forcing Dante to step aside.
"Ms. Moretti, you are out of order!" the Council President barked.
"I am introducing evidence of a federal crime," I shot back, my gaze locking onto the President with such intensity that he physically recoiled.
I plugged a flash drive into the podium's audio system.
"Mr. Romano claims I extorted my property," I said to the silent, breathless room. "Play the audio."
A click echoed through the speakers, followed by the undeniable, recorded voice of Dante Romano.
“I don’t care if it’s a lie, Marco. You get on that stand on Friday, you swear she forced you to sign the deeds, and I’ll make sure you get the two million. Once I have the land, Lucian and his wife will be bankrupt.”
The council chamber erupted into absolute chaos. Reporters were shouting, flashbulbs were blinding.
Dante’s face turned the color of ash. "That is a fabrication! A deepfake!"
"It’s a federally authenticated recording provided voluntarily by Marco Vitale this morning," I spoke over the noise. I turned to look directly at Dante. "And while we are discussing offshore accounts, Mr. Romano, you should know that Lucian’s venture capital firm executed a hostile buyout of the Cayman bank holding your debt at 8:00 AM this morning. You don't own the development rights anymore. Lucian does."
Dante stumbled backward. He looked at Lucian.
Lucian remained seated, his hands folded on the table, a slow, terrifying, and utterly victorious smile spreading across his face. Checkmate.
The FBI agents moved down the center aisle.
"Dante Romano," the lead agent said, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. "You are under arrest for witness tampering, perjury, and federal extortion."
As Dante was dragged out of the chamber in handcuffs, the cameras rolling on his absolute destruction, I stood at the podium.
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"The Haven belongs to the people of Brooklyn," I declared, my voice echoing with absolute finality. "It is not for sale. Not today. Not ever."
I unplugged my flash drive, turned around, and walked back to my partner.
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