Chapter 5 - The Collapse of the Cartel of CorruptionAnthony Romano did not deal in petty corporate sabotage. When someone attacked his interests—or worse, someone under his protection—he responded with the unyielding force of a freight train.
Within twenty minutes of my phone call, two black SUVs pulled up outside the municipal administration building on LaSalle Street.
Mark Rinaldi, the corrupt bureaucrat who had accepted Vance’s bribe to freeze Leo’s medical file, was sitting at his mahogany desk humming a tune, preparing to leave for lunch, when the door to his private office swung open without a knock.
Viktor stepped inside, flanked by two armed associates.
Mark turned pale, standing up so fast his rolling chair slammed into the drywall behind him. "Who... who are you? You can't just barge in here! This is a government building! I'm calling building security!"
Viktor didn't blink. He reached into his coat, pulled out a heavy titanium tablet, and dropped it squarely onto Mark’s desk.
The screen was already playing a crystal-clear, high-definition video recording of Mark sitting in a private booth at an upscale steakhouse three nights earlier, accepting a thick envelope of cash directly from Arthur Vance. Audio from the recording played softly in the silent room, capturing every incriminating word about freezing Leo Marino’s medical grant.
"That... that's an illegal recording!" Mark stammered, his knees shaking as sweat beaded across his forehead. "You can't use that! I'll report you!"
"You aren't reporting anyone, Mr. Rinaldi," Viktor said smoothly, his voice devoid of any human warmth. "You have exactly two minutes to log into the state healthcare database, reverse every single administrative hold you placed on Leo Marino’s file, and submit a permanent waiver granting the clinic unrestricted clearance."
Mark stared at the tablet, then at Viktor’s expressionless face. He reached for his keyboard with trembling fingers, typing at lightning speed. "Done! It's done! Look, the hold is removed! The system cleared it!"
Viktor glanced at his own phone as a confirmation ping chimed instantly.
"Good," Viktor said, turning toward the door. "Now, pack your desk, Mr. Rinaldi. The Department of Investigations received an anonymous tip about your departmental audit five minutes ago. You won't be needing this office anymore."
That same afternoon, Anthony Romano paid a personal visit to Arthur Vance’s primary restaurant.
It wasn't a subtle visit.
Four black sedans pulled up right outside the front entrance during the peak of the lunch rush. Anthony stepped out, wearing a charcoal wool overcoat, flanked by six of his top associates. He didn't use the service door this time. He walked straight through the main glass entrance, his boots clicking rhythmically against the polished marble floor.
Diners gasped, dropping their forks. Waiters froze in terror.
Arthur Vance, who was standing near the host stand schmoozing a group of corporate investors, turned around and saw Anthony walking directly toward him. Arthur’s face drained of every drop of color until he looked like a corpse.
"Mr... Mr. Romano," Arthur stuttered, holding out a trembling hand that nobody shook. "To what do we owe the honor? The private room is available if you—"
Anthony stopped two feet away. He didn't smile. He didn't pull out a weapon. He simply raised his hands and signed with slow, deliberate fury, while Viktor translated aloud for the entire dining room to hear.
You tried to hurt a child to settle a petty grudge against an employee.
"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Arthur lied, his voice pitching up in panic. "It was just a routine administrative check—"
Anthony raised his hand again.
Your restaurant lease is held by a shell corporation owned by my holding firm, Anthony signed, his dark eyes boring straight into Arthur's soul. As of three minutes ago, your lease has been terminated with zero days notice. Your liquor license has been revoked by the state board due to ongoing compliance violations. And your assets are currently being frozen under federal investigation for municipal bribery.
The investors standing near Arthur immediately dropped their napkins onto their tables, backed away in horror, and walked out the front door without a single word.
Arthur grabbed the edge of the host stand, his legs finally giving out. He slid down to the floor, staring up at Anthony in total, utter ruin.
"You're... you're destroying me over a waitress?" Arthur whispered, tears of absolute despair in his eyes.
May you like
Anthony looked down at him with quiet, supreme indifference.
She isn't just a waitress, Anthony signed, turning his back on the broken man. She is worth ten thousand of you.
