Chapter 10 - THE NEW FOUNDATION
The lettering on the embossed card glittered softly under the morning sunlight pouring through the crystal chandelier.
> **MORETTI HOLDINGS FOUNDATION**
> *Chief Executive Director of Family Welfare & Community Operations*
> **Appointed:** *Hannah Collins*
My breath caught in my throat.
I stared at the card, then up at Luca, my eyes wide with sheer disbelief.
“Mr. Moretti... I—I don't understand,” I stammered, the words tumbling over each other.
“Head of... the foundation?”
“But I’m just a housekeeper.”
“I don't have a business degree. I don't know anything about corporate management or philanthropy!”
Luca smiled—a warm, genuine expression that transformed his rugged features completely.
Making him look younger and infinitely more relaxed than he had all week.
“You don't need a business degree to run a foundation that helps people, Hannah,” Luca said quietly, resting his arms on the table.
“What you have is empathy, courage, and a moral compass that isn't for sale.”
“Last night, forty wealthy, educated people sat in this room and said nothing while my family was being torn apart.”
“You were the only one who risked everything to do what was right.”
Sofia leaned forward across the table, her eyes shining with unshed tears of gratitude.
“Please say yes, Hannah,” Sofia urged gently.
“The old foundation was run by people like Victor Vance and Vanessa Bellini—cold, greedy vultures who used charity as a tax write-off.”
“We need someone with a real heart to oversee the family’s community outreach programs, medical assistance funds, and family support networks across Chicago.”
Teresa looked up from holding baby Elena, her aged face beaming with pride.
“My son is right, sweetheart,” the old woman nodded firmly.
“You kept this family together when we were falling apart.”
“You deserve a seat at this table, not just in the kitchen.”
I looked down at the embossed card in my hands, then at the three of them.
A powerful mafia boss, his restored sister, a joyful grandmother, and a tiny newborn baby girl resting peacefully in a hand-knitted yellow sweater.
The crushing weight of debt, worry, and fear that had suffocated me for years suddenly vanished into thin air.
“I... I accept,” I whispered, a tear slipping down my cheek as I smiled through the emotion.
“Thank you. Thank you all.”
“Good,” Luca said, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my pulse race in an entirely new way.
“Then let’s celebrate.”
“Mrs. Gable prepared your favorite pastries for breakfast, and we have a lot of work to do starting tomorrow.”
May you like
The dining room erupted into warm, easy laughter—a sound of genuine joy that hadn't echoed within these stone walls in over a decade.
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