Chapter 19 - The Foundation
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The tension of the Dante Rossi meeting faded, replaced by the warm hum of domestic life.
Lily had been spending long hours in her personal office.
She was surrounded by legal pads, architectural blueprints, and endless cups of coffee.
Victor watched her from the doorway one evening.
She was entirely focused, biting the end of her pen.
“You are working harder than I am,” Victor noted, stepping into the room.
Lily looked up and smiled, rubbing her tired eyes.
“I am trying to finalize the permits. The city council is dragging their feet.”
Victor walked over and looked at the papers spread across her desk.
It was the Blackwood Hope Foundation.
Lily’s dream.
A massive community center and shelter planned for the city's most vulnerable district.
“They are stalling because they want a bribe,” Victor said simply.
“I know,” Lily sighed. “But I refuse to do business that way. This foundation has to be clean. It has to represent the future, not the past.”
Victor admired her unwavering moral compass.
It was the very thing that had saved his soul.
“Let me make a phone call,” Victor offered.
“No threats, Victor,” she warned, pointing the pen at him.
“No threats,” Victor promised, raising his hands in surrender. “Just a friendly conversation about civic duty.”
The next morning, Victor arranged a meeting with the head of the zoning committee.
They met at a quiet coffee shop downtown.
The councilman was nervous, sweating slightly in his expensive suit.
“Mr. Blackwood, we are reviewing your wife's application. It just takes time.”
Victor stirred his coffee slowly.
“My wife wants to build a center that will feed and educate hundreds of children. She wants to do it legally, beautifully, and without your usual… fees.”
The councilman swallowed hard.
“There are protocols.”
“Here is the new protocol,” Victor leaned closer. “You will approve her permits by tomorrow afternoon. In return, I will heavily fund your re-election campaign next year. Completely legally.”
The councilman blinked, surprised by the legitimate offer.
“That is… very generous.”
“It is an investment,” Victor corrected. “I am investing in my wife's happiness. Do not disappoint me.”
When Victor returned home, Lily was standing in the kitchen, holding an official letter.
She looked absolutely radiant.
“They approved it!” Lily cheered, throwing her arms around his neck. “I don't know how, but the city expedited everything!”
Victor held her tightly, breathing in the scent of her hair.
“You deserve it,” he whispered.
May you like
He didn't need to break the law to give his wife the world.
He just needed to use his power to clear her path.
