CHAPTER 301
Ellis Barker disembarked from the car provided by Kenji Ito, holding a black folder in her hands, ready to face the members of the Commission. Enrico Turin, Lorenzo Gerevini, Giovanni Cordopatri, Luigi Gallo, and Stefano Gattone were already waiting for her in the Commission building. Led into the meeting room, where everyone was gathered, she was met with serious and skeptical expressions.
Luigi Gallo, with a stern expression, expressed his discontent: “Meetings of this kind are not the Commission's practice, especially for the ex-wife of a mafioso like Vittorio.”
Ellis, maintaining her composure, replied: “I understand that this is an exception, courtesy of President Angelo Messina.”
Stefano Gattone intervened, clearly showing his disagreement: “I do not agree with her presence here.”
Ellis, facing Stefano, calmly asserted: “I know I'm not your favorite person, Mr. Gattone, but I believe that, over time, you will see that our interests can align.”
Giovanni Cordopatri questioned firmly: “What is your objective here, Mrs. Smith?”
Ellis explained with determination: “Please, call me Miss Barker. I am here to request that the Commission recognize me as Donna, the leader of the Amorielle family. With Vittorio's death, I became the legal guardian of Jake, the next in line of succession. And, as he is still a minor, this responsibility falls to me.”
Stefano retorted: “Jake is my grandson. Leadership should be with me.”
Ellis replied with conviction: “With all due respect, Mr. Gattone, you are the grandfather, but I am the legal guardian. I need to be recognized as an equal by the other members of organizations around the world.”
Stefano countered, “We can't simply ignore bloodline.”
“You are not part of the family, Miss Barker. Why should we accept your claims?” Luigi questioned, crossing his arms.
Enrico Turin intervened, supporting Alessandro's position: “Alessandro has made a similar request, and we are inclined to help him.”
“Miss Barker, we have to consider all options before making a decision. We cannot act hastily,” Giovanni Cordopatri advised, seeking to maintain calm.
Ellis, firm, replied: “I haven't presented all the reasons why I deserve to be Donna. I ask for the opportunity to do so.”
Giovanni, challenging, said: “Show us then why you should lead the Amorielle family.”
Ellis smiled confidently. “I believe that, by knowing my approach and plans, you will see that I am prepared to lead.”
Ellis opened the folder and unfolded relevant information about each Commission member. Every detail, every weak link, every point of vulnerability was exposed. The Commission members faced their truths, wide-eyed with unexpected surprise.
Ellis, with a serene expression, said, “Now, please evaluate the information and make a wise choice. And, of course, if I may be so bold, I would like the decision to be unanimous, for the sake of stability and the respect for tradition that the Commission has always valued... in my favor.”
Silence filled the room as the Commission members processed the information. Giovanni Cordopatri, the first to speak, addressed the others: “Can we begin?”
Luigi Gallo was the first to speak: “My vote is yes.”
Enrico Turin followed: “I also vote yes.”
Giovanni Cordopatri, the initial skeptic, stated: “My vote is yes.”
Lorenzo Gerevini added his vote: “Yes.”
Stefano Gattone, glaring at Ellis with disdain, finally declared: “Yes.”
Ellis, hearing the unanimous votes, smiled gratefully: “Thank you all for recognizing my leadership. I am truly grateful.”
Stefano, still annoyed, commented: “If I were in your place, I wouldn't be so content. You've shown all your cards, and now we know what you have.”
Ellis, maintaining her serene posture, replied: “Have I really shown all the cards, Stefano? Sometimes, the game is just beginning.”
Lorenzo, interrupting the tension, announced: “The vote is closed. You are dismissed, Donna Barker.”
Ellis, with an intriguing smile, retorted: “Actually, I have one more request.”
***
Ellis Barker, satisfied, walked down the corridor when a male voice broke the silence. It was Giovanni Cordopatri, one of the Commission members.
“You did well, Miss Barker,” Giovanni said, approaching with a smile.
Ellis thanked him, still maintaining her confident demeanor. “I'm glad you recognized the importance of this vote.”
Giovanni approached further and commented, “Indeed, you did a remarkable job. However, unlike the others, I'm not surprised by what you presented.”
Curious, Ellis questioned, “Really? And why is that?”
Giovanni replied casually, “I had seen these files before. In fact, I was the one who collected them.”
Ellis, crossing her arms, admitted, “Congratulations on the work, then.”
Giovanni smiled, revealing his game: “Guess who requested this information?”
Ellis kept an unwavering expression. “We both know very well who it was. Goodbye, Mr. Cordopatri.”
Giovanni insisted provocatively, “You should be grateful to me, Miss Barker. I introduced Domenico Wild to Vittorio Amorielle, and that's how he ended up at Wild Bank and met you.”
Ellis, maintaining her firm posture, sarcastically thanked him. “Well, then, thank you for that too.”
Giovanni warned, “Nothing is by chance, Ellis Barker. Make it count.” With a final smile, he walked away, leaving Ellis reflecting on how Vittorio's decisions in the past had led her to that moment.
***
At the airport in Sicily, Angelo Messina awaited the arrival of his private jet, dressed in elegant casual attire and sunglasses that accentuated his imposing posture. The evening sun cast a golden hue over the scene.
Finally, the aircraft landed, and from its hatch descended Ellis Barker, the new leader of the Amorielle family. She walked toward Angelo, maintaining a calm expression. As she approached, Messina smiled, greeting her.
“Welcome,” he greeted, hesitating. “I'm not sure how I should address you now. Miss Barker, Donna Amorielle, or Donna Barker?”
Ellis responded lightly, “Call me whatever you prefer, Angelo. It's not crucial to me.”
Messina stared at her, then changed the conversation's tone. “You should have shared your plans with the Commission. It would have been easier for all of us.”
Ellis questioned, perceptive, “And why would I do that? For you to raise the stakes for your help?”
Messina laughed casually. “You don't even know what I was going to ask.”
Curious, Ellis inquired, “So, what do you want in exchange for the Commission meeting?”
Messina, with an enigmatic smile, revealed his request: “Now that you are the leader of the Amorielle, I want you to gather each of the family associates.”
Ellis, surprised, questioned, “Why on earth would I do that?”
Messina calmly explained, “Because the place we are going is not very receptive.”
Ellis, curious, asked, “Where are we going?”
Messina, with a slight smile, replied, “Kurgan. I'm sure you want to visit the Kurganskaya Bratva, old associates of Giacomo Grecco.”
Ellis raised an eyebrow, pondering the proposal. “And what do you gain from this?”
Messina explained, “Information, alliances, agreements. And, of course, ensuring that your visit is successful.”
Ellis nodded, understanding the complexity of the proposal. “Alright. I'll gather the associates. When do we leave?”
Messina looked at the horizon. “Right now.”
Ellis agreed, ready to face the challenges ahead. The sun began to set as they headed towards the jet, preparing for a journey that could redefine the balance of power in the underworld.