CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE – WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

Alessandro guided her through the crowd, making introductions. "Everyone, this is Joan Keppler. She's been instrumental in our recent... financial innovations." Don Felice approached, his weathered face breaking into a rare smile. "Ah, the famous Joan." Joan swallowed hard. "It's an honor, Don Felice." The old man's eyes twinkled. "The honor is mine. Alessandro tells me you have quite the head for business. Perhaps you can explain this Lighthouse Protocol to our associates?" Joan glanced at Alessandro, who nodded encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, she launched into her explanation. As she spoke, she could see the interest growing in the eyes of the other family heads. One portly man in an ill-fitting suit leaned forward. "And you're saying this system is undetectable?" Joan nodded. "When implemented correctly, yes. It adapts to the natural flow of a legitimate business, making it nearly impossible to distinguish from normal operations." Murmurs of approval rippled through the