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The First Clue
Last Updated:
2025-03-11 23:53:51
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Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Lazy Afternoon
LAUREN “Just kidding.” Enzo said playfully grabbing my hand. “Let's go back home.” A few days later, we stayed indoors while Enzo worked. He didn't leave the house for even a second and I could hear him whispering on the phone all day. Sometimes, he was frustrated while sometimes, he was just quiet. Sitting down in the living room, I could tell something was up. I just didn't know how to approach him. The first painting's encryption had been creaked. Soon, all the others would be creaked as well. By then, what happens? “ What are you thinking about?” Enzo appeared dressed in casual joggers and an old t-shirt. He was suspecting me, I knew. “ Just sorting all these taxes. Sam was supposed to do them but she is currently busy with her father’s birthday party and I don't understand a single thing. I just did the art.” I smiled. Enzo studied me for a moment, his sharp gaze unreadable. Then, he walked over and sat beside me on the couch, resting his forearms on his knees. “Let me see,
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Friend in Need
Grabbing my coat, I slipped out of the house without telling Enzo. If he knew I was going out alone, he’d probably stop me, and I didn’t have the energy to argue. Walking out into the living room, I glanced around checking for Enzo. He was nowhere in sight. Heading to the glass table, I reached out grabbing one of the car keys and sliding it into my pocket. I arrived at the shop and switched off the engine. The shop was just in sight so I could walk down and quickly grab Sam's gift. Getting out of the car, I quickened my pace about you open the shop when a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pressing me against a solid chest. The scent of cologne was familiar, disgusting. “Lauren,” a voice rasped against my ear.My blood turned to ice as I heard the voice. Sylas.“Miss me, darling?” Sylas asked, his grip tightening around my hand. Panic surged through me immediately. I fought trying to free myself from his grip but he was stronger. A cold blade pressed against my ribs making me fr
Last Updated : 2025-03-13Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Defiance in Front Of The Mafia King
“What? You want me to go and talk to the Riccardi family? Are you f**king with me?” Rafael asked as he stared at both of us. I gripped Sam’s hand tightly. “You're a lawyer. Surely there is something you can do.” Rafael glanced at Sam. They had never met before but I knew he would help her. “ I think we should inform Enzo first. The Ricciardi's are not just people that you can go and meet. They are ruthless. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to explain to Enzo.” Rafael said. Sam sobbed catching my attention. Folding my arms, I sighed, frustration building in my chest. “Rafael, please. Sam’s family doesn’t have time. If Enzo finds out, he'll handle this his way, and we both know what that means.”Rafael’s jaw tightened. He knew exactly what I meant. Enzo didn’t negotiate, he used force. The Ricciardi's and the Santoro's have been at war with each other. A confrontation right now would be problematic. Sam wiped her tears, looking between us. “Please you have to help me. I'
Last Updated : 2025-03-13Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Lover and a Traitor
ENZO“I….I..” Lauren started as she stared at her hand. She was in utmost shock that she had dared to slap me. She was afraid. Walking towards her, I clenched my hand backing her until she fell on the couch. “ Did you just dare to slap me? Have I pampered you too much?” I asked. Lauren swallowed pressing her hand deep into the couch. Her silence irritated me. Leaning down over her, I used one hand to grip the couch while I fisted a bunch of her hair making her yell in pain. Her eyes held my gaze. I wanted to break that fiery gaze in her eyes. Seems like the soft approach was definitely not going to work anymore. “ Answer me!” Her breath hitched as I yanked her hair tighter, forcing her head back until her neck arched. A sharp gasp left her lips, her fingers digging into the couch.“ Next time you do this again, you won't like the outcome. Do you understand?” I asked staring into her eyes as if I was searching for something. Watching her nod, I let go of her hair turning my back
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Lover and A Traitor (2)
I arrived at the venue Dante had chosen. I wasn't afraid to walk into the lion's den alone or even the valley of death. Entering inside the private lounge, I glanced around spotting other people around. Nothing seemed out of place but I couldn't be sure. Dante was a slithering snake and his family were a bunch of psychopaths. Good thing, I was the king of psychopaths. I spotted Dante sitting at the corner. The place was dark just how he liked it. Dante liked to mess with people's minds. Just as I was about to go and meet him, I got stopped by one of his bodyguards. “ Is this how you treat the King of the Italian Mafia, Dante? Where is your respect?” I asked staring at him. Dante opened his eyes staring at him. Getting up, he walked up to me without a word and brought out a gun. I didn't flinch or show any sign of reaction at all. Suddenly, he aimed it at the bodyguard stopping me and shot. My eyes darted down watching as th bodyguard fell to the ground. “ Sorry for thinconvenienc
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Claimed by the Devil
LAUREN“Just a cat,” Enzo said sounding frustrated as he closed the door. Seeing him act so infuriated, I chuckled lightly covering my mouth the moment he turned to look at me. Reaching for one of the plates, I pretended to be serving some food. “Let's eat,” I said avoiding his gaze as he walked back to the table. ““If that cat wasn’t so cute, I would’ve shot it,” Enzo muttered, loosening his tie as he sat down.I rolled my eyes, placing a plate in front of him. “You really have a one-track mind, don’t you? Always ready to kill something.”He smirked, picking up his fork. “It’s a habit.”I sat across from him, twirling my pasta as the silence stretched between us. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t exactly easy either. The weight of what had just happened. His kiss, the way I hadn’t pulled away, everything still lingered in the air. I wasn’t sure what it meant. Or if it meant anything at all.“You’re staring,” Enzo murmured, not looking up from his plate.I blinked, quickly ave
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Into the Lion's Den
“He said that? Enzo Santoro said that to you?” Jake asked before bursting out laughing. I nodded my head before reaching for my cup of coffee. I still had no idea where those paintings were and it was killing me. Enzo had not said anything either to me about what he found on the docks. He said he was in love with me but who knows if it was just a lie? “ What's wrong?” Jake asked noticing how quiet I had gotten. I sighed, staring into my coffee as if it held the answers I needed. “I just don’t know what to believe anymore,” I admitted. “He hasn’t said a word about what he found at the docks, and I still have no idea where those paintings are.”Jake’s amusement faded. “You think he’s lying?”I shrugged my shoulders leaning back. I had no idea what to believe anymore. My phone buzzed, and I reached for it, thinking it was Enzo. My eyes widened as I saw Don Alonzo's name at the bottom of the text. “ It's Don Alonzo. He says he wants to see me.” I said showing the message to Jake. “ D
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Betrayal and the Chase
LAUREN"Come on, Sylas, I would never hurt your mother, let alone push her down the stairs. I love her. I love you," I said softly, my voice trembling as I tried to reach him, to make him see the truth. But Sylas didn’t move, his expression cold and unyielding.Suddenly, a sharp slap stung my face, the sound ringing out like a gunshot in the quiet house. My cheek burned as I knelt there, stunned. Sylas had hit me. And Taylor? She just stood there with smug satisfaction. I couldn't believe it. My husband whom I had loved so much had slapped me because of Taylor. It was her fault. She had lied to him. Made him believe that I pushed his mother down the stairs but it wasn't true.“Are you saying Taylor’s lying? She’s your older sister. Why would she lie about something like this?” Sylas demanded as Taylor busted out crying.She leaned against him, her head on his shoulder, playing the victim while Sylas comforted her, stroking her hair. They thought they had fooled me, but I wasn’t blind.
Last Updated : 2025-01-17
Latest chapter
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Into the Lion's Den
“He said that? Enzo Santoro said that to you?” Jake asked before bursting out laughing. I nodded my head before reaching for my cup of coffee. I still had no idea where those paintings were and it was killing me. Enzo had not said anything either to me about what he found on the docks. He said he was in love with me but who knows if it was just a lie? “ What's wrong?” Jake asked noticing how quiet I had gotten. I sighed, staring into my coffee as if it held the answers I needed. “I just don’t know what to believe anymore,” I admitted. “He hasn’t said a word about what he found at the docks, and I still have no idea where those paintings are.”Jake’s amusement faded. “You think he’s lying?”I shrugged my shoulders leaning back. I had no idea what to believe anymore. My phone buzzed, and I reached for it, thinking it was Enzo. My eyes widened as I saw Don Alonzo's name at the bottom of the text. “ It's Don Alonzo. He says he wants to see me.” I said showing the message to Jake. “ D
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Claimed by the Devil
LAUREN“Just a cat,” Enzo said sounding frustrated as he closed the door. Seeing him act so infuriated, I chuckled lightly covering my mouth the moment he turned to look at me. Reaching for one of the plates, I pretended to be serving some food. “Let's eat,” I said avoiding his gaze as he walked back to the table. ““If that cat wasn’t so cute, I would’ve shot it,” Enzo muttered, loosening his tie as he sat down.I rolled my eyes, placing a plate in front of him. “You really have a one-track mind, don’t you? Always ready to kill something.”He smirked, picking up his fork. “It’s a habit.”I sat across from him, twirling my pasta as the silence stretched between us. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t exactly easy either. The weight of what had just happened. His kiss, the way I hadn’t pulled away, everything still lingered in the air. I wasn’t sure what it meant. Or if it meant anything at all.“You’re staring,” Enzo murmured, not looking up from his plate.I blinked, quickly ave
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Lover and A Traitor (2)
I arrived at the venue Dante had chosen. I wasn't afraid to walk into the lion's den alone or even the valley of death. Entering inside the private lounge, I glanced around spotting other people around. Nothing seemed out of place but I couldn't be sure. Dante was a slithering snake and his family were a bunch of psychopaths. Good thing, I was the king of psychopaths. I spotted Dante sitting at the corner. The place was dark just how he liked it. Dante liked to mess with people's minds. Just as I was about to go and meet him, I got stopped by one of his bodyguards. “ Is this how you treat the King of the Italian Mafia, Dante? Where is your respect?” I asked staring at him. Dante opened his eyes staring at him. Getting up, he walked up to me without a word and brought out a gun. I didn't flinch or show any sign of reaction at all. Suddenly, he aimed it at the bodyguard stopping me and shot. My eyes darted down watching as th bodyguard fell to the ground. “ Sorry for thinconvenienc
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Lover and a Traitor
ENZO“I….I..” Lauren started as she stared at her hand. She was in utmost shock that she had dared to slap me. She was afraid. Walking towards her, I clenched my hand backing her until she fell on the couch. “ Did you just dare to slap me? Have I pampered you too much?” I asked. Lauren swallowed pressing her hand deep into the couch. Her silence irritated me. Leaning down over her, I used one hand to grip the couch while I fisted a bunch of her hair making her yell in pain. Her eyes held my gaze. I wanted to break that fiery gaze in her eyes. Seems like the soft approach was definitely not going to work anymore. “ Answer me!” Her breath hitched as I yanked her hair tighter, forcing her head back until her neck arched. A sharp gasp left her lips, her fingers digging into the couch.“ Next time you do this again, you won't like the outcome. Do you understand?” I asked staring into her eyes as if I was searching for something. Watching her nod, I let go of her hair turning my back
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Defiance in Front Of The Mafia King
“What? You want me to go and talk to the Riccardi family? Are you f**king with me?” Rafael asked as he stared at both of us. I gripped Sam’s hand tightly. “You're a lawyer. Surely there is something you can do.” Rafael glanced at Sam. They had never met before but I knew he would help her. “ I think we should inform Enzo first. The Ricciardi's are not just people that you can go and meet. They are ruthless. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to explain to Enzo.” Rafael said. Sam sobbed catching my attention. Folding my arms, I sighed, frustration building in my chest. “Rafael, please. Sam’s family doesn’t have time. If Enzo finds out, he'll handle this his way, and we both know what that means.”Rafael’s jaw tightened. He knew exactly what I meant. Enzo didn’t negotiate, he used force. The Ricciardi's and the Santoro's have been at war with each other. A confrontation right now would be problematic. Sam wiped her tears, looking between us. “Please you have to help me. I'
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Friend in Need
Grabbing my coat, I slipped out of the house without telling Enzo. If he knew I was going out alone, he’d probably stop me, and I didn’t have the energy to argue. Walking out into the living room, I glanced around checking for Enzo. He was nowhere in sight. Heading to the glass table, I reached out grabbing one of the car keys and sliding it into my pocket. I arrived at the shop and switched off the engine. The shop was just in sight so I could walk down and quickly grab Sam's gift. Getting out of the car, I quickened my pace about you open the shop when a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pressing me against a solid chest. The scent of cologne was familiar, disgusting. “Lauren,” a voice rasped against my ear.My blood turned to ice as I heard the voice. Sylas.“Miss me, darling?” Sylas asked, his grip tightening around my hand. Panic surged through me immediately. I fought trying to free myself from his grip but he was stronger. A cold blade pressed against my ribs making me fr
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Lazy Afternoon
LAUREN “Just kidding.” Enzo said playfully grabbing my hand. “Let's go back home.” A few days later, we stayed indoors while Enzo worked. He didn't leave the house for even a second and I could hear him whispering on the phone all day. Sometimes, he was frustrated while sometimes, he was just quiet. Sitting down in the living room, I could tell something was up. I just didn't know how to approach him. The first painting's encryption had been creaked. Soon, all the others would be creaked as well. By then, what happens? “ What are you thinking about?” Enzo appeared dressed in casual joggers and an old t-shirt. He was suspecting me, I knew. “ Just sorting all these taxes. Sam was supposed to do them but she is currently busy with her father’s birthday party and I don't understand a single thing. I just did the art.” I smiled. Enzo studied me for a moment, his sharp gaze unreadable. Then, he walked over and sat beside me on the couch, resting his forearms on his knees. “Let me see,
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The First Clue
The night air was crisp against my skin as I stepped out of the wheelchair, phone pressed to my ear. Lauren stood a few feet away, watching me with a mix of curiosity and concern. I should be wary of her but right now, all I could focus on was Leonardo’s voice.“The encryption was cracked?” I repeated, keeping my tone even, though my pulse quickened.“Yes,” Leonardo confirmed. “It wasn’t easy, but we found something.”I gripped the phone tighter. “Explain.”“There was a set of numbers hidden in the painting,” Leonardo said. “At first, we thought they were nothing, but they match old nautical coordinates.”“Coordinates to where?” I asked.“A location tied to a smuggling route from decades ago. It was used by the Italian family in the 1900’s. Probably back when your grandfather was still active. The route was super safe until when the government discovered it.” A smuggling route. My jaw tightened. What could it mean? “ Have you sent people to take a look at it?” I asked running my han
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Revealed Identity
ENZO “ Lauren,” Jake called out making Lauren turn to him. Annoying b**tard. I tried to keep my gaze neutral as the chatter around us went on but it was impossible to miss the way Jake was practically begging for Lauren's attention. I stared at Sylas instead. His wounds seemed to have healed. I would have loved to do more than scare him like I did last time but he had gone underground like a coward. “ Lauren, what's going on? Don't tell me that both men are here because of you. Isn't this your CEO boyfriend?” Taylor asked. Sylas's face betrayed his thoughts. He was jealous. I could see the way he was clenching his hand slightly. He still had no idea that I was Enzo Santoro. “ I have no idea what you're talking but so what if they are? You should be more concerned about yourself.” Lauren shot back. I glanced slightly at her. She had been about to leave when she bumped into me. Was it because of Taylor? I knew that she would have a difficult time but she had still assured m
