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" Cousin sister ! Cousin sister ! " said a sweet tone .

Antonia could recognize this kind of sweet , cheerful and mostly fake voice tone of her uncle's daughter . She braced herself together and looked at her with a gentle expression .

" Annette ! I have been waiting for you . You asked to meet . What were you going to tell me ? " said Antonia with a lovely smile .

Antonia never had a good relationship with her family . All her cousins , uncles and elders hated her . The only one who truly loved her , was only her mother . Her father was cold to her because she was a girl but he looked as if he loved her in silence . He remained neutral when she got punished or bullied for no reason . He neither protected her nor scolded her . Her mother had a difficult pregnancy with Antonia and as a result, her father decided to not have any more kids , fearing that he may lose his wife . Despite him treating her as nothing more than thin air , Antonia was happy that her father loved her mother deeply . She was highly affected by their love and often dreamed of the day she would meet the other half that would give her the same amount of love .  Among the children in the family Antonia was the most intelligent and capable child . Her abilities and uniqueness only drove the enemies closer while increasing the jealousy and hate of the other family members . Although she was special , she was doomed to keep her abilities to herself as she was the eldest granddaughter of mr Donovan Landar , the head of one of the classic old rich families in Italy . The Landar family was quite powerful and wealthy but with strict rules . Only males were allowed to succeed the family and among the children , only the smartest one was chosen as the heir . Girls on the other hand were raised to be educated properly and learn how to do minimal tasks that could make them assist their future husbands . Girls enjoyed more freedom in going to places more than the boys who had to study all day . The only purpose of the girls was to spend money freely and prepare to be perfect brode candidates which would strengthen the ties between powerful families through marriage . The only one who couldn't adapt to this rule was Antonia . She didn't find pleasure in dresses or shiny shoes . Instead , she found pleasure in studying economics , politics , swordsmanship , fighting lessons that the boys would do . She would often skip classes to sneakily watch the training of the boys . From afar , she would take notes and practice the fighting skills . Her mother noticed that her daughter was interested in the boy's training more than needed . One day when she went to check on her daughter in her room , she opened the closet and saw the three new dresses that arrived for the banquet torn apart . After questioning Antonia , she learned that she has torn the dresses apart herself . She felt as if the dresses were suffocating her like heavy chains and that she would only wear pants from now on . She was shocked to see the determination of Antonia to not behave like a girl as a threat to her future . She started to fear that her daughter may have a bad ending for not listening to her grandfather and not obeying the rules of the house so she decided to look for a suitor for her .  Antonia hated the idea but her mother was the only person who truly loved her and for her sake, she decided to comply with her wishes . After going to the party , Antonia stayed around the hall for only half an hour then went to the balcony with a tray with food and a glass of wine . She thought that it was better for her to stay hidden in the balcony until the party ended than going around with Annette mocking her openly in front of others . She couldn't even talk back or she would be punished . At the balcony a simple accident made her meet a boy who would make her discover the real meaning of butterflies in the stomach . The boy was also escaping from the party , just like Antonia and both of them started to chat and laugh . After the party, they met a few times coincidentally at other events as well . One day , a bunch of luxurious cars came to the mansion of the Landar family . Everyone was confused as to who it was but when Antonia saw the boy coming out of the car was the boy she had met with a few times . He wasn't a simple person but the already chosen heir to the powerful Danados family . A classic family that was higher in status than the Landar family . The boy who only became her boyfriend a week ago was one of the most desired bachelors . Antonia couldn't believe it when he went straight to her and got on one knee , presenting an expensive diamond ring . . The servants came out of the car and presented expensive wedding gifts to the shocked mr Donovan and the other family members who were burning with envy , especially her cousin Annette who had set her sight on the boy for some time . Antonia couldn't believe that her dream of finding the one she loved who would take her away from there actually appeared . She agreed to the proposal and after four months the wedding ceremony arrangements were made . Everything seemed perfect for Antonia . The jealous people had to keep their mouths shut and the hypocritical ones would start praising her to gain her favor . Even her family started to treat her with the respect she deserved as a lady from a wealthy family . The plates in front of her which were often filled with leftover food , were now filled with the best dishes . Antonia felt pleased with the situation but there was something troubling her . It was her fiancé hanging out with her cousin Annette more than needed but then she kept telling herself that it was normal to hang out with her so-called family members . Antonia never told him about the real situation and her real position in the family , fearing that he may be disappointed in her . After the wedding finished and they got married , she would tell him all that they had done to her . Including Annette trying to burn her face once because she was jealous of Antonia's beauty . With the wedding approaching , the happy atmosphere grew . Mr Donovan even started to treat Antonia better . Everyone in the family started to change their attitude towards her . Antonia knew that they changed their attitude because she was going to marry a good husband but she sincerely hoped that she could get along with them .

Just when Antonia thought that she would finally have her happy ending after facing all those neglecting and cold glares , Annette has a wicked plan on her mind that would change the course of the story at the last minute . A plan that would make Antonia's life take a huge turn , a turn which she wasn't prepared for .

" Cousin sister , you are getting married in a week . The wedding preparations are almost ready . Today there's a concert here . A famous pianist will be performing . I took you here to go out and have some fun . Axel has been so busy with his work lately that I haven't seen him around . " said Annette with a smile .

" Yeah ! My sweetheart is busy with both the company and the wedding preparations . He said he wanted to make a surprise for me . " said Antonia with a smile making a dreamy and happy expression .

" Here are your drinks ladies ! " said the waiter bringing them two cocktails .

He gave the pink cocktail to Antonia and the blue cocktail to Annette .

" This......we didn't order yet . " said Antonia confused .

" I ordered it ! " said Annette taking the blue cocktail .

" These aren't with alcohol......right ? " asked Antonia looking at the cocktail .

" Yes, miss ! It's an alcohol-free cocktail . Rest assured miss ! " said the waiter with a smile then looked at Annette who showed a devilish smile on her face .

' You damn useless thing ! You won't be able to laugh for long . As soon as I take you off the screen , Axel will finally come to his senses and see who's the best girl for him . A loser like her is not worthy of him . ' thought Annette with a smirk .

" Coisuin sister , aren't you gonna drink no more ? " asked Annette when she saw that Antonia placed the glass down after taking only a sip of it .

" I don't think I can drink more . It's not that good . The waiter said that it was alcohol free but to me it feels too spicy to be alcohol free . " said Antonia .

" It's normal for them to be a bit spicy . Is a coctail after all . Plus , you are gonna get married . You can't continue behaving liek a child Antonia . " said Annette .

" Huh ? " said Antonia confused .

" Axel is a strong man and he likes alcohol apart from wine . You two will drink a lot during your honeymoon . " said Annette giving another glass to Antonia .

" What do you mean ?.......Drink a lot of alcohol on our honeymoon ? " said Antonia confused .

" My silly cousin sister . Men like to drink together with their woman next to them . You can't continue to behave in such a childish way or you will not be able to keep up with Axel's desires . I know you don't ahve a good alcohol tolerance nor do you like it so I brought you here to train and get used to it . " said Annette and gave Antonia another glass .

Antonia closed her eyes and drank the glass she had started first and finished it .

" Here , drink this too . " said Annette .

" I can't . It's really bitter and not good . " said Antonia .

" It willl taste good soon . " said Annette .

Antonia looked at the other glass and didn't want to drink anymore . Annette held the glass in her hand then showed it to Antonia .

" ......You love him , don't you ? " said Annette with a smirk using her love for Axel as an excuse for her to continue drinking .

" Yes.... " said Antonia and took the other glass from Annette's hand .

After enjoying the performance and drinking up to five cocktails , Anotina started to feel her head spin .

" Waiter ! Another one ! " said Antonia with a drunk tone .

" Cousin sister , you have drunk too much . Shouldn't you stop now ?.........I am saying this because I care for you . " said Annette with a smirk then looked at the waiter who placed another cocktail in front of Antonia .

" I know you care for me Annette . I care for you too but I still wanna drink . " said Antonia and drank the other glass of cocktail then started to drink it . 

Annette looked at her with a smirk . After the show finished , Annette held Antonia from her arms and took her to a room on the second floor where they could relax .

Meanwhile, in another suite , three powerful businessmen were gathered together and discussing .

" This is the contract . " said the secretary , handing the contract to two of the businessmen that were there .

They took the contract and started to read it .

" Mr . Damian Wright , don't you think you are being a bit too much ? Ten billion ? " said one of the businessmen .

" You were the ones who begged to join my next project . I am just making stating the price of joining my project . You can refuse if you do not want too . " said Damian with a smirk .

The two businessmen remained silent and nervously stared at the contract . They had invested a lot to secure a meeting with Damian . If they were to back away now , all the efforts and money they spent would go to waste . They took the pen and reluctantly signed the contract . 

" See ! So much nagging for a small signature . The moment investors see the fruits of the projects , they start their annoying sweet talk . You will experience the same thing gentlemen . " said Damian with a smirk .

" ......if it's really as Mr Damian says then , we wouldn't anything else . " said the businessman with a smile . 

" Escort the gentlemen out . " said Damian with a polite tone , making his secretary escort the two men outside .

After they left , his father looked at Damian with a smile .

" I knew you would be able to pull this off perfectly . " said his father with a smile .

" Now that the negotiation finished , I will head back . " said Damian and got up from his seat after drinking a glass of water . 

" Don't you wanna have a drink with your old man ? " said his father .

" ......Heh ! I know what you are up too . I have made myself clear before . " said Damian with a devilish smirk then headed to the door but suddenly a weird feeling invaded his body , making his mind spin .

" It seems to have already taken effect . I didn't want to do this but you left me no choice Damian . " said his father and got up from his seat .

" How.......What did you give me ? " asked Damian .

" A helping hand in creating my grandson . " said his father .

" Cough..........Cough.........Aghhh ! Ahhhh ! You......What is this.......? You......You......How could you do this to me ?! " said Damian with an annoyed expression .

" I have given you the freedom to do as you please Damian but you must understand that you aren't a simple person . You have a duty and a responsibility to fulfill . The empire can't remain without an heir . And the heir must be born from you . " said his father then got up from his seat then headed to the door .

" I will never satisfy your wish . " said Damian trying his best to keep himself under control .

" It's useless to resist . the drug you drank is too powerful . I especially made sure to choose the one with the best pregnancy rate . The girl is also carefully chosen . She is waiting for you in room 66 . Go ahead and do your thing . You can abstain if you want but you will end up receiving a heart attack . " said his father leaving the key to room 66 on the desk . 

" You are so cruel ! " said Damian clenching his fists .

" If I am not cruel , you will not give up from this nonsense . Artificial semination......forget it . The child must be healthy and creating one in a natural way is the best choice . " said his father .

" You are aware that I will never marry that woman nor any other woman . I don't like women . " said Damian .

" .......It's not necessary for you to marry her . The most important thing is the child . " said his father with a serious tone and left the room , leaving him alone .

' Damn it ! You old man ! Just you wait . After this is over , you will see it . I will make sure you regret it . Aghhhh !......This drug is too strong and may as well kill me.............How could he do this to his son ?...... ' thought Damian with his breath starting to become heavier and his vision becoming blurred .

Damian realized that he had no choice left but to go and find the girl his father had prepared for him . Unless he slept with her , he would suffer serious health issues .