"When did my father discuss your ascension to the CEO role? Considering how quickly he passed it on to you, I assume it was some time ago," I asked, meeting his gaze. His usual cold expression persisted, a sight that once frightened me. However, given our intertwined history, I had grown accustomed to it. Marco may be ruthless towards others, especially those he deemed as threats or enemies, but he treated me differently. I couldn't jump to conclusions, but there was a discernible distinction in his demeanor.I didn't entertain the possibility of him having feelings for me or experiencing emotions. It seemed unlikely since he didn't seem capable of such sentiments. Still, I was satisfied. What truly mattered to me was how he saw me and how safe I felt whenever Marco was around. He had a calming effect on my turbulent emotions, much like Poseidon taming the ocean."He stipulated that I would assume control of the company once I became your husband," I nodded. During that time, our fin
Marco's avoidance of discussing the cafeteria incident made it difficult for me to ask about his true feelings of jealousy. As we prepared to meet with a designer, my mind was preoccupied with his earlier remark, causing me to miss important details.Curiosity prompted me to ask, "Where are we going?" However, Marco simply replied, "We're going to a Gala," providing no further explanation or context.Upon arriving at the designer recommended by his mother, I couldn't help but feel like I was under close scrutiny. The Moretti women had been patronizing this establishment for generations, despite my previous mention of having connections elsewhere. Donning a burgundy dress with a plunging neckline and an overskirt, I chose this color to enhance my skin tone, a decision that the designer also confirmed."Mrs. Moretti, your physique is stunning! I am confident that my masterpiece will suit you perfectly," the designer exclaimed, applauding me. I simply smiled, unsure of how to accept com
Upon rising from my chair, I felt inclined to explore the venue and potentially engage in socializing. I eventually found myself standing at the bar, contemplating which cocktail to select. Amidst my decision-making, a fragment of conversation caught my attention."Could it be Walter Arellano's daughter?" an unfamiliar voice speculated.The words echoed through my mind and instantly halted my cocktail selection process."Oh my goodness! I overheard that her father supposedly traded her to the Jenkins family, but when the Jenkins faced financial ruin, they then sold her off to the Morettis. Such a desperate maneuver. But I suppose it's unsurprising, considering their company was on the verge of collapse," the speaker shared, bundled with a hint of remorse.I kept my jaw tense, deliberately avoiding eye contact. I feigned indifference, refusing to acknowledge their attempts to grab my attention. They craved the opportunity to flaunt my father's misdeeds in my face, but I wouldn't grant
Everyone was in a state of panic. Marco quickly pulled me aside, making sure I was safe. A waiter was holding a woman hostage. I stuck close to Marco, fearing that the hostage-taker might consider shooting us."M-Marco, should we do something?" I asked, holding his arm and looking at him. "Save her—""Not my job," he tersely replied, checking his wristwatch while I struggled to believe what he just said.The hostage-taker was still in the middle threatening the people around him when he suddenly collapsed to the ground, releasing the woman. The rapid turn of events was so swift that if I hadn't seen the blood on the hostage-taker's head, I wouldn't have believed he was dead.I found myself visibly pale as I gazed at the lifeless man, his eyes hauntingly open. Marco instinctively covered my eyes to shield me from the disturbing sight. When I looked at him, it became apparent that he had been observing me for quite some time.My attention shifted to Marco's cousins, particularly when Ga
While lounging on the sunbed by the pool, I called out for Lucille. Violet, looking to unwind, took advantage of her class-free schedule by enjoying a swim. Lucille joined me at the sunbed while Renzo stayed indoors. Since I preferred staying inside, not many of my staff were around me. Instead, my guards were scattered throughout the house.Taking a sip of my pineapple juice, I reached out to Lucille and asked, "How long have you been working for Marco?" I looked at her, waiting for her response."I've been part of the Moretti family for a significant amount of time, Ma'am. I practically grew up with them," Lucille replied, smiling warmly. "My parents used to work for Sir Davide, and when they passed away, the Morettis didn't hesitate to provide me with support. They took care of me and ensured I received an education, especially Sir Marco."Resting my chin on the back of my hand, I listened intently to Lucille's narrative."I used to view Sir Marco and Renzo as older brothers. But t
The household staff served us with food and drinks. I gestured towards it, hoping to break the heavy silence between Martina and me."Would you like something to eat? When did you arrive, Martina? Marco mentioned you were in a different country," I managed to form a coherent sentence while facing Martina, and surprisingly, my nerves didn't cause me to stutter."Yesterday," she replied curtly, keeping her gaze locked on me.Deciphering her stare proved challenging. Was she fond of me or did she hold some resentment? She appeared just as complex as her family, where only their mother seemed approachable."I'm glad you came. I've been looking forward to meeting you.""Do you really?" Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm.I nervously bit my lip, feeling a sense of scrutiny from her, as if she was carefully observing my every move and word for potential ammunition against me."Um... I think Marco might be returning soon. I should start preparing dinner. Martina, you're welcome to join us." I
I tightly held onto my hand, feeling the pain. Throughout the day, I had been handling different types of guns under Martina's guidance. Her training methods were unusual, characterized by relentless intensity, as if there was an impending deadline. In reality, there was one — Martina had committed to train me only during her one-month stay in the country before leaving again.I vividly remember the day I approached Martina for assistance. She questioned me skeptically, "Are you sure?" Her challenge was evident. "I didn't suggest you change for my brother; I'm only telling you what I've observed and noticed.""I understand, Martina. It's valuable that you shared your observations with me. It made me realize that maybe I don't naturally fit into Marco's world. So, I contemplated a way to belong. If you can impart all the necessary knowledge to me, I'm willing to do whatever it takes and fully embrace your teachings."After much contemplation, I decided to visit Martina's house. Althoug
"It's not about doubting your abilities, Maddie. My concern lies in your tendency to act recklessly without properly assessing the danger. You have a tendency to rush into situations, confident that you can protect yourself. But it's not about your ability to protect yourself; it's about not putting yourself in unnecessarily dangerous situations." Marco released a deep sigh, though his expression appeared unchanged, giving the impression of lingering anger. "If you can promise me that you'll refrain from involving yourself in life-threatening situations, I'm willing to support your training. I'll even take part in monitoring and facilitating it alongside Martina.” My face lit up with surprise. This was an unexpected turn of events. I never anticipated Marco offering to assist with my training, especially considering everything he had said to me before.I raised my hand in agreement, assuring Marco with a heartfelt "I promise!" The wave of emotions overwhelmed me, prompting me to appr
I could sense the unrest within me, a constant unease that refused to subside. My mind ran wild with thoughts of the missing ones, their absence gnawing at my soul. I longed for a break, a moment of respite, but time slipped through my fingers, as if mocking my desire for calm.In that turbulent state, Vittoria took charge, guiding me gently to sit. Her firm yet soothing touch caressed my back, attempting to bring solace to my weary spirit. Yet, beneath her reassuring words, I sensed the hollowness of promises unfulfilled. Deep down, I knew that true peace would elude me until my sister and Renzo were safely by my side.Time blurred, each passing moment a mystery as reports and updates were limited to Dad alone. The rest of the Moretti family and their associates remained scattered across distant lands. Only Stefano, Dad, and Vittoria were present, while Gabriele, burdened with his laboratory duties, stood confined inside.The door swung open with a sudden force, grabbing my attention
Violet abruptly broke away from my grasp, She quickly stood up and ran the other direction. Her eyes showed an unbreakable determination, which caused the chase to pause for a moment, seizing the attention of those chasing us. The moment I realised her success, I also quickly went the other way.Tears coursed down my cheeks, my heart wrenching with worry for my sister's safety. I prayed fervently that she would remain safe until I could find help.Exhausted beyond measure, I refused to stop my desperate flight. Numbness consumed my legs from the relentless pace. Lost in my thoughts, I failed to notice the uneven ground beneath me.I stumbled and cascaded downhill, agony searing through my body, but I mustered the strength to rise. My eyes widened in profound realization—the realization that I had fallen onto a desolate road.I swiftly rose to my feet, determined to keep running. With every step, I prayed to the universe to grant me a sight of a passing car and a compassionate soul to
The security cameras in this place paled in comparison to the extensive surveillance at the Moretti's. Thanks to Marty, I knew exactly where the blind spots were, which turned out to be invaluable now.As I listened to one of the guards speaking, their voice laced with suspicion, it became evident that something had caught their attention in the adjacent room. The number of people present remained a mystery, clouding the situation further.Our path grew darker as we proceeded. Taking a momentary shelter, we huddled together, seeking solace in each other's presence while contemplating our next moves."Sis, what now? We're lost," Violet voiced her vagueness.Unable to provide an immediate answer, I echoed her confusion. The labyrinthine layout of this place made navigation a formidable challenge."Let's stick with the plan, Violet. Evading capture is our main priority. We'll uncover a way out in due course," I said, exhaling deeply while clasping my sister's hand tightly. The grip on my
"Sis," Violet whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. "The new driver, he's one of them. He deceived us all, infiltrating our home and studying our every move. This was all part of their carefully orchestrated plan. They were aware of Marco's imminent departure and the Moretti family's gathering, ensuring your guards would be occupied elsewhere. They had all the information, which is why they struck today."Violet looked at me, concern etched on her face. Uncertainty flickered in her eyes, but I tried to reassure her with a smile. While Ronan seemed knowledgeable about the Moretti family, he couldn't possibly comprehend the full extent of my capabilities. He never suspected that I had a plan to escape from this predicament, using my wits and resourcefulness to secure our freedom.As the details of my plan unfold, Violet's apprehension gradually transformed into trust. Though the odds were stacked against us, with risks looming at every turn, I remained determined. I would stop at
"I am Ronan Lombardi, the last remaining heir of the Lombardi family—the one your husband annihilated. I am also the inheritor of the organization where your mother dedicated her life, and where you reluctantly pledged your service." He stooped down to my eye level, caressing my hair and coercing me to meet his gaze. "Maddie, your loyalty should rightfully belong to me, not your husband. I am the master, and your mother entrusted your life to our cause."My teeth clenched, confirming my instincts. Despite Marco's claims of wiping out the entire Lombardi clan, there was indeed one survivor—the heir, Ronan.Tightening my fist, I regretted not voicing my doubts to Marco that fateful night. Maybe, if I had, he would have taken precautions to ensure the annihilation of every last Lombardi, leaving no room for survivors.My thoughts came to a halt as Ronan slowly raised his hand towards the mask covering half of his face. He gently caressed it for a moment before slowly removing it.My eyes
As I searched for my staff, urgency tinged my every move. Failing to locate them promptly, I snatched the car keys, taking matters into my own hands. One of Marco's cars became my vehicle of choice.Observing my hurried driving, the house guard swiftly swung open the gate, his face a picture of astonishment. Yet, I brushed it off, too preoccupied for notice.With haste, I raced toward our residence, my heart pounding in sync with my accelerating car. Parking carelessly, I sprang out, eager to enter our house.The gate stood ajar, and an eerie calmness blanketed the surroundings. Ignoring any sense of sign, I swiftly crossed the threshold, ready to face whatever awaited me.The surroundings were dark, and there were no lights on. I called for helpers, but no one answered."Violet?" I called for my younger sister.I called her name several times until I heard Violet's voice."S-Sis, we're in the kitchen."Her voice was weak, and it was clear she was crying. I immediately went there, rea
Lucille had been discharged from the hospital, but her recovery demanded more rest. Both Marco and I eagerly wished for Lucille's complete recovery before she went back from her duties, so I shared his sentiments. It was important to ensure her well-being.Now, I found myself at the mall, fulfilling shopping obligations. Though I could have easily given these errands to the housemaids, I took the opportunity to tackle them myself, especially tasks of this nature. Shopping gives me the peace that I need right now."Renzo," I called out, asking for his help. Marco wasn't by my side, as he was abroad attending to Marcello and engaging in business endeavors. Rumors circulated that they were forging an alliance with the Grimaldi family from the Sicilian Mafia, and I trusted they were negotiating diligently.I've gained a deep understanding of their organizational dynamics. Marco emphasized the strategic advantage of forging alliances with different countries. Although I'm aware of their al
In recent days, I bore witness to my sister's endless pursuit of Renzo, and it was a spectacle that left me suspicious. Often, I would simply shake my head, unable to understand her behavior, and there were moments when I wished I could just close my eyes and spare myself the embarrassment of watching it unfold. Have you ever experienced secondhand embarrassment? It's that weird sensation where you feel the humiliation of someone else's actions, even though you were not the one responsible. That's precisely what I felt whenever Violet engaged in her attention-seeking antics in Renzo's presence.On one particular day, as I returned home from work, I found Violet slumped on the sofa, her face filled with dejection. She had been persistently pestering Renzo earlier, but now she seemed utterly defeated. Concern washed over me, and I swiftly took a seat beside her.Regardless of her misguided actions, I couldn't bear to witness Violet in such despair. It was as if her sadness reached beyon
Once Renzo had left, leaving just the two of us, I couldn't resist playfully pinching my sister's side. Her gaze, once filled with longing for Renzo, was now directed at me."Ouch, Sis! That actually hurt!" she protested, rubbing her side.Deep down, I knew there was more to Violet's visit than just my company."What's the real reason you're here, Violet? I have a feeling it's not solely about me."Sniffling, she glanced around nervously before tugging me towards the living room where we settled onto the sofa."Sis, it's about Renzo..." Her voice trailed off.I closed my eyes briefly, already understanding what her gaze had meant earlier.I offered her an empathetic smile. "Do you think he might have a girlfriend? And even if he doesn't, the age gap between you two is quite significant. Don't get your hopes up, Violet. Renzo is even older than me. He and Marco are practically the same age, just a few years apart.""Age is irrelevant, Sis!" She playfully nudged me. "Come on, lend me a