Chapter 10 

The papers spread across the table like a map of lies. 

Sam flipped through the stolen documents, eyes narrowing as he scanned the logos of powerful backers. “This is insane,” he muttered, tossing one sheet down. “I’ll give them credit-they’re better at gathering allies than I thought. They even got the Crimson family.” 

I didn’t respond right away. My eyes stayed fixed on the TV, where the scandal had now growi into a media storm. 

“New footage casts doubt on the narrative of Ivanna Rossi’s breakdown. Was it really suicide-o something far darker? Speculations grow after a leaked photo reveals Marian Rossi and Ruper Fiore were lovers long before Ivanna’s death.” 

Some anchors still played the neutral card-framing it as another attempt to smear the Rossi-Fiore name. But the tide was turning. Fast. 

laughed softly, the sound sharp and clean. “I’ll never forget their faces when they saw that broadcast.” I held up both hands, mimicking the ghost-white horror I’d seen on Marian, Rupert and Chris’s faces. “I hope someday they spit blood from the shock alone.” 

Sam shivered, goosebumps prickling along his arms. “You’ve got a scary laugh, you know that?” Lothario leaned against the wall, arms folded. “What do you plan to do about your old territory? The one Matteo gave you when you came of age?” 

went still. 

Even now, memories of that place-it reeked of false love, empty praise, and betrayal. 

It’s mine,” I said flatly. “Even if Don Matteo ‘gifted’ it to me like I was some favorite pet-it wa: always mine. But I don’t want it back. That place is tainted.” 

My eyes met Sam’s, icy and deliberate. “I’m going to profit off it. And make sure they lose everything in return.” 

Sam gulped, shifting in his seat. “Tell me the plan, ma’am.” 

slid the sheet of Rossi-Fiore supporters toward him and lifted the wineglass in my hand-the same wine Marian had offered to Mr. Kim earlier. 

If she knew I was drinking this,” I smirked, “she’d have poisoned the bottle instead.” 

Sam’s grin was slow, dangerous. “So it’s time… for Phase Two?” 

raised the glass in a silent toast. “It’s time.” 

Rossi Estate – Private Meeting Room 

Chris slammed his phone onto the marble table, shattering the screen. “What the fuck is this?!” He turned to Marian, fury burning through his voice. “You’ve been with Rupert since before we even sacrificed Ivanna?!” 

Marian took a slow step back, hands raised like a politician under fire. “Chris, wait-listen-” 

But he wouldn’t listen. Couldn’t. 

Everything unraveled in his mind-memories, guilt, truth. 

He had helped Matteo plan Ivanna’s downfall because Marian wanted Rupert-and he… he 

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wanted Marian. Not like a brother. Like a man. 

He let himself be seduced by her voice, her touch, her lies. 

And now? 

Ivanna was dead. 

Because of them. 

Chris looked down at his hands. These hands-he’d used them to stop her surgery. He’d delayed it. He’d obeyed Matteo like a dog. 

His vision blurred with rage. “You ruined everything!” he yelled, stepping toward Marian. 

She flinched-but before he could grab her, a gunshot cracked through the room. 

Chris screamed and collapsed to the ground. 

Don Matteo stood in the doorway, still holding the smoking pistol. 

Don’t you dare lay a hand on Marian, you worthless bastard.” 

Blood seeped from Chris’s foot, soaking into the imported rug. 

Chris glared up at Matteo, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. “You knew, didn’t you? You knew they vere setting us up, and you still sacrificed Ivanna!” 

Vith leisurely indifference, Matteo placed his pistol in his secretary’s waiting hand, as though assing a cigar at a garden party. “And?” 

She was your daughter too!” 

thin smile cut across Matteo’s face. “That girl was never mine. She didn’t carry a drop of my 

lood.” 

The words rocked Chris. “What are you talking about?” 

Matteo stepped forward, shadows pooling around his polished shoes. “Your mother was infaithful,” he said, voice low and knife-sharp. “Ivanna was the proof of it.” 

You’re lying,” Chris breathed, anger faltering into disbelief. 

Matteo’s tone dropped to a whisper meant only for him. “Be grateful my blood still runs hrough your veins-otherwise you’d be lying beside her right now.” 

le straightened, eyes flicking to his guards. “Take him to his room. Clean the wound. Keep him ocked up until he remembers where his loyalties lie.” 

“wo men seized Chris, half-dragging him toward the corridor. Blood dripped onto the marble, ach drop echoing in the hall. 

Only after the door slammed did Matteo turn to Marian, his expression softening into a fatherly smile-one utterly at odds with the menace that lingered in the room. 

Don’t mind that fool,” Matteo said, settling beside her with a sigh. 

Marian kept her gaze down, playing the part of the hurt, overwhelmed daughter. She didn’t have o try too hard-too much had already unraveled. 

Matteo looked at her, and for a moment, he didn’t see Marian-he saw his wife, long gone, in the curve of her brow and the set of her jaw. His hand landed gently on her shoulder. 

‘Don’t worry,” he said. “Your father will get you out of this mess.” 

Chapter 10 

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Marian lifted her eyes, voice barely above a whisper. “Really? How?” 

“We’ll pin everything on Ivanna and her mother,” he said, like it was nothing. “Let the dead take the fall. You just focus on Rupert, hmm?” 

She lowered her head again, lips trembling. “Yes… Papa.” 

Neither of them noticed the faint glint near the cuff of her sleeve. 

A listening device-small, black, and very much recording. 

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