Chapter 3

Dad said that our proposed union propelled the Vito family to unprecedented heights of power.

If Oscar Vito, Bernardo's dad, got wind of his son botching the alliance, Bernardo would be in for a world of punishment.

With that thought, I was itching to get home and spill the beans on Bernardo.

As I spun on my heel to leave, Liliana lunged and grabbed my dress bag.

"Think you can just walk out? Not without leaving that dress, you lowlife!"

I liked to keep things understated, but I was no pushover. I seized her wrist with precise force, squeezing hard enough to make her think I might snap it.

"Ah!!!!"

Her scream echoed as the bag slipped from her weakened grasp back into mine.

"Nobody takes what's mine unless I say so."

Liliana's tear-streaked face turned to Bernardo, her eyes pleading: "Bernardo, she's humiliated me, you have to defend me."

With a swift backhand, I silenced her, my voice like ice. "Say lowlife again, and you'll regret it."

The slap wiped the smugness off Liliana's face. She scurried behind Bernardo, playing the victim.

Bernardo wrapped her in his arms, his deep blue eyes then a furnace of fury.

"You dare touch what's mine! I'll make sure you learn your lesson today!"

He spun around to his bodyguard, his voice cutting through the air like a knife, "Grab her!"

I was no slouch in a fight, but it was tough when one was outnumbered. In no time, I was in the iron grip of Bernardo's goons.

Liliana strutted over in her needle-thin heels and delivered two stinging slaps to my face.

"You lowlife, you thought you were so tough? Let's see you strut your stuff now!

"How dare you lay a hand on me. Today, you're going to learn what happens when you cross me!"

She did not stop there. Slap after slap, she hit me until I tasted blood and felt my teeth wobble.

"You'll regret this, you're going to wish you never crossed me," I stared her down, fury burning in my gaze.

If looks could kill, she would have been long gone.

However, Liliana just scoffed; my threats meant nothing to her. The crowd around us watched, their eyes full of pity.

"Her face won't look the same after those hits."

"She was warned not to mess with Ms. Conti. She didn't listen, and now she's beyond saving."

"The last guy who got on Ms. Conti's bad side vanished from the city overnight."

I'll get my revenge, but not now.

I had to stop Liliana before she did something irreversible. Desperate, I blurted out:

"I was wrong! Take the dress, just let me go."

However, Liliana was not done. Another slap rocked my face.

She yanked my head back by my hair, forcing me to meet her fierce gaze.

"What a pushover. If you begged sooner, I might have spared you."

"Now, it's too late. I'm not calming down until I've had my fill of revenge."

Pain seared through my scalp, but I swallowed my rage and said, "I'll pay anything, just let me go!" I pleaded.

Liliana's laugh was icy and mocking. "Sure, come up with a hundred million dollars, and you're free to go today."

I nodded frantically, worried she might retract her offer. "Done. I'll call right now and get the money sent over!"

Bernardo snickered from the sidelines. "A seductress who's charmed her way into my father's graces, claiming she can cough up a hundred million? That's a joke."

His words only seemed to embolden Liliana. She whipped out her phone and set the timer. "Ten minutes. If the cash isn't here, I'll carve up that pretty face of yours and dump you in the slums, naked."

The crowd around us erupted in laughter. I finally got my hands on my phone and dialed my dad in a panic.

"What's the matter, Cecilia?" Dad's voice was a lifeline. I fought back tears and told him everything.

"What? They want to mess with my girl? They've got another thing coming." I added quickly, "They said if they don't see the money in ten minutes, they'll disfigure me and leave me naked in the slums."

Dad's rage vibrated through the phone. "Stay calm, Cecilia. Help is on the way. They'll regret ever crossing paths with us."

I hung up, my heart rate finally slowing.

The seconds ticked away until only ten remained. Liliana's eyes were on me, filled with scorn. "Time's up. Strip down now and save me the hassle." Her words were casual, but she signaled her bodyguards with a subtle hand gesture. They started closing in on me.

Dozens of sleek, armored cars lined up in front of the upscale designer workshop, a show of force and wealth. The lead car's door swung open with a dramatic thud, and out stepped a man whose face was a roadmap of scars. He walked with a purpose, an aura of danger clinging to him like the lingering scent of a battlefield.

The man's booming voice settled over the crowd, "The hundred million is here. Let's see who's got the guts to mess with our Principessa."