Chapter 7

Elena's POV

I returned to the Bianchi residence to pack up Dad's belongings. The house would be left in the care of the family elders. But for the memories with my parents inside, I would take those with me and cherish them for the rest of my life.

As I stared at the cold and empty house, I felt a mix of emotions.

Ever since the Bianchi family went bankrupt, this was the first time I had entered Dad's study. While packing, I would think of his disfigured body when he died.

So, I packed on and off for two full days.

At the very end, as I was wiping down a decorative piece on Dad's desk, a click sounded. A hidden compartment appeared on the bookshelf behind me, revealing a locked box.

I froze for a second, then pried the box open with a hammer. Inside was a document I had never seen before.

I read through it, noting that the contents seemed to relate to the Bianchi family's bankruptcy.

I steadied my racing heart and hired a trusted private investigator to look into the matter.

Just as I was leaving the house, Dad's assistant called me, his voice urgent. "It's bad news, Ms. Bianchi! Lorenzo is demolishing the estate your father built for you!"

I felt my heart seize, and I rushed over to the estate.

This estate was more than just property to me—it held my memories of my parents. It was something they had built for me when I was just born.

When I was five years old, Mom died from complications during childbirth, along with the baby.

Every year after that, Dad would take time to visit the estate with me and reminisce about the happy times we had as a family of three.

Although it had since fallen into disrepair, I still went there from time to time—it was the only place that gave me a moment of peace.

But now, Lorenzo was tearing it down. What gave him the right?

I got out of the car and ran into the estate, just in time to see workers hacking away at the angel statue carved in Mom's likeness.

"Stop! Stop right now!"

My heart-wrenching screams were completely drowned out by the roar of the machinery. I had no choice but to throw myself in front of the mechanical arm, which stopped just an inch from hitting me.

Seeing that, Lorenzo, who had been overseeing the demolition, rushed over to pull me away. There was panic and fear on his face that he didn't even realize he was showing.

"Elena, have you lost your mind? Are you hurt anywhere?"

I slapped his hand away and pointed at the rubble scattered across the estate with a pained look.

"Who's the one who's lost their mind? Lorenzo, who gave you permission to tear down the estate my parents left me?" I roared.

Lorenzo looked somewhat guilty, and he softened his voice to explain, "Sofia wants to open an art studio in the city. This location is the best.

"Don't worry. I'll find another location and rebuild this estate exactly as it was for you."

"So what?" I raised my voice. "Lorenzo, what gives you the right to make decisions for me? I paid back—"

Sofia cut me off, "Elena, you're too impulsive. A personality like that will only bring you trouble—it's not good.

"As the Donna of the Moretti family, you should be elegant and composed, free from impatience and arrogance. This kind of attachment to material things is unacceptable. I tore this place down for your own good."

With that, Sofia pressed a button on the remote control in her hand. An explosion sounded in the distance.

"No!" My voice broke with anguish as I lunged forward and grabbed the controller.

But it was already too late.

Explosions rang out one after another, and all I could do was watch as everything was reduced to rubble.

Unable to hold back anymore, I raised my hand and slapped Sofia hard across the face.

"Go to hell, Sofia!" I yelled, hoarse and distressed.

The next second, Lorenzo shoved me hard, causing me to crash to the ground. A sharp rock hit my rib wound, and blood began to seep through.

I winced in pain, but before I could recover, Lorenzo wrapped his hands around my throat and squeezed tightly.