Chapter 4

Jenny suddenly spoke up to me.

"Shirley, Louis is taking me to the Candlelight Summit tonight, but I don't have a suitable gown. Can I pick one of yours?"

The Candlelight Summit was held once every four years, and the Dons and Donnas of the major families were allowed to attend along with their entourages.

First, Louis had given Jenny the authority to chair the family meetings. Now, he was taking her to the summit. So this was how openly Louis could favor someone when he wanted to.

I suddenly smiled.

None of it mattered to me anymore.

"Sure. Take your pick."

Jenny chose the gown I had kept at the very bottom of my wardrobe. "This one. It even has your name on it, Shirley. When I wear it, everyone will know you gave it to me."

She blinked at me with such an innocent look.

The gown was the first gift Louis had ever given me. He had the gown tailored by hand for my eighteenth birthday. He had personally embroidered my initials on the collar. I had treasured it ever since and had never been able to bring myself to wear it.

I picked up my packed suitcase and was going to leave when Louis's voice came from behind me again. "Shirley, where are you going?"

I did not turn around as I said, "None of your business."

He ordered the guards to block my way.

"At tonight's summit, stay behind Jenny and show her how to handle the others. The Corsi family will be there too. They're one of the most powerful families around, so don't throw a tantrum tonight."

Louis tried to keep talking, but I cut him off.

"I'll be there."

That suited me. It was time to settle all the scores between us.

Louis had not expected me to agree so easily, so he threatened me in a cold voice.

"If you try anything behind my back to make trouble for Jenny again, I won't let you off lightly."

I didn't even give him a glance. I no longer cared about anything he said.

At the Candlelight Summit, Louis walked in holding Jenny's hand. She wore the gown and immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Don Louis is such a lucky man, with a beauty like Ms. Jenny by his side."

Jenny coughed twice and pulled out her inhaler. Concerned voices rose at once.

"Ms. Jenny, take care of yourself. Don't overdo it."

"If you need anything, just tell us. We're all here to help."

I followed quietly behind them like an attendant.

No one looked at me.

No one called me Donna.

Someone even bumped into me on purpose and kept walking without an apology.

A cruel smile played on Louis's lips. It was clear he was enjoying this. He wanted me to see for myself how easily another woman could take everything I had fought for over eight years.

I looked him straight in the eye and smiled.

Louis paused, then led Jenny to the seat reserved for the Cascino family's Donna. "You're not well. Sit next to me."

Jenny glanced at me, triumph flashing in her eyes. "Louis, are you sure? That's Shirley's seat."

Louis's tone left no room for argument. "From now on, it's yours."

He looked at me again. "Shirley, stand behind Jenny. If there's anything she doesn't understand, help her."

I stood in the middle of the hall without moving.

Louis frowned and asked, "Shirley, don't you understand what I said?"

The door suddenly opened.

An old man stood in the doorway, leaning on an ebony cane.