Chapter 5

Matteo arrived just in time to hear my last words.

His eyes fell on Isabella's swollen face, and his gaze immediately turned cold. "Bianca, do you realize the consequences of what you've done?"

"Consequences?"

I let out a short laugh. "When my Padre gets here, you'll understand the consequences of locking me up."

At the mention of Papa, Matteo looked at me like he'd just heard the funniest joke of the century. "Your Padre? Are you talking about the dairy merchant?

"Bianca, I think you've lived in luxury for so long that you can't even tell what real power looks like anymore."

I looked at their arrogant expressions and quietly announced, "My Padre is Vincenzo Valenti, Don of the Valenti Mafia Famiglia."

The moment the words left my mouth, laughter broke out around me.

Fabio couldn't help but chime in, "Vincenzo Valenti? Just because you share the last name doesn't mean you can claim him as your Padre!

"Do you even know how he is? He's a man even Don Rossini has a hard time meeting."

When he noticed Matteo's stiff expression, he quickly added, "But once Don Rossini swallows up the Castellis, even Don Valenti would have to show him some respect."

Only then did Matteo's expression ease slightly.

Isabella turned to Fabio and snapped, "Don't get off track. If Don Valenti heard that, how would Don Rossini ever get to work with him again?"

I laughed. "Don't worry. As long as I'm around, he'll never work with Matteo."

That only sent the crowd into louder laughter.

Matteo's frown deepened. The way he looked at me was the same way one would look at a madwoman.

That was when he lost all interest in the conversation and simply said in a cold voice, "I don't have time for your nonsense, Bianca. Apologize to Isabella right now, and maybe I'll spare you out for our old times' sake."

When I didn't respond, Isabella pouted and wrapped her arms around Matteo's.

"Don't push her, Don Rossini. Given her noble status, she can slap me or even take my life if she wants…"

"She wouldn't dare! I gave her her so-called noble status! With a single word from me, she'd be lower than a stray on the streets," Matteo snapped. His expression was dark and thunderous.

Though I'd expected it, his words still hit me like a blow. That was the harshest thing he'd ever said to me in three years.

"And besides, her betrayal of the Famiglia is enough reason for me to kill her a thousand times over."

He waved and summoned a few guards over. "Pin her down."

I immediately straightened up and warned, "Matteo, if you dare lay a finger on me today, my Padre will wipe out your entire Famiglia."

"Sure, I'll wait," he said, word by word as if to challenge me. "I'm quite curious to see how your dairy merchant father manages to topple a Mafia Famiglia.

"Since you refuse to apologize, I'll deal with this my way."

He glanced behind him before several guards lunged forward and slammed me down onto my knees.

With a thud, my injured knees hit the hard concrete. For a second, I could feel my bone splinter all over again.

"Matteo Rossini!" I choked.

Lifting my head, I bore into his gaze with bloodshot eyes. "You… will… regret… this…"

Matteo froze. For a fleeting second, a flicker of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

That was when Fabio came stumbling into the cellar. "Don Rossini! Something's gone wrong!

"A fleet of strangers just stormed Tenuta Ombra and took down the guards at the gates. Right now, they're heading straight for you!"