Chapter 3

The dinner was held in the family’s most luxurious mansion, attended by gang leaders from all over New York.

I wore the fishtail gown Lorenzo picked out. The gown was heavy and cumbersome, making it hard to even walk.

He did it on purpose.

Wearing a gown like that meant I had no choice but to be a showpiece that could not even move around freely.

Elena, on the other hand, was dressed in a sleek dark red leather outfit, looking like a burning flame.

Holding a wine glass, she weaved through the big shots, engaging in laughter and conversation.

Everyone respected her, praising her as Lorenzo’s right-hand woman.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

Lorenzo stood on the steps, full of vigor.

"Today, besides celebrating Elena joining the family, I also want to introduce you to two children."

The room fell silent.

Lorenzo picked up the little boy, pride written all over his face.

"This is my firstborn, Leo."

Boom!

Something erupted in my head.

Leo.

That was my twin brother's name.

When my family went bankrupt, my brother died in a car accident on the way home.

Lorenzo had sworn at my brother's grave.

He said that our first child would be named Leo, in memory of my brother.

But now, he had given that name to his illegitimate son with that woman.

I could not breathe. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a fist.

The boy named Leo was an unruly child.

He dashed through the banquet hall with a toy gun, screaming and shooting at the guests' legs.

No one dared to tell him off. They could only smile.

Suddenly, he rushed in front of me.

Bang!

The little boy swung the toy gun and smashed it into an old wooden music box.

The music box was the only thing my late mother left me.

It shattered instantly, bits and pieces flying everywhere.

"So noisy!"

He made a face and raised his foot as if to stomp on the pieces.

"Enough!"

I could not hold back anymore and yelled at him. Then, I crouched down to pick up my mother’s keepsake.

"Waah—"

The little boy fell dramatically on the thick carpet and started bawling his eyes out.

He held his forehead like he was seriously hurt.

"What are you doing!"

Elena screamed and charged over like a madwoman, shoving me out of the way.

As I was wearing heels, I lost my balance and tumbled heavily to the floor.

My palm landed on the sharp gears of the music box, and blood flowed.

But no one cared that I was bleeding.

Lorenzo rushed over and picked up the boy who was still pretending to cry, his expression darkening horrifically.

"Vivian, have you lost your mind? He’s just a child! Do you have to do this to him?"

I held up my bleeding hand, tears streaming down my face.

"He broke my music box... it was my mother's..."

"Who cares about an old music box? It's worthless."

Lorenzo cut me off, his gaze icy and cutting.

"You'd knock over the family's heir for some dead woman's junk? Vivian, it seems I’ve spoiled you rotten. You've forgotten your place."

The guests started whispering and pointing.

They were all watching the jealous Don's wife make a fool of herself.

Elena cradled her child with slightly teary eyes, playing the victim.

"Vivian, I know you don’t like me, but my child is innocent. If you're mad, take it out on me. Don’t hit Leo."

Her words got Lorenzo even more riled up.

To establish Elena's authority in front of everyone and to solidify that illegitimate boy's position, Lorenzo did something that I would never forget for the rest of my life.

He pulled out the gold-plated Desert Eagle from his waist and slammed it on the table with a loud bang.

The place went silent.

He pointed at me, his voice devoid of any warmth.

"Get on your knees and apologize to Elena and Leo."