Chapter 30— Shattered dynasty

Marcel's POV

I was seated by myself in the living room, my thoughts swirling with ideas of retribution. The invitation card scattered on the ground at my feet—a fitting symbol for my intentions regarding Raphael and Diana's relationship. I was left to my own affairs by everyone, including Serena, who appeared let down by my outburst toward my mother.

I pictured a vivid image of broken chandeliers, The astonished expressions. The lovely disorder I would generate at their welcoming celebration.

I took out my phone and called Marco, my brother.

Marco was the last born of the lorenzos but he's quite hot blooded and he hated Raphael as much as I do.

He doesn't like to stay in the family house because he didn't like the fact that gramps was always about business and living responsibly so he made dad and mom get him an apartment.

"Marco, I need your help," I said, skipping the formalities.

"What do you want, bro?" he answered immediately.

"Have you seen the venue where the introduction of Raphael and Diana is taking place?" I need you to arrive an hour prior to its beginning. "Include Allen as well, along with a few others we can rely on."

Allen was his closest friend, hot blooded like him too.

"Understood." "What’s the plan?"

"We're about to craft a moment they won't forget," I remarked, a grin spreading across my face. "Have you been to the place before, you see Those light fixtures, the chandeliers by the entrance?" "They are coming down."

Once I finished the call, I headed to my closet and took out my best black suit. If I were to interrupt their gathering, I'd make sure to do it with flair. This wasn't merely about stopping the wedding—this was about reclaiming what belonged to me. The Lorenzo dynasty was mine, not some long-forgotten brother who chose to reappear in our lives.

****

The night of the introduction party came sooner than I anticipated. I left my car together with Anna, a block from the venue and continued on foot. The chilly evening breeze failed to soothe the blaze within me.

Marco awaited our arranged meeting place alongside Allen and three other friends.

"Are you really certain about this, Marcel?" Anna inquired, her tone revealing her anxiety.

"I've never been more certain about anything in my life," I answered icily. "Does that fraud believe he can simply take everything away from me?" "Not going to happen"

We held off until the majority of the guests were present before we acted. The security was basic—a beginner's error by my grandparents. We entered through a side door that I had previously surveyed.

The location was adorned lavishly—undoubtedly, my grandparents had held nothing back for their beloved Raphael. Crystal chandeliers adorned the entrance walkway, illuminating the arriving guests with a warm light. Excellent.

I saw Diana briefly in a beautiful dress, beside Raphael. They welcomed visitors, beaming and chuckling as if they were fully entitled to joy. The view ignited a fury within me.

"Hold on for my signal" I murmured to my team.

I observed my grandparents, Gramps and Grandma Audrey, as they walked to the middle of the room. They were on the verge of making the formal announcement. The moment had arrived.

I hurriedly reached up to seize one of the chandeliers while Marco provided a diversion on the opposite side of the room. The chandelier was more burdensome than I thought, yet my rage provided me with power. With a forceful tug, I removed it from its hold.

The crowd gasped as I emerged from the shadows, chandelier in hand.

"Sorry to crash the party," I announced, my voice echoing throughout the suddenly silent room.

Diana's eyes widened in shock when she saw me. Raphael immediately moved in front of her, as if he could protect her from what was coming.

"Marcel, what are you doing here?" Raphael asked, his voice annoyingly calm.

"I'm here to stop this farce," I replied, tightening my grip on the chandelier. "This introduction party, this engagement, all of it ends now."

I hurled the chandelier toward them. Raphael pushed Diana out of the way just in time, and the crystal shattered against the floor, sending shards flying in all directions.

"You can't do this here, Marcel," Raphael said, his voice steady despite the chaos I'd just created.

"Says who?" I shot back, already reaching for another chandelier.

"This is my introduction party and you shouldn't be causing such commotion in here," he continued, as if reasoning with me would actually work.

"Introduction what?" I laughed, the sound hollow even to my own ears. "Introduction party? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I can't let this happen."

"Says who?" Grandma Audrey interrupted, stepping forward with fire in her eyes.

"Grandma, please stay out of it," I warned, not wanting to disrespect her but needing her to understand my position.

I grabbed another chandelier and threw it with all my might. Raphael moved Diana again, but this time, I was ready. Marco had positioned himself perfectly, and as Raphael turned, another chandelier hit him from behind.

Everyone screamed in shock as pieces of glass pierced through his tuxedo. Blood began to stain the back of his jacket.

"Oops, it hit you," I laughed, feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction at seeing him hurt.

"Marcel, you need to leave or else—" Raphael began, but was cut off by my mother.

"Or else what, Raphael?" Mom interrupted. "You would call the cops on him? You would beat him? Well, do that and let everyone know the kind of monster you are."

I smiled at my mother's support. At least she was on my side, even if everyone else seemed to favor Raphael.

I watched as Diana approached Raphael, concern etched on her face as she noticed the blood spreading across his back. Their whispered conversation only fueled my anger further.

"Aren't you tired of all this?" Diana suddenly yelled from behind Raphael.

"Yo, bitch, learn to keep your mouth shut, this doesn't concern you," I spat back, rage building at her audacity to address me.

"Oh, Marcel, this concerns me a lot because it is my introduction party, and you are ruining it," she replied, anger evident in her voice.

"So now you've got the nerves to talk back at me? Because you think you would become the heiress of the Lorenzo dynasty." I smirked. "Well, sorry to burst your bubbles, but that won't be happening, not on my watch."

"Marcel—" she started.

"Don't you dare mention my name from that filthy mouth of yours, you dirty lying impostor, bitch," I cut her off, watching as she bowed her head.

I seized the opportunity, grabbing another chandelier and hurling it directly at her. Raphael noticed too late, but somehow managed to shield her with his body, taking the full impact on his already injured back.

"That's enough, Marcel," Gramps yelled, stepping forward with authority.

"No, Gramps, it's not enough, unless you promise to give me everything right here and right now with your signature seal as proof, then it's not yet enough," I demanded.

"So all this is because of the properties and my will?" he asked, his voice tired.

I laughed. "Do you think I was doing this just because I want Diana back? Hell no! I have got the real daughter of the Kensington's. I don't need a fake one. Give me everything and then I would stop."

"Marcel! Stop this madness right now!" my father yelled, stepping forward.

"You think I would listen to a loser like you? You incompetent—" I never finished my sentence.

The sharp sting of a slap across my face silenced me. Grandma Audrey stood before me, her hand still raised, her eyes blazing with a fury I'd never seen before.

"How dare you talk to my son, your father like that," she said, her voice trembling with anger.

"And how dare you slap my son, your grandson," my mother countered, stepping forward to stand beside me.

In my rage, I reached for another chandelier, determined to make them all pay for choosing Raphael over me. But as I lifted it above my head, something unexpected happened. A security guard I hadn't noticed tackled me from the side, sending me and the chandelier crashing to the floor.

The last thing I heard before the world went dark was the collective gasp of the crowd and Diana's muffled cry.