Chapter 3

"Be my guest."

Santino reacted as if he had just heard the funniest threat of his life.

"Actually using an engagement as a threat? Look at your pathetic state. How could you ever be worthy of the Moretti family's heir?" Bella chimed in with her mockery.

"Get the hell out! Don't let the Falcone heiress see you and think the Morettis associate with beggars!"

"Fine. I hope you guys don't regret this."

I shrugged and turned to leave.

Old man Moretti had wasted a lot of breath to arrange this marriage alliance. If he saw Santino acting like an idiot, he’d probably be mad enough to put a bullet in him himself.

"Wait!"

Bella suddenly rushed over, blocking my path.

I frowned. "What? Don't want me to leave now?"

Bella smiled sinisterly.

"Of course you have to leave."

"But you hit me just now, and you broke the young master's favorite antique. How are you going to pay for that?"

Santino's face shifted.

He stared at the shards on the floor; it was a decorative vase that Bella had knocked over when she smashed the plate earlier.

"Livia! You broke my antique vase?"

"Do you know what that was? I won that at Sotheby's for ten million dollars! It was a greeting gift for the eldest daughter of the Falcone family!"

Santino was enraged, veins popping out on his neck.

Bella wore a face full of gloating.

I threw my hands up. "Name your price, I'll pay for it."

Santino sneered:

"Pay? We could sell you to the black market for parts and it still wouldn't be enough to cover it!"

"A broke bitch whose entire outfit doesn't even add up to two hundred bucks actually dares to say she'll pay?"

The contempt in his eyes was practically overflowing.

He didn't know that the seemingly ordinary long dress I was wearing was custom-made by Italy's top seamstress—a priceless, off-the-market masterpiece.

"Then tell me, what do you want to do?"

I didn't want to tangle with them anymore; I just wanted to end this quickly.

"For the sake of being former classmates, I'll let you off the hook if you let me slap you ten times, then get on your knees and apologize to Mr. Santino."

Bella said viciously, seemingly already picturing me kneeling and begging for mercy.

Santino didn't say a word, clearly giving his tacit approval.

"In your dreams. As if you're worthy."

I laughed out of sheer anger.

"Refusing to do it the easy way. Get her!"

Bella, already knowing I wouldn't agree, gave the order.

Four bodyguards rushed me all at once. I took one down with a backhand, but I was vastly outnumbered.

Soon, my arms were pinned behind my back, leaving me completely immobilized.

Smack!

Bella stepped forward and slapped me across the face with all her might.

A burning pain flared up.

The metallic taste of blood seeped from the corner of my mouth.

I didn't cry out. I just stared her down, looking at her like she was a dead woman.

"You still dare to glare at me?"

Infuriated by my gaze, Bella raised her sharp high heels and kicked me viciously in the stomach.

"Ugh..."

A wave of intense agony hit me; it felt like my internal organs had ruptured. I hunched over in pain, instantly breaking into a cold sweat.

"Weren't you acting so tough just now? Scream for me!"

Bella grabbed a handful of my hair, forcing my head up. A tearing pain radiated from my scalp.

I gritted my teeth and roared:

"You idiots! I am Livia Falcone!"

"I am the heir to the Falcone family! You're asking for a death wish!"

Bella laughed so hard tears came to her eyes, speaking in an exaggerated tone.

"Oh my god, Boss, listen to this! This crazy bitch says she's the eldest daughter of the Falcones?"

"If you're a Falcone, then I'm the Queen of England!"

"You're really committed to this delusion, huh? I think you need another..."

Right at that moment.

An urgent ringtone suddenly rang out from my pocket.

It was my father's custom ringtone.

Bella was quick; she snatched the phone straight out of my pocket.

A single word flashed on the screen: Papà.

Bella looked at me smugly, pressed the answer button, and casually put it on speaker.

"Principessa..."

My father's slightly anxious voice came through the line.

"Where are you? I'm at the entrance of the Elysium Hotel, why don't I see you?"

Hearing that familiar voice, my grievances instantly erupted:

"Papà! Help me! I'm in the Imperial Suite!"

Bella smugly held onto my phone.

"Your daughter offended the Moretti family! This is what she gets!"

"Listen closely to how your precious daughter gets beaten!"

With that, she raised her hand again, ready to strike.

"Who dares to lay a finger on her!"

"Listen to me, whoever you are."

"If you dare touch another hair on her head, I will flay the skin from your body, inch by inch."

"Tell old man Moretti to prepare his own coffin."

My father's icy voice carried a heavy, murderous intent.