Chapter 4

“I forgot to mention something. Vera was successful in a recent family liaison assignment, saving the family from a substantial financial loss. Tonight’s banquet is a celebration I’m hosting in her honor.”

I lowered my gaze to the jewelry box in my hands, then looked up at the room decorated entirely around Vera. A chill settled deep in my heart.

Kane failed to notice how I had fallen completely silent. He continued explaining as though nothing were amiss.

“You used to complain that I always looked after her in private without including you. So this time, I made a point of inviting you along to keep you from getting the wrong idea.”

I spoke slowly, enunciating every word. “Kane, do you even remember what day it is today?”

He was startled for a moment, then looked up at me in confusion.

I curved my lips into a faint smile, finally letting go of everything. “Kane, we’re over.”

At that very moment, a chorus of excited greetings erupted from the entrance, drowning out my words.

Everyone’s attention shifted to Vera, who had finally arrived.

Kane practically rushed toward her at once, snatching the jewelry box from my hands and presenting it to her.

I took in the sight before me as my lips twisted into a bitter, mocking smile. Without another word, I turned around and walked away.

As I stepped through the entrance, I saw a message from my father.

[I’m back in the country. Since you’ve decided to reclaim the Florer family’s power, there’s no longer any reason for me to remain in hiding. I’ll attend next week’s council meeting in person.]

I replied with a simple: [Okay].

…

The following day, I stayed in my apartment, sorting through the family’s old records and preparing for the elders’ council meeting the following week.

Kane suddenly showed up at my door, his face twisted with fury. Vera followed close behind, looking timid and uneasy.

He angrily shoved his phone screen in front of me. On it were photos from the banquet at the private club the night before. One after another, they showed Kane presenting Vera with gifts, cutting the cake with her, and standing intimately close to her.

Every photo had been deliberately cropped to exclude everyone else in attendance, leaving only the two of them in their unmistakably intimate poses.

The comments below called out the Don for abusing his position, playing favorites, and crossing the line.

Kane’s gaze was icy, his expression full of accusation.

“You’re the one who leaked these rumors, aren’t you? Everyone in our circle is talking about it now. Vera’s reputation has taken a hit. This is completely unfair to her! Clarify it immediately. Tell them you were there that night and that we were simply looking out for her as family.”

Watching how utterly entitled he looked, I found the whole thing beyond ridiculous.

“And what if I refuse?”

Kane froze for a moment. Disappointment quickly surfaced in his eyes. “Lenore, you’ve never been this unreasonable or confrontational before.”

The accusation in his eyes was so blatant, it was almost laughable.

I had never been the one making the wrong choices or crossing boundaries out of favoritism. Yet somehow, I was always the one expected to swallow my pride, make concessions, and clean up the mess!

Before I could respond, Vera’s eyes reddened. Her voice trembled with wounded sorrow. “This is all my fault... If I’ve damaged Kane’s reputation and brought trouble to the entire family, I might as well be dead...”

Kane grew even more agitated seeing her in such a state. His tone turned threatening.

“Lenore, as Consigliere, you allowed these rumors to spread unchecked and disrupted the family’s order. If you issue a public clarification right now, I’ll let this matter go. But if you insist on refusing, I’ll strip you of every family privilege and all authority you hold, as the family rules dictate!”

At that moment, whatever remained of my feelings for him finally died.

How ridiculous.

The very authority he now wielded so arrogantly, the power he was threatening to use against me, was something I spent seven years helping him secure. I had poured my resources into his rise, called in every favor, and used every connection at my disposal to put him in that position. Now, he was turning it all against me.

He was willing to use the very power I had placed in his hands to pass judgment on me for the sake of an outsider!

The last vestige of affection in my heart went out completely.

“Fine. I’ll clarify.”

I picked up my phone, opened the post that had been circulating throughout the media, and typed out a response.

[I hereby clarify that Kane and I have long since grown estranged. Our engagement exists in name only. His associations with other women have nothing to do with me.]

Kane frowned, clearly displeased. “If you’re going to issue a clarification, then do it properly. There’s no need to make such a definitive statement.”

The controversy had temporarily died down, and his expression softened considerably. There was even a hint of condescension in his voice as he said, “I knew you’d be reasonable. I’ll try to make it to Wednesday’s meeting.”

I said nothing, merely staring at him in silence.

Taking my silence as agreement, he seemed satisfied. He slipped an arm around Vera and turned to leave.

The elders’ council meeting was scheduled for 6:00 pm on Wednesday.

At 7:00 pm, Kane sent me a message saying he had just dropped off Vera, who was feeling rather down, and was on his way.

At 8:00 pm, another message arrived. Vera was not feeling well, and he made an impromptu stop to bring her to see a specialist. He would be arriving a little later.

It was not until 9:00 pm that footsteps finally sounded outside the residence.

Kane appeared, his clothes slightly disheveled, a small gift dangling carelessly from one hand.

“Sorry I’m late. I…”

The words died in his throat. This was nothing like the cozy little gathering between lovers he had apparently imagined.

The entire hall was solemn and silent. The elders sat in their seats, every pair of eyes fixed coldly on him.

At the head of the hall sat my father, the former Don of the Florer family and a man everyone had believed dead for years. He gazed down at Kane with a dark, forbidding expression.

Every trace of Kane’s usual nonchalance and casual indifference vanished. His face went deathly pale.