I Came Back to Life and Traded up My Fiancé

I walked out of Don Guerra's private greenhouse and ran right into Aurelio Guerra and his right-hand men.They saw me, exchanged a look, then peeled off. One of them couldn't resist getting in one last jab."Wanda, are you stalking Mr. Guerra again? You've been neglecting your family's business for some guy. Aren't you worried your mother would be turning over in her grave, seeing you stoop this low?"Aurelio's gaze swept over me. He was impatient. "What are you doing here again? Hoping Don Guerra leans on me for you? Planning to trot out that century-old marriage pact between our families again?"You Santoros really need a new trick besides holding me to the long-standing ties between our families. Save it. Everyone's talking about you pursuing me, and it's killing my reputation."I'll be taking a hard look at this marriage arrangement. Begging won't get you anywhere."His gaze oozed arrogance.Just like in my last life, everything I felt for him only came across as desperate c

Every pair of eyes in the room turned to me, waiting for my answer.Just then, a figure stepped out of the shadows on the second-floor landing and came down the stairs.He wore a silver mask that hid half his face. He was tall, and his shoulders were squared. He had a quiet but commanding presence.It was the eldest Guerra heir, Cesare Guerra.The crowd stirred again. A low murmur of curiosity rippled through the room.I was about to say I'd chosen to marry Cesare when Don Guerra's warning rang in my head."I'll back you if that's what you want, but keep it quiet for now. The Guerras run deep. Tip your hand too soon, and you'll only invite trouble."I hesitated and held my tongue.Cesare's steps faltered. Behind the mask, a shadow flickered in his eyes.I understood Don Guerra's concern. Inside the Guerras, factions filled every corner. Everyone kept their eyes on the family fortune that would shape the future.I stopped trading barbs with Aurelio and let the harsh chatter sw

My words landed like a gavel. I looked past Aurelio at Cesare. Shock and humiliation were written all over Aurelio's face."I chose Cesare Guerra."The room went dead quiet. Eyes flicked between me and Cesare, stunned.Aurelio snapped out of it and jabbed a finger at Cesare. His voice was shaking with anger. "Wanda, you're out of your mind! Look at him. He's a monster. You'd rather marry a freak who won't even show his face than marry me?"His bellow ricocheted across the venue, harsh and grating.I met his gaze, flat and cold. "Mr. Cesare's ten times the man you are on the inside. He doesn't steal other people's work, and he'd never frame his own family."Every word was a knife, driven straight into Aurelio's heart. The color drained from his face. His lips trembled, and he couldn't get a word out.Maeve crumpled to the floor. Her eyes were wide with terror and despair.Right then, Don Guerra stepped onto the stage, leaning on his cane, with the butler steadying him.Don Guer

Aurelio had no idea I'd already swapped out several key ingredients in Reverie. He got a pretty shell with nothing inside.Without my blending process and my signature heart notes, his so-called Reverie was just a cheap, nose-stinging synthetic. He completely blew it.After the botched launch, Aurelio's company went into free fall. The stock plunged instantly, and the cash flow dried up overnight. He became the butt of the joke in both the Mafia and the fashion world.Reverie's collapse left Aurelio's company on the brink. The media pounced, claiming he'd stolen someone else's idea and was a fraud.The people in his orbit couldn't back away fast enough. Collection notices poured in. He was in a full-blown panic, begging for favors and running into walls everywhere.Meanwhile, Renata pulled ahead, took over the domestic market, and attracted partnership offers from several top-tier global brands. Santoro Group's reputation soared to an all-time high.…That day, I was in my offic

I held Aurelio's gaze, calm as ever. "No. You ruined yourself. Your greed, your selfishness, your malice. Those were the hands that pushed you over the edge."The bailiffs hauled him away, but his venomous stare burned into the room.I knew it was over. The case was closed.Aurelio was sentenced to life in prison, and Maeve received ten years for stealing trade secrets. Their names became a stain in the Mafia.With the scandal piled on top of mismanagement, Dad's company, Santoro Group, went under fast. I leveraged the Santoros' connections and took over the company without a hitch.I cleaned house, kicking out the leeches who'd been feeding off Dad and Maeve, one by one. Finally, the Santoros were back where we were meant to be.Once the family business was settled, I went to the prison to see Aurelio for the last time.Through a thick pane of glass, I saw him in a prison jumpsuit. His head was shaved, and he looked so gaunt that he was barely recognizable.The arrogance and s