Chapter 1

"Madam, the seven o'clock speech is ready."

The butler handed me the final confirmed list. I glanced down at it and found no issues.

Over the past three years, I had attended countless banquets like this one.

Because I was the Moretti Donna.

This title was never just a name. It represented the alliance between the Carter family and the Moretti family, the shared interests of both families.

In the mirror, I wore a black gown, with the Moretti Donna's Crest pinned on my chest.

Three years ago, Lucien himself had pinned that crest on me.

He said, "From today, you represent the Moretti family."

Back then, I thought I had a place in this family, at least.

The banquet began, and the Seven Families arrived one after another.

Lucien stood beside me, wearing a black suit, cold and restrained.

Just like the Moretti heir the rumors described.

I turned to him and said, "After tonight, don't forget tomorrow's meeting with the Carter family."

"I remember."

He answered flatly, nothing more. That was Lucien.

When I married Lucien three years ago, everyone said the Moretti family had chosen the Carter family.

But no one forgot that he had turned down every political marriage for Sophia until the Rossi family fell.

Her departure had forced that relationship to end.

Sophia walked up to us. She looked at Lucien, her eyes slightly red, and said, "Long time no see."

Everyone was watching, watching the woman who had disappeared for three years, watching the current Donna of the Moretti family.

I was about to speak, but Sophia turned to me first. She smiled gently, even with a hint of gratitude, and said, "You must be Lilian. Thank you."

I frowned slightly. "Thank me for what?"

She leaned in, the corner of her lips curling slightly, and said in a voice only I could hear, "Thank you for taking care of my man for me."

I looked at her. No anger, no questioning.

Because what really stung wasn't what she said, but that Lucien didn't refute it.

Three years ago, if someone had dared to call Lucien that, he would have shut them up immediately.

But now, he just stayed silent.

The dinner continued, but everyone's attention had shifted.

Sophia was seated next to Lucien.

She talked with him about the past, about the things they had gone through together.

I sat on the other side, like an afterthought.

As dinner neared its end, Sophia raised her hand to adjust her shawl, but her fingers suddenly froze.

She instinctively touched her neck, and her face gradually paled. "My necklace..."

Her voice was soft, but loud enough for those around to hear.

Lucien immediately turned. "What's wrong?"

Sophia raised her chin, her neck bare, looking panicked. "It's gone. It was the only thing my mother left me."

The banquet hall instantly fell silent. The security head standing nearby stepped forward quickly. "Boss, should we lock down the venue?"

Lucien nodded. "Temporarily stop anyone from leaving."

No one suggested a body search. Everyone present was an important member of the Seven Families, and no one would be foolish enough to publicly humiliate any family. But someone had to step up and set the example.

The family advisor said quietly, "If the item is indeed lost, I suggest we first check the staff area, then review the estate's surveillance footage."

Lucien was about to speak, but I stepped forward first. I took off my gloves and placed my evening clutch on the long table.

"Tonight's banquet is hosted by the Moretti family. I am the Donna of Moretti.

"If even I am unwilling to cooperate with the investigation, how can I ask others to do the same?"

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. In front of everyone, I slowly opened my clutch.

Phone, lipstick. I took out each item one by one. Nothing.

I was about to close the bag when a nearby waiter quietly reminded me, "Madam, there's an inner compartment."

I paused slightly. This handbag was a birthday gift Lucien had given me last year. The inner compartment was rarely used.

I reached in and pulled open the zipper of the hidden pocket. A familiar red caught my eye.

The ruby necklace lay quietly inside.

I stared down at the necklace, my mind blank.

I didn't even know when it had ended up here.

After a long moment, I slowly lifted my head. Through the crowd, I met Lucien's gaze.

His expression showed neither anger nor disappointment, just silent watching, as if waiting for an answer.

I suddenly found it ridiculous.

For three years, I had managed the relationships of the Seven Families for him, hosted every banquet for him, and upheld the dignity of the Moretti family's Donna.

In the end, the first person who needed to prove her innocence was me.

Lucien finally spoke. His voice was low. "Tell me, what's going on?"

I looked at him and shook my head gently. "I don't know."

At that moment, I finally understood.

What was truly easy to lose was never a necklace.

It was a person's trust.