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Chapter 3

Author: suiiu
Rossi Manor was filled. Aside from the Capos, there were also the Rossi famiglia's business partners. There were even more guests than there had been at my wedding.

Everyone in the grand hall was dressed to the nines. Their high-end designer jewelry glittered under the chandeliers.

I was the only one clad entirely in black. I didn't wear any jewelry or accessories; only a white flower was pinned to my chest.

Gabriele stood in the middle of the crowd, looking dapper in his suit, swirling the wine glass in his hand.

Bella Fontana stood beside him, and she was far from healed. She wore a wine-red evening gown that matched the color of Gabriele's tie.

Her lower leg was still bandaged, and she seemed unsteady on her feet. The moment she saw me, her eyes immediately misted over. "Adele."

Bella let go of Gabriele and closed the distance between us before reaching out to lead me to the main table. I avoided her touch. Her hand froze in midair and tears brimmed in her eyes.

She raised her hand and motioned for someone to hand her a manila envelope. Her voice was choked with emotion. "These are everything my parents left me. Tonight, before all of you, I present them to Signor Ettore. I know it was his birthday that day, and Don Rossi couldn't keep his promise to him because of me. Consider this my compensation to him."

The hall went silent for a moment before applause broke out from all around. Several guests raised their glasses to praise Bella for her generosity, claiming she truly embodied the bold spirit of the Rossi famiglia.

After hearing their compliments, Bella couldn't hide her smile. "I hope you won't hold it against me, Adele. This is all I can do."

One of the guests beside her immediately chimed in, "Bella hasn't even recovered from her injuries, yet she's still keeping the entire famiglia in mind."

"Bella's been injured for such a long time, yet the Donna only made an appearance today; she doesn't even have the decency to check up on her."

I set my handbag on the table beside me.

"It's been a long time since I've seen Signor Ettore," Bella said softly, holding my gaze. "I don't want there to be any misunderstandings between us."

The female Capo behind her immediately stepped forward to comfort her. "I know you pour your heart out for others, but that doesn't mean they'll do the same with you."

Bella bit her lip and braced herself against the table. Then, she made a move toward the exit. "I'll head back first, then. I shouldn't have come here today."

Her voice was loud enough that the Capos around us all saw her stumble toward the exit with red-rimmed eyes. One of the guests immediately flagged down an attendant, who hurried forward to support her and guide her back into her seat.

The hall buzzed with chatter as everyone's gaze shifted back and forth between Bella and me.

Marco Lombardi, the Rossi famiglia's Consigliere, emerged from the crowd when he heard the commotion. "I knew it. I should've stopped Don Rossi back then. How could a commoner become the Donna of the Rossi famiglia?

"A woman with an unknown background has nothing to offer the famiglia, so what right does she have to meddle in the famiglia's affairs? Signor Ettore carries the bloodline of the Rossi famiglia. How dare you use him as a bargaining chip!"

Gabriele set his wineglass down on the table and interjected, "There will only ever be one Donna in the Rossi famiglia. Whoever says another word can get the hell out right now!"

Silence settled over the hall. He reached out, pulled me into his arms, and lowered his head to whisper in my ear, "Bella's young, and she lost her parents at an early age because they sacrificed themselves for the famiglia. Don't hold it against her. After tonight, I'll make sure to spend some quality time at home with you and Ettore."

He surveyed the hall before adding, "There's one more thing I need to announce tonight. I hereby declare that Ettore Rossi will become my heir."

A round of applause broke out from the guests. Gabriele smiled with satisfaction before turning to me and asking, "Where's Ettore?"

I had just stepped out of his embrace, and before I had a chance to part my lips, Bella inquired, "Adele, why didn't Signor Ettore come tonight?"

In an instant, all eyes were on me.

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  • I'm the Mafia Princess He Should've Feared   Chapter 10

    The following spring, the foundation established in Ettore's name officially launched. It provided medical and educational assistance to children in need. In addition, it invested in the construction of a children's amusement park. On its grand opening, a plaque bearing Ettore's name was mounted at the entrance. There were no elaborate decorations inside, just safe, gently sloping paths and brightly colored playground equipment. A dedicated space had also been set aside for children to rest and read. Children ran into the park hand in hand with their parents. Their laughter echoed through the fountain and filled every inch of the grounds. I stood at the entrance with a white flower pinned to my chest, watching them without stepping inside. "Adele." A familiar voice sounded from behind me.I turned around and found Gabriele a short distance away. He looked far more exhausted than before. His suit was still immaculate, but he no longer carried the confidence from his days as the

  • I'm the Mafia Princess He Should've Feared   Chapter 9

    Three months later, I officially took over a portion of the Clemente famiglia's affairs. At my first famiglia meeting, a proposal from the Rossi famiglia was lying on the table. They wanted to sell off their last few properties and were pleading with the Clemente famiglia to acquire them. They also hoped we would temporarily allow them to retain their business privileges in Sicelia. The person responsible for the negotiations was the Rossi famiglia's Consigliere, Marco. He stood before me with his head hung low, and he no longer carried the arrogance he'd displayed when he accused me at the banquet. "We're no longer capable of sustaining our former business operations, Signorina Clemente. Should you lend a hand, countless people will remember your grace!"After flipping through the proposal, I pushed it back across the table. "What you need is a fair transaction, not charity from the Clemente famiglia." Marco looked up and rushed out. "But if things go on like this, the Rossi

  • I'm the Mafia Princess He Should've Feared   Chapter 8

    A month later, I encountered Gabriele outside Clemente Manor. He had lost a lot of weight, and his suit was no longer crisp. He clutched the ring I'd left behind. He hurried out of his car and stopped a few steps away from me. "Adele," he called out quietly. "I know I have no right to see you."I remained silent.He tightened his grip on the ring, and his eyes gradually misted over. "I've never stopped loving you, nor have I stopped loving Ettore. I just thought you two would always be home, waiting for me. I was blind. I failed to see right through Bella. I've already made her pay for what she did!"He raised his head, as if he could no longer hold himself together. "Won't you please give me another chance, Adele?" I held his gaze, and I suddenly recalled that rainy night at the old harbor many years ago. Back then, he had been covered in blood, yet he had still stood in front of me, claiming he would protect me. Yet, the person who truly needed his protection was Ettore. He

  • I'm the Mafia Princess He Should've Feared   Chapter 7

    Bella raised her head and shrieked, pointing at Gabriele. "I've known him since I was ten! One summer, we played a game in the courtyard. He played the groom, and I played the bride. "But it wasn't a game to me. It was everything I'd ever hoped for!" She chuckled before her expression suddenly twisted with malice. Then, she whipped around and glared at me. "But everything changed after you came along! I never wanted Ettore dead. I only wanted Gabriele to spend a little more time with me." Bella turned around to face Gabriele. "When I was injured, you stayed by my side every single day. Doesn't that mean you have feelings for me?" she choked out.Gabriele gazed at her wordlessly for a long while. "Your parents died for the famiglia. I took care of you solely out of my duty as Don. If I had known earlier that you harbored these intentions, I would've sent you away ages ago!" Bella stumbled backward. "I don't believe you! You're lying!" I ignored her shrill screams and raised m

  • I'm the Mafia Princess He Should've Feared   Chapter 6

    Three days later, cars filled the area outside the Clemente famiglia's cemetery. Every prominent famiglia in Sicelia had shown up, and the Rossi famiglia was no exception. Black sedans lined the roads outside the cemetery. The guests lowered their heads as they entered the church, and no one dared to raise their voice. I wore a black dress and stood beside Ettore's coffin, a white flower pinned to my chest. Papa stood beside me. Every famiglia head who walked in bowed to him first in respect. "Don Clemente."Then their gazes turned to me, and under my Soldato's watchful eye, they bowed respectfully. "Signora Clemente." Gabriele walked in with Bella. The moment he spotted me, he came to a halt. "What are you doing here? Where have you been these last few days?" I ignored him. Bella's gaze shifted past me to Papa, and her expression instantly hardened. "Adele," she forced out. "How did a commoner like you manage to get in with the Clemente famiglia?" Just then, my Soldato

  • I'm the Mafia Princess He Should've Feared   Chapter 5

    As the car pulled out of the manor, I didn't look back again. Rain pelted the windows, blurring the lights behind me. I lowered my head to look at the amusement park ticket in my palm. Its edges had grown soft and soggy from being soaked in the rain. …When I returned to Clemente Manor, Papa was already waiting for me in the foyer. He didn't ask me a thing. He merely reached out and stroked my head. "Ettore's already home." I nodded, and my tears finally spilled over. "I want to personally see him off to his grave, Papa.""Of course," he responded lowly. "No child of our famiglia will ever have to leave this world alone." The following day, my Soldato came to brief me on the latest developments in the Rossi famiglia. He stood before me with a conflicted look on his face, his right hand pressed against his chest. "Gabriele stayed at the hospital with Bella the whole night. He didn't leave until the doctor confirmed that her wound had merely reopened and that her life wasn't in

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