Chapter 5

Early the next morning, I was dragged out of the water dungeon, thrown into a car, and hauled directly to the Leon family's grand hall.

The hall was packed. Marco stood on the stage looking high and mighty.

Sophia stood beside him in the white gown that was originally mine.

I lay at the end of the red carpet, covered in blood.

Marco looked at me, took Sophia's hand, and pinned a platinum badge on her chest.

Sophia looked at me provocatively.

After the ceremony, Marco walked over to me.

He looked down at me from his height.

"Elena, even though you betrayed me, I'm benevolent."

"If you swear loyalty to Sophia right here, you can stay at the estate. As Sophia's maid."

"This is my final mercy."

I looked up. "Marco, keep dreaming."

Sophia immediately clutched her chest, feigning terror.

"Marco, look at her... her eyes are so scary. She'll definitely try to kill me in my sleep..."

Marco snapped.

"Ungrateful wretch!"

He kicked me in the shoulder, knocking me over.

"If you won't kneel, I'll have someone teach you how!"

Several soldatos rushed up, held me down, and forced my head against the floor.

"Kowtow! Apologize to the Mistress!"

My head slammed against the ground. Blood ran into my eyes.

Just then, a massive engine roar erupted outside.

The heavy iron gates were smashed open.

Two rows of bodyguards in black rushed in, instantly seizing control of the room.

Marco and his men froze.

Over a dozen bulletproof luxury cars drove in, blocking the entrance completely.

The doors opened, and several elderly men with canes stepped out.

The crowd gasped.

Old One-Eye of the Gambinos, the Butcher of Chicago, the Boss of the Lucchese family... they were all heavyweights of the underworld.

On the lead Rolls-Royce was the lion crest of the Corleone family.

Marco straightened his tie and even smoothed his hair.

"Did you see that, Sophia?" Marco's voice trembled with excitement. "Even the Corleone family is here to congratulate me! This is the kind of pull I have!"

He strode forward to welcome them.

As he passed me, he deliberately stomped on me.

"Dons, it is an honor to have you here!"

Marco extended both hands, intending to shake Old One-Eye's hand.

"I am Marco, your humble junior. I have long admired..."

Old One-Eye didn't even look at him; he walked right past him.

His hand froze in mid-air.

Immediately after, every single boss walked right past him.

Marco's smile froze on his face as he stood there awkwardly.

He turned around.

"Gentlemen... I was just about to clean up..."

He stopped mid-sentence, stunned.

Because all those big shots had stopped right in front of me.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Swish—

Over a dozen Dons simultaneously removed their hats, pressed them to their chests, and bowed in perfect unison to me.