Chapter 3

Everyone knew that Romolo Santis, the Santis family's heir, had been kidnapped and poisoned as a child. He hurt his spine and had to be confined to a wheelchair for life. Now, he was plagued by many illnesses, and rumors said he wouldn't live past 30.

The Fabbri family's heir was a notorious good-for-nothing who spent his days lounging in bars with models. The number of women he brought home every year was simply beyond count.

The buzzing was unbearable. I was about to leave, but Leonora held my shoulder and said, "I almost forgot. Viviana has been seeing someone. She was on a date during the days of the trade summit."

The socialities erupted in laughter.

"We thought she was a business prodigy. Turns out she's just another lovesick fool!"

"Leonora is the true prodigy. That analytical report she wrote was a masterpiece."

My expression darkened. But before I could explain myself, the sound of glass shattering cut through the room.

"My face!" The hostess of the gala, Carla Greco, covered her face and screamed. "Who sent the perfume? It nearly disfigured me!"

A shattered perfume bottle lay on the ground, while Carla's face was breaking out in crimson hives. It looked like a serious allergic reaction, for she had clawed at her skin until it bled.

The butler picked up the broken bottle and looked in our direction. "The two young ladies of the Rosa family brought this."

Leonora immediately pointed at me and explained, "Viviana had this custom-made for you, Lady Carla! She must have done this on purpose!"

I glared at Leonora. She was a fool. The Greco family was so powerful—if they truly believed this was an attempted attack, the entire Rosa family would be implicated.

When the bodyguards swarmed us, Leonora looked like she was about to faint from terror.

After the examination, the doctor declared that there was no poison in the perfume. It was just loaded with synthetic ingredients.

Everyone knew that Carlo was allergic to artificial scents. She could only ever use perfume made from 100% natural extracts.

Leonora shot me a venomous look and said, "If you don't believe me, you can ask the bodyguard who came with us. He's the one who carried the gifts inside."

I looked at Marco, hoping that he might tell the truth. However, what he said next turned my blood to ice.

"Lady Carlo, the perfume…" He clenched his fists and looked at me guiltily. "Ms. Viviana handcrafted it herself.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Viviana Rosa?"

I let out a bitter laugh and hid my disappointment. I shook my head. What else could I say?

Marco was the Santis family's son. If he wanted me to take the fall, he had countless ways to make the charges stick.

Very well. I would consider this payment for saving my life.

Carlo instructed solemnly, "We shall proceed according to the laws of this family—12 rounds of electric shock."

After I was tied to the chair, the butler pressed the baton into my chest. My body convulsed, and every nerve screamed in protest.

The mocking gazes of the crowd felt like salt to my wound.

I opened my eyes and saw Marco and Leonora in an intimate embrace. Her back was turned to me, her face buried in his chest to hide away from the gory scene.

I clenched my jaw and stayed silent. After 12 rounds of electric shock, my mouth was oozing with blood. I closed my eyes as tears rolled down my cheeks.

Marco and I were even now. I had paid my debts after this incident.

From now on, we were strangers.