Chapter 3

Seeing that Lorenzo and Bianca had sided with Ava, the sycophantic mobsters around them began to pledge their loyalty.

"Exactly. These low-class people who try to ride our coattails are just leeches, sucking the family dry."

"Today she just broke a rule. If we let her get away with it, the other families will say the Falcones have no standards."

"Damn right. If we don't make an example of her, people on the street will think the great Falcone family has turned into a soup kitchen."

"I'd say Ava acted decisively. She was eliminating a threat to the Don."

In an instant, the party was filled with voices praising the secretary.

It was as if the person she had tortured to death was some unforgivable traitor from a rival gang.

And Ava herself had become the greatest hero, the defender of the family's honor.

Ava shot me a triumphant glance before turning and leaning timidly against Lorenzo again.

"But Don, the person you dealt with was the Donna's own mother. What if she uses her hidden connections to get revenge on me? Or what if she leaks this to the media..."

Lorenzo looked down at her, his eyes full of pity.

"Don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, no one in the entire Falcone family can touch a single hair on your head."

As soon as he finished, Lorenzo snapped his fingers. An underling immediately handed him a statement bearing the family crest, which he tossed in front of me.

"Helen, your mother overstepped first. Her death is her own damn fault, you can't blame Ava for it."

"Out of respect for our marriage, I won't hold you responsible for your mother trespassing on the Don's estate and ruining my Madre's welcome banquet."

"But you must sign this statement. Guarantee that this matter ends here, and you will never trouble Ava again. Once you sign, you will have cut all ties with your low-class family. From now on, you will have no one but me."

Bianca crossed her arms, looking down at me.

"Helen, your mother brought this on herself. Don't you dare try to pin this on Ava. Just be a good girl and sign the paper."

The siblings held their chins high, waiting for me to put my name on the line.

I reached out and gently pushed the paper back toward them.

My voice was calm, without a ripple of emotion. "A statement like this can only be signed by a Falcone. I wouldn't dare overstep."