Se connecterTime passed.I had almost completely forgotten about Matteo Leonardo and the crumbling ruin of the "Lion" family.I was busy—my world was filled with new route negotiations, expansion efforts, and internal family management.Until one day, while Paul was handling some fragmented intel from Naples, he casually mentioned their final outcome.After I had kicked Matteo out without mercy, he returned to Naples to face a complete disaster and growing discontent within the family.He blamed all his failures, humiliations, and lost power and wealth on one person—Carla.That woman he had once called "kitten," whom he had paraded as a replacement bride, was now ruthlessly abandoned as a scapegoat.He didn't "get rid of" her as he promised, but instead imprisoned her.In the damp basement of his decaying estate, Carla bore all of Matteo's anger and twisted revenge.At first, it was beatings—belts, clubs. He used her as a punching bag, to release frustration."You damn bitch! If it weren't for you
After leaving the Leonardo estate, I no longer bothered to hide my identity.Not long after, at a family gathering, my father, Vittorio Rossi, at a family gathering,handed me the family emblem that symbolized supreme power."From today on," my father's voice echoed throughout the hall, "Lillian Rossi, my daughter, will lead the 'Shepherd' family into a new era. Her commands are my commands."I became the youngest female Don in Europe.I was no longer the Principessa who needed to hide her identity..I consolidated the routes from Eastern Europe to South America, opened up new trade channels, and the family's wealth and influence grew rapidly under my leadership.Meanwhile, the "Lion" Leonardo family was facing its downfall.Without the "Shepherd" family's silent backing, it was like they'd lost their protection.Their vital weapons route to Eastern Europe was swiftly cut off. Their shipments were looted clean at the border by "unknown forces," resulting in total losses.The family bega
Matteo's expression shifted from anger to disbelief."This... this can't be true..." he muttered.Paul gave a slight bow. "Would you like me to prove it, Mr. Leonardo?"Matteo shook his head violently, as if trying to shake off a nightmare, the stubbornness clear in his blue eyes.."Impossible!" he cried shrilly, pointing at me, "You're lying! How could you possibly be... with the 'Shepherd' family? You're just...""Matteo! Shut your mouth!" Old Leonardo cut him off sharply. He turned to me, "Lillian... daughter of Don Vittorio... this... this is terrible misunderstanding..." He was incoherent with panic.Carla clutched her wounded wrist, pain and extreme terror making her tremble, but seeing Matteo's attitude, she grasped at a last straw. She struggled to speak, :"Mr. Leonardo... How could she possibly be the Principessa of that family? She must have used some trick... think about it, she was a nobody just moments ago! Look at her—she's plain, ordinary!, she definitely has somethin
The echo of Matteo's self-important words was still hanging in the air when the rear door of the lead armored vehicle opened.A distinguished middle-aged man stepped out. It was Paul Manzini—my father's most trusted Consigliere.Matteo's eyes lit up, and he immediately put on a warm smile and strode forward to greet him."Mr. Manzini!" His voice boomed with deliberate familiarity, "You honor us with your presence!" He extended his hand while gesturing to Carla beside him. "Allow me to introduce Carla, my personal bodyguard, and the bride I'm marrying today."His tone was filled with pride, and he dismissively waved a hand in my direction. "He expected some response from Paul—perhaps congratulations, maybe praise.But Paul simply glanced indifferently at Matteo, completely ignoring the extended hand, and walked right past him .Under everyone's shocked gaze, Paul walked directly to me, bowing slightly."Lillian, my great Principessa"His voice was steady and respectful."Anita" was jus
I paused, my tone turning cold and clinical: " The Leonardo family not only desecrated the gold pocket watch you personally selected as a symbol of our alliance—feeding it to a dog—but now their heir, Matteo Leonardo, is threatening to tie me up and throw me into the alligator pond. He's also declared that he will make our family disappear completely from Sicily.""What?!" My father's voice instantly turned as cold as Siberian ice. "That pocket watch represented the blood oath between our families! How dare they...?!""Father, I would never joke about our family's honor," my voice trembling with suppressed rage.Just then, Carla, perhaps trying to show her loyalty and bravery, suddenly rushed forward, snatching the satellite phone from my hand and screaming arrogantly into the receiver:"Hey! Is this backup the bitch called for, Listen to me, old man! I'm Carla, Matteo Leonardo's personal bodyguard and future bride! I'm warning you, stay out of this, or I'll deal with you too!"The lin
Matteo clearly didn't expect me to be so firm, and his expression darkened.Seeing this, Carla quickly stepped in, "Don't worry about it, Matteo," she said urgently, pressing her body against his arm, "A woman like her who doesn't know her place would never have been welcomed into the Leonardo family anyway!"Matteo nodded slightly, but there was hesitation in his eyes. "But... all the invitations have gone out. Every important person from Sicily is out there, especially the representative from that so-called 'Shepherd' family. If we call off the wedding now, our family will become a laughingstock all across Italy."Carla immediately pressed a hand to her heart in a dramatic vow of loyalty. "Matteo, you still have me, don't you?"Matteo's eyes lit up. "Carla, you're saying...?"Carla nodded vigorously, "The wedding goes on as planned! I'll be your bride!" For her, jumping from a bodyguard to the mistress of the Leonardo family, even nominally, was a dream come true.Matteo was so moved







