Chapter 1

Upon seeing the yellow chrysanthemums, the smile drops from the face of Alessandra Colombo, the Donna of the Marchetti Famiglia. Her face becomes clouded with displeasure.

Carina Esposito, my husband's sister, saw that Donna Marchetti wasn't accepting the bouquet, so she thrust it into her arms. "I grew these yellow chrysanthemums myself, Donna Marchetti. I handpicked the prettiest nine blossoms and wrapped them especially for you.

"You don't have to be polite with me, Donna Marchetti. It might be a lot of hard work growing these flowers, but the moment I thought about this bouquet bringing you joy, I didn't feel weary in the slightest."

Upon hearing that, Leone Vittoria, my husband, instinctively pulled Carina into his embrace, his face etched with concern.

Donna Marchetti scoffed and handed the flowers to the Soldato beside her. "Is that so? Why would you choose yellow chrysanthemums—a flower meant to wish death upon someone in our culture—if your intention was really to make me happy?

She then ordered her Soldati, barking, "Get rid of everyone belonging to the Vittorio Famiglia this instant! Go place this bouquet right in front of Vittorio Group's main entrance and burn it to the ground!"

Just as I thought Leone was going to speak up in Carina's defense, Leone slapped her hard across the face instead, drawing a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth. "Have you lost your mind? Go apologize to Donna Marchetti right now!"

He then bowed his head respectfully to Donna Marchetti and said, "I'm truly sorry, Donna Marchetti. It was an oversight on my part, so the Vittorio Famiglia is prepared to concede another two percent on the Novaburg project."

Those around couldn't help but whisper among themselves after hearing that. "He's actually conceding two percent! That Underboss of the Vittorio Famiglia truly dotes on his sister!"

Upon hearing that, Carina threw a massive tantrum. "How can you hit me, Leone? She's clearly the one trying to burn the flowers I grew myself—"

Leone knocked Carina unconscious with a sharp strike before she could even finish speaking.

I watched from the side, amused by her sheer stupidity. I couldn't believe that someone would actually dare to throw a tantrum at Donna Marchetti's birthday banquet.

I immediately took a few steps forward and said, "I learned that you're from Malvorn a few days ago, so I asked a friend who studied in Malvorn to teach me how to make this sauce. I hope you'll like it, Donna Marchetti."

Donna Marchetti studied me in silence for a long time before finally saying, "You're truly intelligent, Valentina. You've caught my attention, but today, I want nothing to do with anyone from the Vittorio Famiglia."

Donna Marchetti turned and walked away after saying that, while we were driven out of the courtyard in utter disgrace.

Carina tugged at Leone's sleeve the moment the doors closed on us.

She sobbed pitifully, saying, "It's entirely Valentina's fault, Leone! She knew full well what yellow chrysanthemums signify and purposely kept it from me. She even deliberately showed off in front of Donna Marchetti after that! She has it out for me and just wanted to watch me make a fool of myself!"

Leone didn't even give me the chance to explain myself. He grabbed me by the throat and hissed, "You've truly infuriated me, Valentina!"

He tightened his grip as if he intended to break my neck. Just as I was suffocating, he finally flung me to the ground, took Carina's hand, and got into the car.

They slammed the door shut right before my eyes and drove off. The exhaust fumes mixed with the roar of the engine as they hit me in the face.

I merely thought that they were a bunch of fools—the real show had only just started.