Chapter 3

After hearing my words, Nico nearly fainted from shock.

His face went pale. He grabbed my sleeve and practically begged in a low voice, "Benedetta, you're a core member of the family. The annual dividend from the Cirrane smuggling route hasn't been paid out yet.

"If you leave now, you're just handing that money to someone else! Please don't be impulsive!"

Valentina let out a scornful laugh. "Oh, please, stop the act! Core member? Who do you think you are?

"What other mafia family would pay you a six-figure salary? You've been spoiled rotten. That's why you have the nerve to threaten me with resignation."

She made it sound like a six-figure salary was some incredible gift. Too bad she had no idea that six-figure deals were just my starting rate in the underworld.

If it weren't for the fact that Nico had saved my life once, I'd already be sunbathing at the Cilian Island estate Lorenzo offered me. But explaining this to her was a complete waste of breath.

Once I left, the Castellano family would inevitably decline anyway. She'd understand exactly how valuable I was soon enough.

I said calmly, "I'll finish transferring all the partner contacts this week. Next week, I'm officially out."

Valentina looked at me mockingly. "Perfect. I'd love to see which family would take in trash like you, someone who only knows how to climb up by selling her body."

Nico was sweating bullets. Without the Fortune Consigliere, how long could the Castellano family's business even last? He was already calculating his exit strategy.

I didn't say another word. I turned and walked out. The moment I reached the hallway, several family members swarmed around me.

"Benedetta, are you okay? That woman's voice carried through the entire floor."

I shook my head and gave them a small smile.

"I'm fine. If she wants to throw a tantrum, let her. I'm leaving the family next week."

The announcement caused an uproar.

"You're leaving? What are we supposed to do?"

"Is she insane? She's actually driving out the Fortune Consigliere?"

"Maybe we should leave with Benedetta. The Castellano family is done for."

The chatter reached Valentina's ears. Her face flushed with rage as she stormed out and roared, "Don't you all have work to do? Who gave you permission to stand around gossiping?

"Everyone's getting fined 2,000 dollars. If I hear anyone else running their mouth, you're out!"

Her venomous gaze landed on me as she hissed, "Benedetta, go negotiate the contract with the boss of the Silver Triangle's Lombardi family right now. If you don't close the deal, you're not getting a single cent this month."

Seeing how frantic she looked, I could guess the reason. The Lombardi boss had probably refused the replacement and insisted I be the one to negotiate.

I'd just bought a limited edition sports car a few days ago. I really didn't have much money left on hand. With that in mind, I grabbed my bag and headed to the agreed location.

The moment Antonio Lombardi saw me in the private room, he rushed over with a beaming smile. "Signorina Gallo, you're finally here! The day after we met last time, my men took down two armed strongholds.

"It's just a shame you're always so busy. It's hard to even get a meeting with you."

As he spoke, he pulled an elegant box from his jacket and pressed it into my hands. Inside was a sapphire necklace crafted with Arupean royal techniques, priceless and impossible to find on the market.

This wasn't just a "gift" anymore. I instinctively tried to refuse. But he immediately put on a stern face, pretending to be angry.

"Signorina Gallo, are you disrespecting me? Refusing my gift can be very dangerous."

He'd already gone that far. Refusing now would be asking for trouble. I had no choice but to accept the necklace and walk him through signing the hundred-million-dollar arms contract.

When I returned to family headquarters, I went to the finance department to get reimbursed for the day's entertainment expenses.

The finance officer, Maximo Rizzo, was about to approve my signature when Valentina suddenly barged in. She snatched the receipt and frowned.

"50,000 dollars for one meal? Are you working with the restaurant owner to inflate the bill on purpose?"

Was she an idiot? I couldn't take the client to a three-star restaurant for a hundred-million-dollar arms deal? Should I have brought him to a food truck instead?

Maximo explained carefully, "Signorina Accardi, this is the rule the boss himself set. Any deal over five million dollars has no cap on entertainment expenses. Benedetta followed protocol."

Being contradicted made Valentina's face turn ashen with rage. "Who gave you the guts to talk back to me? I bet Benedetta slept with you too!"

Maximo's eyes went wide with shock. "Signorina Accardi, how can you question my loyalty to the family like that?"

"Loyalty? You think you deserve to talk about that?" Valentina's face dripped with contempt.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Don't bother coming in tomorrow. Pack your things right now and get out of the Castellano family!"