Chapter 4

"Why would Moretti post this?"

"Wait, the stolen cache in the notice... isn't that what Mr. Falcone just gave his bride?"

"This prime route is actually private Moretti property?"

"This makes no sense. If it's Moretti turf, why would the Falcone Boss gift it to their own Principessa?"

"Could it be... the woman on the altar isn't the real Moretti Principessa?"

Informants from the major families ignored the guards. They rushed to the altar and shouted.

"Miss! Are you truly Sienna, the Moretti heir?"

Lexi turned pale, grabbing her skirt and backing away.

Rhys stepped forward to shield her and shouted.

"Sorry, everyone. This is my private wedding, not a Commission sit-down. Step back!"

"Why are you afraid to answer, Mr. Falcone? Is the bride a fake?"

"Then the lady who tried to stop this... she must be the real Moretti Principessa, right?"

Lexi was so scared she sobbed, grabbing Rhys's sleeve. "Rhys... I'm scared..."

"Shut up, all of you!" Rosa stood up, her face livid as she waved her hand.

"The ceremony is over! Guards, throw them out!"

"Wait, Mr. Falcone! You still haven't answered the question about the fake bride!"

"What exactly is going on! You can't just throw us out like this!"

The loud questions faded as the guards shoved the guests out.

Finally, the heavy doors slammed shut.

Lexi trembled inside the hall, her tears dropping onto her phone screen.

The kicked-out crowd had already spread the news all over the mafia network.

[Shocking Scandal at Mafia Wedding of the Century: Is the Bride a Fraud?]

[Childhood Sweetheart Steals the Spotlight, Swallows the Principessa's Family Cache!]

Lexi cried uncontrollably. "What do we do? They've dug up my background. Everyone is laughing and trashing me..."

Rhys glared at the thousands of mocking comments. He locked the screen without a word.

Meanwhile, I had just fixed my clothes and was about to leave through the back door when the dressing room door was kicked open.

"Well, well. Where does our noble Principessa think she's running off to?"

A few Capos and bridesmaids blocked the door. One man reached out and grabbed my arm.

"Get lost. Let go!"

I raised my hand to slap him, but he caught my wrist mid-air.

The Capos wore malicious smirks, holding trays with glasses of straight whiskey.

"Don't get so angry, future Donna. Marrying into the Falcones means taking a drink."

"When you posted that notice, Ma'am, weren't you just trying to expose Lexi?"

"Then the boys will grant your wish. We came to toast you, the real Principessa!"

My arms were pinned down. I was shoved into the corner.

"Let me go! Rhys, tell them to get lost. Let me leave!"

Rhys stood at the door with his hands in his pockets, shrugging casually.

"Don't be scared. You're part of the Falcone family now. The boys are just showing you our rules."

"Hear that! The Boss has spoken!"

"No!! Get lost!"

I struggled desperately. My nails left bloody scratches across a Capo's face.

But they outnumbered me, and they were all burly enforcers.

I couldn't break free.

Someone squeezed my jaw, forcing my mouth open. Cheap whiskey and cold champagne were violently poured down my throat.

They didn't stop until I choked and slumped onto the cold floor.

I watched them laughing and gloating while I was drenched in alcohol.

I pulled a shawl around myself and curled up in the corner.

My wet hair stuck to my cheeks. I couldn't tell if it was alcohol or my own tears.

I glared at Rhys with red eyes as he walked over. My throat burned so badly I couldn't even speak.

Rhys crouched in front of me. He loosened his grip, and dozens of freshly printed photos rained down on my face.

Every photo showed me being held down and force-fed liquor, looking like a total mess.

"Rhys!! You bastard!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

He curled his lips into a cold smile. "Be a good girl. Now record a video. Clear things up with the crowd and smooth things over for Lexi."

My whole body shook uncontrollably.

He pinched my chin, rubbing his thumb against my cheek, and leaned close to my ear.

"Sienna, you're disgraced. Except for me, no other man in our world will want you. Stop acting so high and mighty. Remember, this alliance is now on my terms.

"Just be obedient. You don't want everyone in the mafia to see how you looked just now, do you?"

"No..."

Filled with humiliation and anger, my tears fell uncontrollably.

Two guards instantly pinned me down in front of a mounted camera.

Rhys stood in the camera's blind spot and spat out a single word. "Speak."

Left with no choice, I gritted my teeth.

"I'm Sienna Moretti. Because I felt sick, I asked Lexi to finish the ceremony for me today.

"The woman causing a scene was just a crazy intruder. I willingly gifted the cache and the route to Lexi. That online statement... our family account was hacked..."

Someone pressed down on my shoulder, forcing me to bow.

Rhys stepped forward and saved the recording, looking satisfied.

He glanced at me and ordered his men. "Find her clean clothes. I'll go check on Lexi."

"Understood, Boss."

But when Rhys returned to take me to the bridal suite, the two guards were knocked out cold. The back window was wide open, and the room was empty.

"Today is our wedding night. Where could she run looking like that?"

Rhys frowned. He figured a woman in that state with no one else to rely on would crawl back on her own soon.

Right then, a man ran over in a panic, holding up his phone.

"Boss! Something huge happened!

"The Moretti family just announced an alliance with the Russo family!

"All the core weapons and smuggling routes they supply us were just cut off!"

"What?!"