Chapter 4

Once I had all the evidence, I didn’t attack immediately.

Sophia wanted me destroyed before the Yue family took me back.

Fine.

I’d let her watch me walk straight to her… and take everything without lifting a finger against her.

The next day, I went to work as usual.

My company looked like a real estate firm on the surface.

Secretly, I controlled several critical shipping lines and storage networks in the Italian Quarter.

The Yue family had collapsed over the years—port projects failing, cash flow broken, internal wars.

Their only profitable project was a downtown renewal deal… with my company.

In other words:

The Yue family didn’t want me back just for “family bonds.”

They needed me.

They needed my power, my money, my connections.

At noon, Noah suddenly showed up in my office.

He wore a clean suit, holding a file, much more obedient than before.

“Mia, I brought you these documents.”

I took it.

Records of the Carter family’s secret deals with Sophia over the years.

He whispered:

“My father found out about last night. He sent me to apologize.”

I flipped through the pages calmly.

“Just an apology?”

Noah rushed to add:

“The Carters will cut all ties with Sophia.

And if the Yue family has a power shift… we’ll stand with you.”

I glanced at him.

“Your father’s quick to react.”

Noah pressed his lips together.

“He doesn’t want to anger you… for Sophia.”

I closed the file.

“Tell him I accept his position.

As for cooperation… we’ll see how you behave.”

Noah exhaled in relief.

He was about to say more when my secretary knocked and brought in meeting documents.

She saw Noah but said nothing, left quietly.

Once the door closed, Noah asked quietly:

“Javier and Leo… are you giving them a second chance too?”

I found it amusing.

“Are you all competing for something?”

Noah blushed and looked down.

“…No.”

I didn’t call him out.

These Mafia heirs had been spoiled their whole lives—used to winning, fighting, dominating.

Now they’d been used by Sophia, outplayed by me, and trapped by their own mistakes.

Their pride was shattered.

But I wasn’t here to comfort them.

I only cared about their families’ power… and their silence.

When work ended, I went down to the parking garage.

A huge bouquet of flowers sat on my driver’s seat, with a note:

Let me start over. With a real apology.

From Leo.

I stared at it, then tossed the flowers in the backseat.

Before I could get in, the passenger door opened.

Leo slid into the seat.

He looked calm, but nervous.

“I know you hate people making choices for you.

But I want to drive you home.”

Before I could answer, Noah ran over from behind.

He saw Leo and scowled.

“What are you doing here?”

Leo said calmly:

“None of your business.”

Noah sneered.

“Don’t forget you were the one who sent her photo.”

Leo looked at me.

“I’m fixing what I broke.”

Noah shot back:

“One USB drive doesn’t make you clean.”

They were about to argue again.

I tapped the car door firmly.

“Enough.”

They both went silent instantly.

I looked at Leo.

“Get out.”

Leo froze.

Noah almost smiled—until I turned to him.

“You too.”

Noah’s grin died.

I said calmly:

“I’m not a prize for you to fight over.

If you want to work with me, act like business partners.

If you want to settle grudges, fight each other somewhere else.

Don’t block my way.”

I got in, closed the door, and pulled away.

In the rearview mirror, two young Mafia heirs stood there, humiliated.

I didn’t care.

The person who really needed to be dealt with was still in the Yue household.