Chapter 1

The silver fork slipped from Leo Lovera's hand and clattered to the floor. Sophia Costa's smile froze.

I sat in the antique chair she had complained was too hard, my fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

"Go tell my father I'll take care of the annoying rats in the estate soon."

My eyes swept over the fork on the floor and the woman in the revealing robe.

"Understood, Principessa." Bruce didn't spare Leo so much as a glance. He simply bent slightly at the waist, waiting for my reply.

The air of authority made Leo's heart skip, but he quickly dismissed the thought forming in his mind. He shot to his feet, the chair scraping harshly against the floor.

"What? We've been living in this estate for five years. What do you mean by illegal occupation? And what did you just call her? Principessa?"

Bruce straightened, his smile fading.

"Mr. Lovera, the estate's deed has always listed only Principessa Anna as the owner."

Sophia shrank behind Leo, tugging at his sleeve. "Leo, what's going on? Isn't Anna an orphan?"

Leo's expression twisted, cycling through shock and panic. He jabbed a finger at me and shouted, his voice cracking.

"Don't let her fool you. She's a fraud. When she married me, she didn't have a cent to her name. Nothing! This estate was just some rundown trash left behind by her family. How could it have anything to do with the Don? She must have hired people to put on an act. You're being played."

I watched the vein throbbing in his neck and couldn't help laughing.

I laughed coldly. "Played? You'll see how much of a performance it is when a bullet is in your throat."

Bruce immediately drew his gun, chambered a round, and leveled the black muzzle at Leo.

I watched Leo freeze in terror, fascinated, and then I raised a hand to stop Bruce.

"Killing him would be too easy. I want to do this myself. I want him to suffer the punishment he deserves."

The gun pressed to Leo's temple was pulled away. His body swayed.

He stared at Bruce in disbelief as Bruce stepped back with a respectful nod and left quietly.

The door closed.

Silence filled the room.

Leo turned his gaze on me, his eyes bloodshot.

Sophia dropped the fragile act at once, and her voice turned shrill. "Leo, she must have paid them off. I've seen tricks like this before. This woman is way too calculating. She's just trying to scare us and drive us out!"

Leo stormed toward me and grabbed my wrist, squeezing hard enough to crush bone.

"Anna, you've gotten bold. How dare you team up with outsiders to scheme against me? Talk. How much did you pay them? Where did the money come from? Did you steal it from my company?"

I looked at him coldly. "Let go."

"And if I don't, what are you going to do?" Leo spat, spraying my face.

"Listen here, I don't care whose name is on the deed. Once we're married, it's marital property. You think you can take it all for yourself? Dream on. And Sophia is pregnant with my first son. If you know what's good for you, you'll take care of her properly. Otherwise, you'll be sorry."

At that, Sophia immediately covered her still-flat stomach and leaned back against the couch, smug satisfaction all over her face.

"Anna, don't be mad at Leo. The doctor said I need to rest. If you keep bringing people into the house to cause trouble and scare the baby, can you afford the consequences?"