Chapter 2

The next day, Enzo left the estate before dawn.

I ripped off the annoying black veil and stared at my clear, sharp eyes in the mirror.

Sofia entered, holding an encrypted tablet. “Donna, Manager Antonio sent the financial records for the past three years.”

I swiped the screen open.

Three years ago, I mobilized my family’s network to cover a disastrous loss from one of his arms deals.

Two years ago, I used my personal fortune to buy two top-tier casinos in the city’s core district, registering them under the Valenti family’s name.

One year ago, thirty million dollars were secretly funneled from an underground account to build that villa at Silver Lake.

My grip tightened on the tablet as I read the words “Silver Lake.”

“Who’s hidden away in that villa right now?”

Sofia bowed her head, her voice trembling. “Donna, it’s Clara. The one Enzo publicly calls his frail, adopted sister.”

“Adopted sister?” I laughed coldly. “I always thought it was strange how fiercely he protected an orphan with no connections.”

Sofia held out the tablet, whispering, “Forgive me, Donna. I only found this in the off-the-books ledgers. Clara isn’t an orphan. She’s the illegitimate daughter of the Russo family, the most powerful local family.”

My nails dug harder into the screen. So that was it.

No wonder Enzo was sucking me dry while secretly marrying her. Through this union, he had secured the support and votes of the old-guard local capos. A brilliant move, securing an alliance for nothing.

Sofia continued, “Mr. Enzo withdraws a large sum of cash from the money-laundering network every month and has it delivered to that villa.”

“And… I’ve heard that Clara… is pregnant.”

I slammed the tablet face down on the vanity.

Pregnant.

He was bleeding me dry, using my dowry to support his mistress and their bastard.

The profits from the arms and drugs under my name became his personal slush fund, financing the love nest he built for her.

I looked at Sofia, who stood frozen and trembling. “Don’t just stand there. Open my private vault.”

I walked into the climate-controlled vault in the basement.

It was filled with the rare treasures of the Moretti family, every piece a part of my dowry.

I gave a cold order to a few of my loyal men. “Pack up all the casino deeds and bearer bonds.”

The captain of my security detail asked in a low voice, “Ma’am, are we moving all these assets tonight?”

I snapped shut a blast-proof case filled with South African diamonds. “Yes.”

“Everything that belongs to the Moretti family. I’d rather toss it in the ocean than leave a single dime for that ungrateful bastard.”

As we were packing, a bodyguard ran in to report. “Donna, Clara is here.”

“She brought her own men and is insisting on seeing you, says she’s here for a visit.”

I put the black veil back on and, with Sofia’s help, slowly walked into the drawing room.

Clara was sitting on the main sofa as if she owned the place.

Seeing me enter, she stood up with a perfunctory air. “Stella, you look terrible.”

I stumbled clumsily to the armchair opposite her, acting disoriented. “You should be at home. What are you doing here?”

“Enzo told me your episodes are getting worse. I went through the black market to get you some special tranquilizers.”

She strode closer in her high heels, her voice dropping to a mocking whisper. “That broken brain of yours. I bet you’ll never have a lucid day again, will you?”

I replied coolly, “The doctor said I just have to avoid interacting with anything filthy.”

She missed the insult entirely and let out a theatrical sigh. “You poor thing.”

“This Valenti estate is so large. Now that you’re out of your mind, you can’t even comprehend who’s really in charge here.”

“Enzo is so cruel, isn’t he? Just keeping you here like a trophy on a shelf.”

Her red-nailed hand reached out to pull at my veil. I jerked my head away.

“Don’t trouble yourself, Miss Clara.”

Clara awkwardly retracted her hand, then deliberately jutted out her slightly protruding belly.

“Actually, I came today to inform you of something.”

“Enzo doesn’t think the Silver Lake villa is safe enough. He’s going to clear out a suite for me in the main house.”

“Which master bedroom do you think has the best light?”

I said clearly, “Miss Clara, you are not married. It would be against custom for you to live in the Valenti main house.”

“Who cares about custom? Enzo said that as long as the Donna agrees, no one will dare say a word.”

Clara tittered. “Besides, it’s not yet certain who really runs this family.”

Enzo’s voice boomed from the doorway.

“Clara, what are you doing here?”

He strode across the threshold, rushing straight to Clara’s side and protectively hovering a hand near her back.

Clara immediately dropped her arrogant facade, her expression shifting to one of delicate weakness. “I just came to see Stella.”

“She’s all alone in the estate, and with her mental state… she must be so confused.”

Enzo frowned. “This is foolish. There are turf wars going on. What are you doing running around?”

He glanced at me, a guilty look on his face. “Stella, Clara doesn’t know any better. I’m sorry she disturbed your rest.”

I lifted the espresso cup beside me and took a sip. “She was just telling me you plan to give her a suite in the main house.”

The muscles in Enzo’s jaw tightened instantly. He shot a vicious glare at Clara.

Clara bit her red lip, looking aggrieved.

Enzo rushed over to me, explaining urgently, “Stella, don’t listen to her nonsense.”

“She’s just being childish and talking foolishly. The security at Silver Lake is excellent. There’s no need for her to move.”

I let go of the cup. The fine bone china cup clattered against the marble table.

“The way she was talking, you’d think she was in charge of this family.”

“She seems more like the Donna than I do.”

Enzo took a deep breath, his tall frame looming over me.

“Stella, you’re being too sensitive. You are the only Donna. This will always be your domain.”

“She’s just a spoiled girl. Why are you lowering yourself to her level?”

I shot to my feet. “If she’s an outsider, she should know the rules of this family.”

“Sofia, show Miss Clara the door.”

Clara was trembling with rage. Enzo shot her a sharp, warning look.

Clara stomped her foot and stormed out with her bodyguards.

The vast hall fell silent, leaving only me and Enzo.

I turned my face to the side. “Enzo.”

“The eighty-million-dollar payment for the port shipment the Moretti family fronted you is due. When do you plan to repay it?”

The smile on Enzo’s face froze.

He gave a dry laugh. “Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

“Expenses have been high with the recent turf wars. I used that money to bribe some higher-ups in the joint task force.”

“Once the port business is stable, I’ll have the finance department reimburse you.”

I didn’t back down. “How long is ‘in a while’?”

Enzo yanked at his collar. “What are you getting at?”

“We’re husband and wife, bound by a blood oath. My business is your business. Are you accusing me of trying to cheat you?”

I laughed coldly. “Even blood brothers settle their accounts. That money belongs to the Moretti family.”

“If I don’t see the account balanced by the end of the month, I’ll have no choice but to let my legal department handle it.”

Enzo’s face turned ashen. He stepped forward and squeezed my wrist.

“Stella, are you using the Moretti’s power to pressure me?!”

“Don’t you forget, you’re just the daughter of a merchant from a remote coastal town on the West Continent! In this world, you wouldn’t survive a day without my protection!”

I ripped my hand from his grasp. “Don’t you worry about me.”

“The blood of ruthless merchants runs in my veins. I have never relied on a man’s charity.”

I turned my back on him, my posture resolute. “You should go. I need to rest.”

Enzo stared at my back, grinding his teeth. “Fine. Stella, don’t you regret this!”

He slammed the door on his way out, the roar of his V8 fading violently into the night.