Chapter 3

In that moment, my heart shattered completely.

"Leonardo, I'll remember this slap," I said, wiping away my tears as I looked at him. "From today on, there's nothing between us but a fight to the death.

As the words left my lips, he suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me into a secluded corner. There, he kissed and nibbled my lips with brutal intensity.

"Camilla, I already told you I only love you. Vittoria is still young. Her broadcasting that video was just a childish act of jealousy. Why must you make such a big deal out of it?"

So, to him, the video of my assault was nothing more than proof of his new lover's childishness. Even though my heart was dead, it still hurt.

I shoved him away and fiercely wiped off the traces of his kiss.

"Leonardo, you let Vittoria tear open my old wounds and say I'm the one making a scene? Have you forgotten who humiliated me? I was the one who was harmed by your enemies while trying to save you!"

I stepped forward until I was almost pressed against him and jabbed my finger into the spot right over his heart.

"You want an heir? Fine. But what you absolutely shouldn't have done was let her tear open my old wounds, and you definitely should not have poured salt on them yourself!"

With that, I turned and walked away, paying no attention to the way his head hung low.

But his voice still reached me from a distance.

"Camilla, no matter what, don't do anything to her. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

I let out a bitter laugh and, together with my assistant, Aurora Romani, walked straight out of the meeting hall while everyone stared.

The slap mark on my face burned with pain, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart.

…

The car had barely driven a short distance and rounded the corner when several vehicles forced us to a stop.

Vittoria had brought people to block the way ahead.

"Ms. Marino," Aurora said, her voice tense with a hint of panic, "most of our people are still back at the gathering. What should we do now?"

I looked at the pretentious face outside the car, a cold calm settling deep in my heart.

"It's fine," I said, pushing open the car door. "Wait for me in the car. If something happens, follow the plan."

"Understood."

The moment I stepped out of the car, Vittoria came up to me with an openly smug expression.

"Well, well, Ms. Marino, all alone now? Weren't you so impressive back at the gathering? Weren't you going to rip my mouth apart?"

I looked at her coldly. "Cut the crap. If you want revenge, just get on with it."

But she suddenly smiled in a strange way. "You're overthinking things. Why would I dirty my own hands?"

Before her words faded, my pupils suddenly contracted in shock. Without a moment's hesitation, Vittoria picked up the already prepared dagger and slashed it viciously across her own delicate cheek.

Blood instantly gushed out, staining half of her face red, as her flesh split apart and turned up at the edges.

I stood there stunned, never expecting her to do something like that.

In that split second, Vittoria shoved the bloodied dagger next to my feet, then let out a piercing scream.

"Leonardo, save me!" she shrieked in terror and agony. "I only followed Ms. Marino because I saw her leaving alone and wanted to see her off. Who would've thought she'd just grab a dagger and slash me without any warning."

Hurried footsteps thundered close.

Leonardo came charging over with his men. His eyes immediately fell on Vittoria—lying in a pool of blood, her cheek still bleeding—then on the bloodied dagger by my feet.

His gaze instantly darkened as he stared at me, his eyes as cold as if he were looking at a stranger.

"Camilla, this is the third time I've warned you not to lay a hand on her. Are you going to come quietly or do I have to make you?"

I frowned, my heart sinking to my stomach.

"Leonardo, I never hurt her. She did it to herself. I won't admit to something I didn't do."

"Enough, Camilla!" he yelled harshly, his gaze filled with undisguised disdain. "When did you become so vicious and cowardly that you won't even admit to what you've done?"