Chapter 1

After booking my flight, I turned to leave, but Nicolo Piazza, the Consigliere of the Lombardi Famiglia, suddenly grabbed me by the arm.

He frowned at me and asked, "Why aren't you saying anything, Julia? What are you acting up about this time?"

Before I could even get a word in, he continued, "We're setting off for Millano in a week. Stop being so upset. You're nowhere near as capable as Clara anyway, and you'll learn a thing or two when you tag along with us."

I stared at him quietly as I thought about all the diplomas and certificates stuffed inside my bag.

I didn't feel a shred of joy.

All these years, I'd studied so hard I nearly wore myself out, winning scholarships, earning multiple degrees, and obtaining various professional certificates. At the same time, I also worked hard to build connections, preparing myself to eventually take over the Famiglia business.

As for my younger twin sister, Clara Lombardi, she spent all her college years partying and travelling the world with her friends. She even failed four classes in a single semester and was eventually forced to leave college after failing to earn enough credits.

We returned to our home country after completing our studies. However, nobody bothered to ask me how I'd fared in college or what I'd achieved.

That was because the moment Clara stepped through the front door, she broke down in tears and lamented how she'd disappointed Mamma and Papa and let them down.

Yet Mamma and Papa never scolded her or told her off. Instead, they comforted her and said, "It doesn't matter, Clara. College isn't that important anyway. We're still going to hand over the Famiglia business to you, no matter what."

My elder brother, Giulio Lombardi, chimed in and said, "You'll always be our little Principessa, Clara. And I'm always here to help. Worst-case scenario, the Famiglia will just support you for the rest of your life."

Nicolo comforted her as well. "It's fine, Clara. Even if you were bad at college, you're still much better than Julia."

In their eyes, I could never measure up to Clara. They thought she was beautiful and charming, and every elder in the Famiglia would always heap praise upon her the moment they saw her.

Mamma and Papa were especially proud of her, taking her along to every banquet and charity gala held in the Famiglia.

On the other hand, I wasn't as pretty or charming as Clara. I had an ordinary appearance and was nothing special to look at. Because of that, I was often the one overlooked in the Famiglia.

Clara and I were twins born on the same day. Yet, Mamma and Papa only ever remembered to buy her new dresses and birthday gifts. The same went for Giulio, who ordered a custom-made swan-shaped birthday cake just for her, and Nicolo, who gave her his most prized custom-made diamond pen.

I initially thought that I would also be able to receive my parents' love as long as I behaved myself, but I was soon proved very wrong. Nobody remembered that it was also my birthday that day.

By the time they finally realized it, they simply played it down and perfunctorily told me that they would make it up to me next time.

I didn't get good grades in school when we were little, and Clara and Nicolo would often gather around, discussing topics that I knew nothing about. I worked extremely hard to catch up to them so that I could fit in, which was the only reason I eventually surpassed Clara in my grades.

However, they all still thought I was still the dumb, stupid, dim-witted Julia Lombardi I'd been before.

I couldn't help asking Nicolo, "Didn't you say that you wanted to have the base in Palerama to manage the Famiglia's arms business?"

He smiled at me. "That doesn't matter to me. What matters is that Clara wants to go to Millano, so, naturally, I have to help her."

Nicolo once told me that his dream was to go to Palerama, believing that only by establishing a foothold there could his true capabilities be fully recognized.

Yet now, for Clara's sake, he had changed his mind without a second thought.

At that moment, I realized that there was no point in staying with them anymore. So, I turned and left without a word, heading to my room to pack my bags.