Chapter 4: The Groom Will Be Someone Else

Dante sat behind the large desk in his study, several documents spread open in front of him.

Ever since leaving the dining room earlier, his thoughts kept returning to Valentina and the way she had persuaded Viona to eat without forcing her even once. There was something about Valentina that made it difficult for Dante to look away.

A knock on the door made Dante lift his head, and Ethan entered carrying a document.

"Sir, the report you requested is finished," Ethan said as he placed it on the desk.

Dante looked up. "About Valentina?"

"Yes." Ethan nodded. "I found quite a bit of information about her relationship with Adrian."

Dante leaned back in his chair. "Talk."

Ethan lowered his head briefly to check several pages. "Valentina and Adrian have been together for five years. Their relationship began when they were still in school, and throughout those years, Valentina always tried to keep their relationship together."

Dante did not interrupt. His gaze remained fixed on Ethan, but his fingers slowly tapped against the surface of the desk.

"However, Adrian often belittled her," Ethan continued. "Mostly because of Bianca's influence. From several incidents I found, Bianca repeatedly provoked Adrian into humiliating Valentina."

Dante's jaw tightened. Ethan then turned to the next page. "There were several family events where Adrian deliberately ignored Valentina or made her look foolish in front of others just to please Bianca. Valentina still stayed with him despite being treated that way."

Dante's fingers stopped tapping the desk. "She put up with that for years?" he asked in a low voice.

"More or less," Ethan replied. "Even the people around them have grown accustomed to seeing Valentina give in."

Dante picked up one of the report pages, read a few lines, then set it back down with slightly more force than necessary. "What about her family?"

Ethan looked at him before continuing. "Valentina's parents also treated their daughters differently."

Dante raised an eyebrow, silently asking Ethan to elaborate.

"They defended Bianca more often. Whenever there was a problem between the two sisters, Valentina was usually the one expected to give in again. Bianca also received more attention and support from the family."

Dante exhaled heavily through his nose. His gaze turned cold as he imagined Valentina standing alone among the people who were supposed to be her home. "I didn't realize her life was like that."

Ethan slowly closed the folder. "Sir, may I ask you something?"

"Go ahead," Dante replied.

Ethan hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "Is your decision to marry Valentina really final?"

"Valentina is Adrian's former girlfriend," Ethan continued carefully. "Adrian is also your own nephew. I just want to make sure you're making this decision with a clear mind."

Dante leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. His expression did not change in the slightest. "When I confronted Adrian at the party, he didn't even recognize me."

Ethan held back a faint smile. "That's not surprising."

"Everyone thinks Dante Visconti is an old and ugly man," Ethan explained, trying to keep a serious expression. "Besides, you've lived abroad for years. Almost no one in Milan knows what you look like now."

The corner of Dante's lips lifted slightly. "Let them keep thinking that."

Ethan nodded. "That's why Adrian had no idea who the man standing beside Valentina was earlier."

Dante straightened his shoulders before making his decision. "Prepare my wedding."

Ethan frowned. "When?"

"Three days from now," Dante said firmly.

Ethan's eyes widened slightly. "Three days?"

Dante calmly lifted his gaze. "Is that too long?"

Ethan immediately shook his head. "No, sir. I'll take care of everything."

"Make sure no one knows until everything is ready," Dante instructed.

"Understood." Ethan picked up the documents and turned to leave the room.

Not long after his assistant left, Dante's phone on the desk rang. He glanced at the screen, and a faint smile appeared when he saw the name displayed there.

Eleanor Visconti. His older sister.

Dante let the phone ring for a few seconds before finally answering. "Hello, Eleanor."

The woman's voice immediately came through. "Dante, when are you coming back to Milan?"

Dante leaned back in his chair. Not a single member of his family knew that he had already returned to Milan. He had deliberately kept it a secret, especially because he wanted to take care of several matters without his family's interference. "I don't know yet," he replied casually.

Eleanor was silent for a moment before sighing. "You're always like this. You've been abroad for too long. At least tell us when you're coming home."

Dante held back a smile. "I'll tell you when the time is right."

"You need to come back before three days from now," Eleanor said more firmly.

Dante raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Adrian is getting married to his fiancée," Eleanor explained.

Dante's fingers stopped on the desk, a crooked smile appearing on his face.

Eleanor continued hopefully. "You have to come. I really hope you can attend your nephew's wedding so we can all be together again."

Dante stared blankly ahead. The wedding Eleanor was talking about would not happen. Three days from now, the groom would be different.

A small grin appeared on Dante's face. "All right," he finally replied. "I'll come."

Eleanor sounded relieved. "Good. Don't make me wait for your return again."

The call ended a few moments later, and Dante placed his phone back on the desk. In three days, Adrian would see the woman he had always considered unworthy become another man's wife.

"I can't wait to see my nephew's reaction," Dante chuckled.