A cruel ultimatum.(chapt.2)

Alessia’s POV.

As I entered Romanov Industries, the atmospheric tension coiled around me tightly like a strangling noose. The transparent office partitions failed to suppress the muted conversations alongside keyboard clatter while an unsettling tension permeated throughout the building's corners.

My brisk walk down the corridor produced sharp heel clicks on the marble floor while each step bore the heavy expectations I struggled to maintain.

This company emerged from nothingness through my efforts and I maintained its existence using my blood and sweat following Elena’s death.

Upon entering the conference room, I found Sofia Moretti, my assistant, standing there in anticipation. Her dark eyes showed flickering concern while Daniel, my CFO, rose from his seat and adjusted his tie with his usual grim expression.

He dispensed with formalities by beginning abruptly, “We have a problem,” while thrusting the printed report towards me. My eyes only brushed its surface for an instant but I got the message.

"The investors are pulling out," he continued, his voice tight with barely concealed frustration. Stock prices are dropping and we’ve already lost seven percent this morning. The current situation indicates that our resources will be completely depleted before the quarter ends. ”

I folded my arms while taking a deep breath. The weight of the words settled like iron against my ribs.

Sofia shifted beside him. “Ale we need a plan. Fast. ”

A plan.

A way out.

My jaw muscles tightened while my thoughts sped chaotically.

I straightened my shoulders, lifting my chin. I will manage the situation. Give me time.”

Daniel released a jagged exhalation. Alessia we do not possess the luxury of time. ”

His doubt clawed across my skin as though it were shattered glass yet I remained steadfast.

"Place your trust in my words," I declared.

Sofia delivered an uncertain nod in my direction. Daniel's skepticism persisted without change. Yet he refrained from disputing the matter.

My phone began to ring.

I extracted it from my bag while my stomach contorted into a tight knot at the name that flashed across the screen.

Arturo Ricci.

I found myself staring at it for a brief moment.

The idea of hurling the cursed phone through the hallway while pretending he did not exist l crossed my mind.

My teeth clenched tightly as I pressed the answer button and lifted the phone to my ear.

“What is it this time ?” The sharpness of my voice exceeded my intentions yet I remained indifferent.

A slick chuckle emerged from the receiver thick with amusement.

“Come home, figla mia . ”

The Ricci Estate

As I crossed the massive iron gates into the Ricci estate an eerie chill coursed through my spine.

I dedicated numerous years to maintaining maximum distance from this place.

A span of fifteen years had passed since I departed from this house vowing to myself that I would never set foot here again.

And yet, here I was.

A vast marble staircase unfolded before me which I had raced down in my youth seeking to flee the man who claimed to be my father. The air carried a blend of expensive cigars and polished wood scents which turned my stomach with memories I'd rather forget.

The butler escorted me into the study where Arturo Ricci awaited my arrival.

In his perfectly tailored suit he sat behind an enormous oak desk embodying effortless power. The passing years had not touched his sharp features which remained ageless while his silver hair stayed combed back.

A monster wearing an Armani suit.

As I moved forward and crossed my arms over my chest his dark eyes examined me with an intricate mix of amusement and calculation.

"Arturo, your games find no place in my schedule," I declared with icy detachment.

His lips twitched, but he didn’t react. Instead he leaned back in his chair fingertips tapping against the smooth wood.

“I heard your company is on rocky ground.” He said, a slight smirk on his face.

My body became rigid while my nails pressed deeply into my palms.

Indeed, he fucking knew.

Arturo Ricci possessed prior knowledge of every event in this world before it occurred.

“I’ll fix it,” I bit out.

His grin expanded to an unnatural size when I unknowingly entered his carefully laid snare.

“Ah but I have a proposal,” he said smoothly. A singular entity exists which promises to address every trouble you face. ”

My body became rigid. “My interest level regarding your offerings stands at zero. ”

He paid no attention to me while he extended his hand into the desk drawer and extracted a folder. He moved it across the desk with intentional sluggishness.

“ Read it. ”

My hand paused mid-air before seizing the folder and scanning the pages with my eyes.

The initial words on the first page induced a frigid sensation in my bloodstream.

Marriage Contract.

As my eyes traversed the document each line drove my heart to pound with increasing intensity.

“Elena’s marriage was an agreement? “Disbelief coated my words as I whispered thickly.

Arturo nodded. “Your sister’s marriage to Nikolai came with conditions. An agreement existed stating that should the marriage terminate before reaching five years or her birthing him an heir, I would pay back my debts to him . My inability to make payments would lead me to present another person as collateral instead. ”

An unnatural tremor seized my hands when I forcefully closed the folder. “This is a joke. ”

“It’s not. ”

Arturo exhaled as if he had expected this reaction. “Alessia two choices stand before you. Offer me Romanov Industries , which I can sell and pay off my debts or complete the agreement by marrying Nikolai. ”

A nauseating twist seized my stomach in an unnatural revolt.

“Sorry old man, but you have to wake up cause I’ll never do this and start looking for a job because Nikolai wilk never agree to this.”

He chuckled. “Nikolai remains indifferent about his marital partner because his primary concern is getting his money back.”

Arturo examined me with meticulous attention while his dark eyes shimmered in playful delight. “Your sister wasn’t a problem… I’m sure you would not want to be one too.”

An overwhelming wave of nausea engulfed my senses.

Arturo's manipulation of Elena's death for his benefit was something I should have anticipated.

My head moved in denial as I retreated backward. “I am not Elena and I will not do it.”

His smile remained steady without any deviation.

“It’s good the contract terms stated humans, not just daughters. Your mother will be on the next flight home.”

“What did you say?”

“Marry Nikolai or watch your mother get handed to him. Pick one Figla mia.”