Chapter 5

The other Capos' eyes had already locked onto me the moment Renato's roar erupted. I lifted my head and calmly scanned the room. Seeing all those smirks and mocking stares, I couldn't help but laugh.

"This critical transaction has always been under your responsibility. All dealings with the Abate family were handled by you. I have no data, documents, or details. As for the consequences," I paused, taking a sip of coffee, "they naturally fall on whoever is in charge of the deal, no?"

"Bullcrap!" Renato snapped, kicking over a nearby chair in frustration. "You've always been the one doing the work while I gave the orders. Now you're pretending otherwise? You think you can play games with me? Well, you're way out of your depth.

"Get it done now. If this gets delayed, you'll answer for it. Don't think you'll walk away unscathed then."

"Oh, so you knew perfectly well that I was helping you all along. But it was never my obligation. I did it as a favor, not out of duty," I corrected calmly. "Your responsibilities are yours, not mine."

With that, I turned back to my laptop, paying him no further attention.

Renato stood there, breathing heavily in rage. He roughly tugged at his hair before turning and storming off toward Don Costa's office, swearing under his breath.

Ten minutes later, the internal phone on my desk rang, and Francesco's icy voice came through. "Camilla, Don Costa wants you in his office now."

I shut down my laptop and stood up. Then, I smoothed out the creases in my suit skirt before walking toward Don Costa's office under the Capos' varied gazes.

I knocked on the door.

"Come in," Francesco said coldly.

I stepped inside to see Don Costa seated behind his massive, cold marble desk. His expression was blank, but anger simmered just beneath the surface.

Renato stood to the side, hands in his pockets, clearly ready to enjoy the show at my expense.

"Camilla, what exactly have you been doing all day? Why hasn't such an important transaction agreement been finalized? You've always assisted Renato in his work, so why the delay now?

"This deal with the Abate family is worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Why can't you cooperate properly? If this transaction suffers any loss because of you, do you think you can bear the consequences?"

Don Costa's questions came at me rapid-fire, cold as ice, as if I were the first and foremost culprit should anything go wrong with this crucial deal.

I stood perfectly still, listening quietly until he finished.

I couldn't help but chuckle again. Then, in a voice so soft yet clear enough for everyone present to hear, I said, "Don Costa, it was you who personally clarified my role to the Capos just yesterday.

"You stated that I don't handle specific transactions or tasks, that I'm usually not busy and called it a blessing for me. So, how is it that today, this critical billion-dollar deal has suddenly become my responsibility?

"Didn't you say my job was just to run errands, serve coffee, and do odd jobs?"

Don Costa's face shifted through shades of pale and dark, like a palette of humiliation, before settling into a stiff, ashen gray.

He opened his mouth several times, but no sound came out. Every retort he might have made was silenced before it could even take shape.

My words, every one of them true, hung in the air like merciless slaps across his face.

Finally, Renato, unable to stay quiet, blurted out nervously, "Don Costa, look at how stubborn and dismissive she's being. You really need to rein her in. She holds the title of Executive Director, after all."

I couldn't help but let out a sharp, audible laugh this time.

"This position isn't even a recognized family rank. You yourself said my daily work is just serving coffee and running errands."

Don Costa's expression shifted erratically, darkening and then clearing. It was obvious he was holding back with immense effort.

This was likely the first time in his life someone of my standing had dared to confront him so directly.

After a brief struggle to restrain himself, his rage and humiliation completely overwhelmed his reason.

"Camilla, how dare you speak to me like this? This family fed you for five years, yet instead of showing gratitude, you dare to defy me so openly? How insolent of you! If you don't want to work here, then get out! Leave this instant.

"From today onward, you have no connection whatsoever to the Costa family. You are no longer a member, and you will receive not an ounce of protection from us. If you end up dead in some alley someday, you brought it on yourself!"

I watched him calmly until his outburst subsided, then replied with deliberate poise, "Thank you, Don Costa."