Walking Away From the Underboss

"Three million dollars! Sold to Mr. Vincent for tonight's crown jewel!"

The auctioneer's loud voice echoed across the mafia's annual charity gala hall.

Under everyone's eyes, my fiancé Vincent stood up gracefully. He took the sparkling antique diamond necklace and walked straight toward Bianca, the daughter of our rival family.

He gently put the necklace around Bianca's neck and spoke softly, his voice echoing in the room: "Only a fierce, royal woman like Bianca deserves to wear the Blood Tear."

Bianca leaned close to him, her eyes full of provocation aimed at me.

Thunderous applause broke out. Countless mocking and pitying eyes pierced me as I sat in the corner.

I gripped my skirt, stood up, and walked to Vincent. "Vincent, tonight is the Rossi family's event. I am your fiancée. You gave the main prize to her. What about me?"

Vincent didn't even look at me properly. His eyes held pure disgust. He waved his hand impatiently. "Shut up and stop embarrassing me. If not for your father, you wouldn't even set foot in this room. You're completely useless and embarrassing."

He pulled out his encrypted phone and cast a screenshot onto the big screen in the hall.

It was my dark web account's latest post:

[50-dollar reward: How do I act at an auction to fit the status of the Underboss's fiancée?]

"Take a look, everyone. This is the eldest daughter of the Rossi family," Vincent scoffed. "She paid fifty bucks on the dark web to ask stray dogs how to be a classy woman. Does someone like her deserve an explanation?"

Laughter flooded the room, threatening to drown me.

Humiliation cut through me like a blade. I bit my tongue and retreated to the back dressing room amidst the mockery.

Just as I shut the door, my phone vibrated hard. A private message popped up on the dark web—someone actually accepted my stupid fifty-dollar bounty.

His message was short: [I get paid, I deliver. Find a quiet spot. Sending files now.]

I hid in the room, typing with shaking fingers: [I can't control anything tonight. I can't even command the lowest soldiers...]

He replied instantly: [You are not weak. The man leading you is just a coward.]

A second later, a massive file hit my screen: [Rossi Family Underground Empire: Strategic Overhaul].

I opened it, and my eyes went wide. The report analyzed my bloodline advantages, my father's hidden weapons supply line, and a plan for me to take back three major docks in one month! For the first time, I realized how much power was sleeping inside me.

Before I could process it, a loyal guard sent me a screenshot.

It was Bianca's private post. The photo showed Vincent renting out the entire VIP lounge just for her, personally fastening her necklace.

Bianca wrote: [True love is when he chooses me over the entire world.]

I let out a cold laugh, tears brimming in my eyes. Vincent knew how to protect a woman's pride. He just never saw me as a human being.

Right then, a heavy notification hit every senior member's phone: [The battle for the next supreme leader of the Rossi family starts now. Open to all members. Time limit: Seven days.]

Seeing the message, I finally understood why Vincent treated me this way. Bianca brought her family's heavy weapons network to the table. His drunken words still rang in my ears: "If I marry her, I get half the city's docks! You don't even shoot a gun. What do you bring me besides your father's name?"

He planned this all along.

My fingers shook on the phone. I almost swiped it away.

Then the dark web terminal popped up again: [Sign up. Follow my seven-day plan, and I will help you tear them down.]

Looking at those words, the fire in my blood ignited.

The next morning, at the Rossi Family Council Hall.

I wore a sharp black suit and signed my name on the entry form in front of everyone: Clara Rossi.

"Clara? Are you crazy?!"

Vincent walked in, saw my name, and laughed out loud. He held Bianca close, staring at me with pure disdain. "Throwing a tantrum at the gala wasn't enough? You want to play with real power? You can't even pull a gun's safety switch. Stop making a fool of yourself."

Bianca giggled beside him, holding my hand fake-warmly. "Clara, Vincent is just looking out for you. You can't handle the blood of the mob. Stay in the estate and be a quiet wife. Leave the shooting to Vincent."

Listening to their mockery, I pulled my hand back and threw away all my past obedience.

"Don't worry about me. We'll see who the real prey is in seven days."

Ding. My phone buzzed with a location from my advisor: [5 PM. Underground Firing Range No. 1. Come out and meet your real Enforcer.]