Lahat ng Kabanata ng I'll Settle This Score for You: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 7

I am about to book a room at a hotel owned by Luca Conti, a consigliere under my command, when a sharp voice suddenly cuts in from behind me."Aspetta. That's not your price."I turn around. A woman wearing a manager's badge stands there with her arms crossed, scrutinizing me as if I am an unsightly stain she can't wait to wipe away."We don't allow prostitution here," she says coolly. "If you're receiving clients, there will be a fine."As she speaks, she hands me a penalty notice.The charges are clearly listed on the paper. "Illegal guest reception fee: 350 thousand dollars."Special soundproofing fee: 150 thousand dollars."Special cleaning fee: 100 thousand dollars."Total fee: 600 thousand dollars."Receiving clients?I have simply come straight from a Mafia cocktail party without changing clothes—that's all. What exactly does she take me for?"I lift my gaze and answer evenly, "You're mistaken. I am not that kind of person. You can contact the hotel owner, Luca Conti, and ask h

It didn't take long before Marco burst through the door with two soldati from the Russo family.The moment he saw me lying on the floor, wrapped in a trash bag, and my wrist bent at an unnatural angle, his eyes reddened as if he might cry."Madonna… What did they do to you…""Enough," I snapped, forcing the words out with what little strength I had left. "Pay her. Get me out of here."Marco rushed forward and carefully helped me up. Behind him, the Russo family soldati set down case after case of cash, the sharp smell of fresh ink filling the room, heavy and unmistakable.Sofia lunged at the boxes, laughing wildly, saliva almost spilling from her mouth."So, even a whore like you can make this much just by selling yourself. Get lost!" she barked, clutching the money to her chest. "And if I find even one fake bill, next time it will not just be a trash bag. I will chop you up and dump you in a landfill."I didn't answer. I was afraid the moment I opened my mouth, a scream would e

In the crowd, a middle-aged man who had been watching coldly all along suddenly let out a soft gasp.He pushed up his glasses and studied me more closely. Then, he sucked in a sharp breath, his voice rising in shock."Wait. Could this be Talia Russo of the Russo family? The current Donna of the Russo family?"The words struck the casino like a thunderclap."Talia? The one who took over the family business three years ago and reclaimed every inch of lost territory within six months?""That's her. No wonder she looked familiar.""Madonna! It really is her. In the Russo family now, it's her who calls the shots. Luca is nothing more than a cane de guardia, a lapdog of the family.""Then, what Luca said just now… No wonder the Donna lost her temper. Sofia really has a death wish, provoking the real capo herself and dragging Luca down with her.""They're dead. A slap is already merciful. Even if the Donna throws them out of this city, they deserve it."The murmurs surged like a tide

Marco opened the car door for me. After I settled into the seat, he didn't start the engine right away. Instead, he turned slightly, his eyes carrying a questioning look."Boss, regarding Sofia… Earlier you only ordered her removed from the casino. You didn't specify what comes next. Are we really letting her go like that?"His tone was calm and professional. I knew him well enough to understand that this was not pity. As my most trusted right hand—the one who understood my way of doing things best—he was simply confirming my intent.After all, what Sofia had done was not just disrespect. It was real harm, extortion, and even attempted murder.I leaned back against the soft leather of the car seat and closed my eyes. The pain from my injuries still throbbed faintly.A cold smile touched my lips. My eyes remained closed."When did I ever say I would let her go? Sometimes," I continued softly, "living and suffering is far more memorable than immediate death. And it's far more inter