Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 10

Chapter 1

To protect my boyfriend, Nico, the illegitimate son of our allies, the Moretti family, from their internal power struggles, I agreed to leave New York with him.But on the eve of my adoptive father, the Don of the Falcone family, signing our transfer orders, he backed out.Through the hidden door of the cigar lounge, I heard his right-hand man tease him:"So you really kept up that act for three months just to get rid of the princess?""But she's your childhood sweetheart. You really have the heart to some miserable fishing village in the Baltics all by herself?"Nico's voice was nonchalant. "It's just an outpost across the pond. How far can it be?""Scarlett is too controlling. If I don't get her out of the picture, how am I supposed to get any breathing room? Besides, I need to put Chloe at ease."I stood behind that hidden door for a long time that night, my grip on the doorknob tightening until my knuckles were white, before I finally let go.I turned and walked away, pulling out m

Chapter 2

The pain didn't explode all at once.It was like a silenced bullet had lodged in my heart, its poison slowly seeping into my blood.Logically, a Falcone, raised in a world of violence, shouldn't be this fragile.It was just betrayal, a common currency in our world.But Nico was the one who made the first move.I remembered the night he took me to the underground drag races.The roar of the engines was like a beast's howl. I flew past the finish line in my modified McLaren, adrenaline burning through my veins.So when he rushed over and kissed me, I didn't push him away.That kiss was mixed with the metallic taste of blood from where I'd bitten his lip.Gasping for air, I asked him over the roar, "Nico, what are we now?"Nico's fingers brushed my blood-stained lips. "What else could we be, Principessa? We're going to conquer the world together."And I really believed him. I thought this was his grand confession, that we'd soon be the most envied couple in the underworld.The gamblers in

Chapter 3

The next morning, the family's Consigliere handed me a sealed manila envelope.Inside was a new identity for my trip to Sicily and a clean flight permit.Without a word to anyone.As I walked out of the family's administrative building, someone suddenly blocked my path.He frowned slightly. "Scarlett, did you change the codes to your apartment?""I went to find you right after I took Chloe home yesterday, but the system wouldn't let me in..."I cut him off, my voice cold. "Yes, I did."He looked a little annoyed, but then, as if nothing had happened, he asked gently, "What's the new code? I want to be able to come see you."I said calmly, "That won't be necessary. The place will be empty once I'm gone anyway. It's more secure with new codes."Nico glanced at the folder in my hand, feigning a sudden realization. "Oh, right. We're leaving soon. I've been so busy I almost forgot.""Don't worry, Scarlett. I'll get the paperwork done tomorrow."There were too many eyes and ears here. I turn

Chapter 4

After that day, I started clearing out everything Nico had left behind over the years, one by one.This gold-plated Desert Eagle was his "token of love" to me.He once held my hand, tracing the engravings on the grip, and whispered passionately, "Scarlett, this was custom-molded for your hand. It's the only one in the world, and it's just for you."But not long after, I saw an identical gun on Chloe's social media.The caption read: "Nico says they're a matching set."And then there were the missing cufflinks.They were engraved with the ancient Falcone family crest, an honor given to me by my adoptive father on my eighteenth birthday.Nico claimed he'd lost them.Now, they were pinned to the cheap suit cuffs of Chloe's gambling-addict father, visible in the corner of a casino surveillance feed.And the diamond earrings from my confirmation ceremony, the custom perfume...Every honor I thought was mine alone had been cheaply replicated or tossed aside like trash to impress his low-rent

Chapter 5

Before I could say a word, Vincent had already taken the phone from my hand."She's on my turf. Is there a problem?"He sounded lazy, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.The static on the other end vanished instantly, replaced by Nico's enraged, distorted roar, which I could hear clearly even without speakerphone:"Vincent?""Scarlett, are you making such a scene that you'd run to that family traitor?!""What the hell are you thinking?"I grabbed the phone back from Vincent.For the first time, Nico's voice sounded unbearably grating."Nico, watch your words.""And besides, where I am and who I'm with is none of your business."Nico's voice went shrill, like a cornered animal. "How is it none of my business? You're so desperate to spite me you'd go to someone that despicable. You're my...""I belong to myself."I cut him off, my patience gone. "Nico, you're the last person who deserves to talk about loyalty."I threw his own words back at him."Don't contact me aga

Chapter 6

After that night's "arms deal," Vincent put me on a flight back to New York.To build a solid alliance, we needed to coordinate. He would set the stage in Europe, and I would close the net in New York.At the bottom of the private jet's stairs, Vincent took my hand and pressed a still-warm brass bullet casing into my palm.It was from the first shot he'd fired last night to celebrate our new alliance.Engraved on it was the ancient crest of his mother's family.He kissed my fingertips, his blue eyes holding an undisguised possessiveness. "Scarlett, go take back your throne. This casing is my promise.""When I come back, I'm taking New York. And I'm taking you."After months away, the New York air was still thick with the stench of greed and exhaust.The moment I landed, my friend and informant, Livia, sent me an encrypted file.It was the Moretti family's latest "family portrait."In the photo, Nico stood beside his Don father, dressed to the nines, looking every bit the part.And Chlo

Chapter 7

To handle a seized shipment, I drove to a derelict warehouse in Brooklyn.This was a Falcone family gray area. I parked the car, and my heels clicked against the concrete, echoing in the empty space.The moment I stepped into the shadows, I sensed a presence, the sound of breathing."Come out."My hand rested on the butt of my gun as I gave the cold command.A figure stumbled out of the darkness.He looked up, and his eyes were bloodshot.I frowned. "Nico?"He had lost all his former swagger. His shirt was wrinkled, his eyes shot through with red veins."How much family intel did you sell to get past my three security checkpoints?"The silent man just stared at me, then said abruptly, "Scarlett, you've gotten thinner."I had no idea what he hoped to accomplish with that pathetic line and turned to leave.But he suddenly lunged forward and grabbed me in a hug, his grip so tight it felt like he wanted to crush my ribs.Fortunately, my training was more than just for show. I twisted his

Chapter 8

The next time I saw Nico was at a sit-down between the major families.We were all adults, and the conversation in our circle naturally turned to business and territory.The dim candlelight and rich whiskey created a comfortable atmosphere.I couldn't resist staying a little longer, but then two uninvited guests arrived.Nico and Chloe.The atmosphere froze for a strange moment.Livia leaned in close, her voice a low sneer. "Scarlett, no one invited them."I nodded. It was obvious.My friend sighed in relief, her tone dripping with contempt. "Those two are the underworld's vermin now. Their family is in shambles, and their methods have become just as pathetic.""Especially Chloe. She looks at Nico like he's some kind of savior and sees every other woman as a threat."I swirled the wine in my glass, my expression indifferent.Nico was noticeably thinner, his eyes dark and sullen.Chloe was still in her signature white dress, but the gaudy jewelry made her look like a child playing dress

Chapter 9

It was late by the time we finished dealing with the aftermath at the family safe house, so I took Vincent directly back to my private penthouse.The next morning, I woke up to breakfast already laid out.I leaned against the doorframe, watching the man seriously brewing coffee. "Feeling domestic?""I don't have an official title yet. Have to stay on my best behavior to make a good impression on my princess.""Otherwise, what if she gets mad and decides she doesn't want me anymore?"Vincent, wearing only a towel, with water dripping from his hair, teased me as he tweaked my nose.I sighed, remembering the blatant, gossipy stares my friends gave Vincent as we left last night.I scrolled idly on my tablet until my eyes landed on a news story, and I laughed."You want an official title? Well, here it is."On the screen, New York's financial and gossip columns had, for once, reached a consensus.The headlines were in bold, black font, and shocking:"FALCONE HEIRESS IN SCANDALOUS AFFAIR, NO

Chapter 10

The merger of Falcone and VM International was like a precision war machine, crushing all obstacles in its path.Three years later, Vincent and I were married.The wedding was held at an old estate in Sicily, where every window frame was adorned with amethyst wind chimes.The Mediterranean breeze swept through, and the garden filled with a crisp, tinkling sound, like a requiem for the years that had passed.After the guests had left, I received a special gift.There was no name.But I recognized the Moretti family's wax seal at a glance, though the emblem was now faint and blurred.After taking control, Vincent had conducted a devastating purge of the Moretti family.The once-mighty Morettis were now nothing but ruins and a few collateral branches struggling to survive.When it came to traitors, in business or in love, Vincent and I both believed in pulling them out by the roots.I raised an eyebrow in surprise and opened the somewhat shabby velvet box.Inside, a purple diamond ring la

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