Chapter 11

The discussion in the hall exploded instantly. The live stream viewership skyrocketed as no one wanted to miss this drama.[So she's the impostor. No wonder she tried to frame Signorina Chiara. She was probably scared her identity would be exposed.][Disgusting. Acting so fragile and innocent but doing such vile things behind the scenes.][I used to think Chiara was ungrateful, but now it's clear Alessia orchestrated everything herself.]The comments stabbed at Alessia's heart like needles.She shot to her feet, eyes red, shrieking, "Shut up! All of you, shut up! Chiara must have tricked Mama and Papa. How could I possibly be a fake?"Her shrill screams could not drown out the murmurs.Papa frowned. With an icy expression, he lifted his chin toward the Soldati behind him. "Bring her in."Soon, two Soldati escorted a plainly dressed, weathered woman inside. The woman's hair was graying, her clothes were worn, and her eyes were full of unease and discomfort.Papa pointed at the

Chapter 12

A gunshot suddenly rang out, the sharp sound tearing through the chaos in the hall. My entire body froze and my mind went blank, but then I saw a figure step in front of me. It was Dante.At the sound of a gunshot, the bullet hit his shoulder and blood instantly soaked through his shirt. He grunted as his body swayed, but he remained firmly planted in front of me.At the same time, a tall figure rushed out from the shadows and pulled me tightly into his arms. His embrace was broad and warm, carrying a faint scent of cedarwood that dispelled the panic in my heart.I instinctively looked up and found myself meeting a strikingly handsome face. He had a commanding presence. He had been watching me from the shadows. Seeing me in danger, he immediately acted.Mama and Papa turned deathly pale. They rushed to my side and gripped my hands tightly.Mama's voice trembled. "Sweetheart, are you alright?"Papa frowned as well, his eyes full of lingering fear.The man slowly released me, his

Chapter 13

At my words, the color drained from Dante's face instantly. His pupils contracted sharply, his injured shoulder trembling slightly as blood seeped out more heavily. Guilt churned in his eyes, mixed with disbelief and hurt."Cara, don't do this." His voice shook.He seemed unable to accept such a distant form of address.One of his subordinates rushed forward with furrowed brows and spoke in an urgent tone."Boss, stop talking. Your shoulder can't wait. You need immediate treatment."Dante shoved his hand away forcefully, the movement surprisingly strong. He staggered a step but kept his gaze glued to me, his voice hoarse. "So you knew your true identity all along. Why did you hide it from me? Don't you trust me at all?"The moment his accusation fell, Mama stepped forward, her eyes cold and her tone sharp. "Dante, what right do you have to question my daughter? I've already looked into everything you did. For your own benefit, you conspired with Alessia and hurt my daughter."Al

Chapter 14

I lowered my eyes and swept over the trembling figures on the ground. My tone was flat. "Don't you all look down on maids? Then experience what it's like to be servants yourselves."For these pampered young men and women, this was tantamount to humiliation, but they did not dare resist.As my words fell, Leonardo smiled approvingly. His eyes were full of indulgence, his voice low and gentle. "Whatever you say."The Soldati escorted them out of the banquet hall. The unconscious Dante was dragged out as well.The chaos in the banquet hall gradually subsided. The lights came back on, beautiful piano music played, and guests came forward to offer congratulations as if nothing had just happened.This was my birthday celebration. My loving parents celebrated with me, and my fiancé stood up for me.I smiled as I accepted each blessing.This was the happiest birthday I had ever had in my life.The banquet ended as night deepened. My phone kept buzzing with notifications. The internet h

Chapter 15

Alessia paused, then continued smugly, "Because you're one of the people responsible for killing her child!""Child?" Dante's entire body shook, his pupils contracting sharply.He whipped around to look at me, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief."We... had a child?"At the mention of the child, my eyes reddened. However, I said nothing and only stared at him coldly. Silence was the cruelest answer.Dante immediately realized Alessia was telling the truth. His whole body trembled, his face deathly pale. He staggered back several steps, his voice shaking with one last desperate hope. "You're lying, aren't you?!"Seeing this, Alessia burst into laughter. Her laughter was sharp and grating, especially chilling in the quiet night. She raised her head, her gaze on me coiling like a venomous snake."Have you forgotten? She was just in a car accident. That accident made her lose a child! At the time, she was carrying your baby. She was not even three months along. The day of the a

Chapter 16

Alessia watched as Dante was dragged away, the smug look on her face instantly wiped away. She finally panicked and scrambled toward Leonardo on her hands and knees. She knocked her head to the ground over and over, her forehead bleeding."Don Giorgi, please let me go! I was wrong! I'll never do it again. I'll never hurt Signorina Chiara again!"Leonardo looked down, his eyes ice cold and devoid of compassion. "When you were hurting her, did you ever think about what would happen to you? Even if we took your life, it wouldn't make up for the pain of her losing her child."He lifted his chin toward the Soldati, his tone frigid. "Take her away."Alessia was scared out of her wits, struggling desperately and crying out. "No! Don't take me away! Please let me go!"However, the Soldati remained unmoved. They hauled her up and forcibly dragged her away.Later I heard that on Alessia's first day at the mafia's harshest punishment camp, she also lost her child.There was no dignity ther