All Chapters of The Empire I Claimed: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

After finalizing my plans for revenge, I reopened the video.Vincent's face was not visible, but on his ring finger was the ring I had saved up for an entire year to buy. Back then, he had looked at it with reddened eyes and said, "Isabella, one day I'll place the family ring on your hand."Yet, in the video, that very ring, the one that symbolized the position of Donna, rested on Sofia's finger.In the comments, some members of the family had already recognized them.[That ring… isn't that the one locked away in the safe for ten years?][So it was waiting for Miss Sofia to come back and wear it.][Makes perfect sense. I said it back then, when they separated, they would definitely get back together.]Ten years.His friends and subordinates all believed that the person he had been waiting for was Sofia. Me? No one even knew what I was to him.I used to ask why he never took me to his private parties. He would smile and ruffle my hair. "Those guys are all jealous that I have su

The casino buzzed with noise and chatter.Vincent had his arm around Sofia's waist, guiding her hand as he showed her how to play roulette.I walked straight up to the table and slammed down the eagle emblem that marked my identity as a member of the family."I'm leaving the family."Vincent frowned instantly. "Don't be ridiculous. Do you think this is something you can just walk away from whenever you feel like it?"Sofia let out a soft laugh and stepped in, her tone dripping with fake concern."Vincent, maybe she hasn't fully recovered from the accident yet. She might not be thinking clearly."Then she turned to me, her voice gentle, almost like she was soothing a pet."Isabella, acting on impulse never ends well. You're one of the family's senior members. How can you just leave like this?""What does this have to do with you?" I shot back calmly.The way she carried herself like the lady of the house made my stomach turn.Vincent cut in, clearly irritated. "Sofia, don't b

The next morning, Vincent woke up with a pounding headache. He stared blankly at the empty room, then glanced down at his wrinkled shirt.In the past, whenever he came home drunk, I would always take care of him.Then, there was nothing.After washing up, he walked into the dining room, where I was quietly drinking my coffee.Out of habit, he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin against my shoulder like he always did."Bella, where's my coffee?"I shifted slightly, avoiding his touch."I didn't make any."His smile froze, and a flicker of irritation passed through his eyes."Don't take what happened yesterday too seriously," he said, his tone impatient, as if trying to coax me. "I had to go along with her, it's just business. You promised me you'd behave. Don't make a scene, alright?"I looked up at him calmly. "Alright."He paused, clearly caught off guard.It seemed he had not expected me to be so calm.After a moment of silence, Vince

"Do you have any proof that I stole anything?" I cut in calmly, interrupting Anna's accusation.The group of women burst into laughter."Proof? You came out of an orphanage, probably desperate for money. Seeing something valuable, of course you'd want to steal it. Why would we need proof?""Search her. Check what's in her bag."A few men stepped forward, reaching for me. I shook them off in disgust, my gaze turning icy. "Touch me again, and I'll cut your filthy hands off."Sofia stepped forward with a sigh, her voice full of fake sympathy. "Isabella, just hand over the crown. I promise I won't pursue this any further. Why make things harder for yourself?""I said I didn't take it." My voice turned even colder.The pity on her face vanished, replaced by sharp mockery. "I see," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "No one ever taught you manners, poor little orphan, so you end up chasing fantasies that don't belong to you."She raised her chin slightly. "Too bad that crown w

Inside the dressing room, my mother personally placed the heavy crown on my head."Beautiful," she said, stepping back with satisfaction. "You look like a little queen."Thinking about what had just happened outside, I suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. "Mother, the way I acted earlier… did I cause you any trouble?"Before I could finish, she gently took my hand. Her voice was calm, but carried undeniable authority. "You did exactly right."Remember this. No one gets to bully a principessa of the Costa family."Something about those words eased all the pain and restraint I had carried through years of growing up alone.My eyes stung, and I blinked quickly to hold back the tears."Thank you, Mother."Her eyes softened slightly, and she patted the back of my hand.Footsteps sounded outside. The consigliere knocked respectfully."Donna, the council elders have all arrived."My mother nodded and gave my shoulder a light squeeze."Go get ready. The people who bullied you won't be