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

19 Chapters

Chapter 1

In the emergency room, the doctors worked frantically to save the child inside me.I kept dialing Vincent Russo's number over and over again."Pick up… please… just pick up…"The blood beneath me kept spreading, warm and unstoppable, as my vision slowly blurred.On the nineteenth try, the call finally connected. However, the first thing I heard was Sofia Costa's soft, teasing laughter. "Vincent, that little stray dog you keep is barking again."His voice came next, low and lazy, still thick with satisfaction."Don't bother with her. She can't live without me. Even if she suspects something, she won't be able to make a scene.""However, she's so annoying.""Then I'll just turn off my phone." He chuckled softly. "Be good. Let's continue. At your birthday banquet next week, I'll ask your father, Don Costa, for your hand in marriage."Her delighted scream rang through the line. "I'll make sure you secure cooperation with the Costa family!"The call ended.At that exact moment, I

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

The next day, I checked out of the hospital, enduring the sting of my abrasions and the dull ache in my lower abdomen.I did not go home. Instead, I went straight to the family headquarters.That accident… I could not decide whether it had been fortunate or cruel.Fortunate, because I had only suffered minor injuries.Cruel, because I had lost that child forever.Then, all I wanted was to end everything as quickly as possible and leave Vincent behind.Ten years ago, when Vincent took me in from the orphanage, I had been covered in wounds, unable even to speak.Back then, the headquarters had been nothing more than a small bar.Then, it stood in the most luxurious club in Palermo City and he had become the most powerful Don in the region.I thought it was enough. However, every time I brought up marriage, Vincent would shake his head. "Not yet, Bella. I need the Costa family's cooperation. I'll take the family to the next level, and then I'll make you the most honored Donna."

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

He stared at it for several seconds. For a moment, I thought he might bend down and pick it up.However, in the next instant, as if afraid someone might notice something, he lifted his foot and crushed it under his heel.A sharp crack echoed.The shell cracked sharply beneath his shoe.We had spent an entire afternoon searching for that perfect pair.He never allowed me to wear matching rings, so I treated it like one instead. I had carried it with me for five years.Now, it shattered beneath his foot.Just like us."Vincent…" I could barely force the word out."Enough." His voice cut through me, harsh and icy. "Stop embarrassing me."He did not even glance at the broken pieces again. "Give Sofia her ring back.""I didn't take it!" I clenched my teeth. "She forced it onto me. Check the cameras. The casino has surveillance."Vincent looked down at me, his eyes filled with disappointment and impatience."Isabella, when did you start lying? Do you realize how you look right n

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

Over the past few days, Vincent had been taking Sofia all over Euroland, indulging her every whim.Her Instagram was filled with private jets, top-tier jewelry, and limited-edition sports cars.At the same time, every mafia family received an invitation to the Costa family's birthday banquet.On the day of the event, Vincent stood among the crowd, listening to the endless compliments, yet an odd sense of irritation lingered beneath the surface.It had been a long time since he last heard from me.In the past, whenever he traveled, I would send him message after message. Even if he did not reply, I would still keep checking in, stubbornly showing I cared.However, those past few days, his phone had been completely silent.Uneasy, Vincent stepped out onto the terrace under the excuse of getting some air and dialed my number.No answer.He frowned and called the house steward instead."Where is she?""Sir, Miss Isabella left a few days ago and hasn't come back since."Vincent'

Chapter 8

"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

Chapter 9

Sofia froze where she stood.My mother ignored her completely. She pulled me into her arms and carefully examined the bruises on my wrist, her expression filled with worry."Does it hurt?"Before I could answer, Vincent stepped forward quickly. "Donna, this is a misunderstanding.""I was asking my daughter," my mother cut in sharply, her gaze turning icy. "Not you."The word daughter hit the room like a thunderclap.Sofia screamed, her voice shrill. "Mom, I'm your daughter! She's just an orphan!"At last, my mother turned to look at her. The coldness in her eyes was something Sofia had never seen before."You think you deserve to call me that?"The color drained from Sofia's face. A ripple of shock spread through the guests.Vincent felt his mind go blank as he looked at me, uncertainty flashing across his face."Isabella is someone I raised," he said quickly, trying to regain control. "If she caused trouble in a setting like this, then it's my fault for not keeping her in l

Chapter 10

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

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