Semua Bab I'm the Master the Don Searched Seven Years For: Bab 1 - Bab 9

I woke up before the drug wore off, my head throbbing with a leaden weight. I looked up to find my wrists tied to the bed frame, the rope pulling tight against my skin. I could hear the ship's horn blaring continuously and feel the subtle swaying beneath me, indicating that the cruise ship had already set sail."You're in the clear, Gina! Edoardo's Consigliere is handling this thing personally, which means Edoardo's quite interested in Chiara!"I could hear Giulia Farina, my stepmother, and Gina Russo, my stepsister, talking excitedly outside the door. I couldn't believe that they referred to me as a "thing"—not a human being. I lacked the strength to even ball my hands into fists to strike someone since my limbs felt weak and my head was spinning.Gina spoke up immediately after, her voice filled with urgency and excitement. "How long will it take for the money to be deposited into the account, Mamma? Those debt collectors only gave us two days, so we're running out of time alrea

It was then that the elevator doors slid open, revealing the penthouse suite. It was decked with gold furniture and every possible luxury, yet a closer look revealed a heavy, soul-crushing stillness. Giulia and Gina were dazed by the glittering display, their breathing growing shallow and quick."I-Is this where Don Ariani lives?" Giulia asked, excitedly stroking a solid gold ornament by the entrance. "Do you see this, Chiara? If you manage to stay here, we'll be set for life, never having to worry about money again!"Gina looked completely out of her element, touching everything in sight. "Oh my God! If you manage to satisfy Don Ariani, I'll do whatever you say, Chiara! I'd even get on my knees and wait on you myself!"She became increasingly worked up as she spoke, earning looks of disdain from Calvino and the others, though they were clearly enjoying the power trip.It was then that Calvino's gaze snapped toward me, confusion flickering in his eyes. "W-What are you laughing at

In that instant, the air seemed to vanish from the hall, leaving everyone breathless.Edoardo's gaze was pinned firmly on my face, fixed on those two wounds that were still oozing blood. His pupils constricted sharply as he swallowed hard.At that moment, the man who ruled them all, the legendary Don Ariani, lost all strength in his legs and dropped to his knees before me.That single, heavy thud felt like a blow to everyone's heart.Without a second thought, Edorado prostrated himself on the cold deck, his hands braced against the wood and his forehead nearly touching the ground."You're finally back…" Edoardo's voice shook—not with terror, but with a raw, overwhelming happiness. Those seven years of relentless searching culminated in that single second, tearing through his hardened mask and leaving him completely exposed.Gina was paralyzed, her expression caught in a hollow grin as her mouth half-parted. Giulia released her grip on my hair, her entire hand trembling uncont

Gina had been cowering in the corner in silence, but she suddenly scrambled over to me on her knees. "Oh, Chiara! You never told us you were acquainted with Don Ariani! It would have saved us all these misunderstandings."I paid her no attention, but Edoardo turned his gaze to Gina with eyes full of derision. He then asked, "Which limited edition handbag were you planning to buy once you got the money, Gina?"Gina was foolish enough to believe that Edoardo intended to buy it for her.Edoardo demanded, "Give me the keys to your place."Gina scrambled to pull out her keys and offered them to one of the Soldati with both hands.Edoardo ordered, "Go make her watch while every handbag in her house is pulverized into nothing tonight."Gina's fawning smile stiffened. She quickly snapped back to her senses as she scrambled toward Edoardo on her knees. "I'm Chiara's sister, Don Ariani! Chiara and I are family!""Do you think you're worthy of that title?" I asked flatly, causing Gina to s

Having finished the suturing, Tommaso left the ointment behind and hurried out, leaving only Edoardo and me in the room.Edoardo picked up the intercom and ordered, "Get the message out that hiring Bruno Lombardi means declaring war on me. I'll withdraw all financial support!"He ended the call and looked down at me, saying, "Your most beloved man will be ruined by sunrise, Chiara, wandering without money for even a meal."I merely watched Edoardo in silence, listening to the boastful edge in his voice. I took my phone out of my handbag and opened a hidden black application. I went through the security layers—password, fingerprint, and retina scan—to access the application's dashboard. I then typed out a few quick commands and hit confirm. "Did you honestly believe I've just been playing housewife for the last seven years, Edoardo?"Edoardo furrowed his brow as I tossed my phone back into my handbag.A minute later, the intercom suddenly rang, and the Consigliere's voice came th