The room erupted.But the uproar only lasted seconds before a suffocating tension choked the banquet hall.The air froze. The smart ones—the guests on the fringe—could smell the blood in the water. They were already slinking out the doors, hugging the walls.But the real power in the room hadn't moved. An old man in the shadows, tapping a silver wolf's-head cane against the floor. He hadn't said a word. He didn't have to. He was the Don.He watched the messy drama at the head table through half-closed eyes, looking down from on high.Nico stood there in silence for a solid minute.His face cycled through rage, shock, and helplessness, finally settling into a bitter defeat."Fine," he finally choked out, his voice raw. "I admit it. You're my daughter."Silence fell again.But I felt zero joy."Too late," I said, my voice ice. "I don't want a father. I'm here to collect what my mother is owed.""Take back what?" Isolda jumped in instantly. "We paid off that money years ago! I can even cu
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