The grand reception hall of the Palazzo Contini felt suddenly small, suffocating, and devoid of air. The towering marble pillars cast long, ominous shadows across the frescoed floors, while the five senior members of the Venetian Banking Guild stood paralyzed beside their mahogany chairs, trembling in silent terror.At the head of the table, Lady Victoria Contini slowly pushed herself back against her high-backed velvet throne. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the carved wooden armrests, her icy blue eyes darting from the disarmed guards groaning on the floor to the imposing silhouette of Luca Vance, whose hand remained rested tightly on his sidearm.Finally, her gaze settled back onto Don Julia Romano."You are trespassing in Venice, Don Julia," Victoria said, forcing a cold, razor-sharp edge into her voice to mask the tremor beneath it. "The Venetian Banking Guild operates under autonomous charter. Your Tuscan authority ends at the Apennine pass."Julia did not raise her voi
Last Updated : 2026-08-13 Read more