Lahat ng Kabanata ng They Called Me Difficult, So I Left the Family: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Both sides of the long table went quiet.Letitia bit her lip. "Fiore, you're Father's biological daughter. I thought the pistol should go to you. I thought you'd like it."I asked her, "You didn't want this pistol because you aren't Father's biological daughter, so you shoved it off on me?"The color went out of Letitia's face.Vito, my eldest brother, frowned. "Fiore! Do you have to be like this? It's just a pistol. So what if Letitia switched them?"I answered, "Maybe not. But Father said each pistol was custom-made. Why did I end up with Letitia's used one?"If I accept this pistol and take it on an operation, then it jams during a reload and gets me killed, what's the real loss? My life, or the Family's reputation?"Vito had no answer.My mother stepped in to smooth things over. "That's enough, Fiore. Letitia was trying to be kind. Stop picking at every detail.""I'm not picking at details." I looked at her. "Father said this is a Family keepsake and every child has one. Is that ri

The deal my father meant was a consignment of arms at the east dock.The sum involved made the last one look like nothing.At the meeting, my father opened the file. "Letitia will liaise with the buyer. Vito will handle security, Lorenzo will run backup, and Rocco will escort the shipment. Fiore..."He paused. "You stay at the estate and keep the communications lines clear."I looked at him. "Someone is already assigned to communications, Father. This is a major deal. I should be on site."Rocco scoffed. "You, on site? If you question the buyer into silence, who will ever dare do business with us again?""That is basic security awareness. I have to judge whether a buyer can be trusted. Or is it that you simply don't care whether the deal is safe?"Rocco's expression changed. "You're splitting hairs again!""I am not. I am confirming facts."Letitia spoke at just the right moment. "Fiore, my health is poor, so all I can manage is the easy job of liaising with the buyer. If you want to p

My mother let go of Letitia's hand and came forward two steps. "Who told you to move out?""No one. I applied to have my name struck from the Family, and Elder Leo has already finalized it."Letitia gave me a pitiful look. "Fiore, is this because we left for the handover site without you this morning? Please don't be angry. I was only worried you couldn't handle it.""So you took all the equipment? If something had gone wrong on site, how was I supposed to contact anyone? Shout?"Tears spilled down Letitia's face. "I was wrong, Fiore. I was wrong. I shouldn't have acted without asking..."My mother patted her back. "Fiore, don't open with accusations. First, tell me exactly what you're doing. What do you mean, struck from the Family?""It means exactly what it sounds like. As of today, my name is no longer Rossi. My name has been crossed out in red in the Family's bloodline register. I gave up my inheritance, territory, and Family protection.""You've lost your mind!" Rocco charged ove

At noon the next day Elder Leo's formal notice went into the family chat and onto the council's notice board."The council has verified that the intake authorization for the east dock shipment was forged and that another person used the signature. Those involved have been referred to the Family disciplinary committee. The record of Fiore Rossi's voluntary removal remains valid and will carry no dishonorable designation."Less than ten minutes after it went out, my mother called."Fiore, why take this to the council? The disciplinary committee has already called Letitia in for questioning. She woke with a fever this morning!""Mother, are you calling to ask why I wouldn't let Letitia keep lying, or to tell me how worried you are because she's sick?"My mother hesitated. "I'm your mother. Of course I worry about you too.""Worry about what happened to me? Are you worried because I submitted evidence proving I didn't sign for the shipment, or because the council rejected the request for a

The next afternoon Letitia walked into the disciplinary committee's interview room of her own accord.She submitted five written statements, along with message logs, dates, and specific instructions from each time Elio contacted her.I stood in the corridor outside the council chamber and watched through the glass as she turned the pages one by one.Elder Leo came out and handed me a preliminary report stamped with the committee's seal.The investigation confirmed that Elio had been trading intelligence with a rival Family for a long time and had leaked information on seven major operations.Letitia cooperated and gave a complete account, so the committee treated her leniently. She was demoted to peripheral status, barred from core Family affairs for three years, and had her assets placed under council supervision.I folded the document and put it in the inside pocket of my coat."What did Letitia say?""She signed it without objection," Elder Leo said.After Elio's arrest, the Family