The Don’s Favorite Lover Vanished

---- Chapter 15 Chiara's POV The next day, in a private room at a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Florence. Isat there, watching the three Russos across the table. My father, Lorenzo Rossi, sat beside me like a silent lion. "Lorenzo," the old Don Russo began, his voice low, "I apologize for my son's actions." "An apology?" my father sneered. "Your son almost got my daughter killed. You think an apology is enough?" "Chiara, my child..." Elena, Vincenzo's mother, looked at me, her eyes full of guilt. "Signora," I cut her off, my tone polite but razor-sharp.

" I stopped being your child a long time ago." Just then, the door to the private room was thrown open. Vincenzo strode in, his face a dark storm cloud. "Vincenzo!" the old Don roared. "Who told you to come ---- here?!" "This is my business." He walked straight to my side, ignoring my father's warning glare, and tried to take my hand. Ina flash, the barrel of my father's gun was pressed against Vincenzo's temple. "Get your filthy hands," Lorenzo's voice was ice, "off my daughter." Slowly, reluctantly, Vincenzo pulled his hand back. "Father," he said, looking at the old Don.

"The Russo family will establish a one-billion-euro art endowment, based in Florence." Everyone froze. "T want Chiara," he said, looking straight into my eyes, " to be the fund's chief advisor." Ilaughed. Not a smile. A cold, genuine, mocking laugh. "Don Russo," I stood up, using his most formal title. " ---- Two years ago, your son dismissed me with a severance of one hundred thousand dollars.

Now, he's trying to buy me back for a billion." looked around the table at each member of the Russo family and asked, word by word: "That's quite a jump in price, don't you think?" Vincenzo's face went white. The old Don and Elena looked like they'd been slapped. "Pm not buying you!" Vincenzo growled. "Then what are you doing?" I advanced on him, the rage in my chest finally igniting. "Trapping me with a job? Bribing me with money? Expecting me to just fall back in line like a fool?" "Tt's not about control!" "Then what is it?! Love?!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the silent room.

"Is that what your love is? Pushing me into an explosion? Tossing me aside for another woman? Treating me like a tool you can just throw away?" Every question was a slap across his face. ---- "Ts that your love?" I sneered. "Because if it is, Vincenzo, I'd rather have your hate." "Chiara..." His voice trembled, his eyes filled with pain. "Don't say my name," I took a step back, creating a final, unbridgeable gap between us. "You don't have the right." Iturned to the old Don and Elena and gave a slight nod. "Thank you for your 'generous' offer.

But I'm afraid we have nothing more to discuss." I looked at my father. "Dad, let's go." Lorenzo stood up and nodded to the old Don. "This meeting is over." "wait!" Vincenzo called out desperately. "We can start over!" I stopped at the door but didn't turn back. "Vincenzo," my voice was hollow. "Some things, once they shatter, can't be fixed. Trust is one of them. And so am I." I opened the door and walked out with my father. ---- Behind us, I heard Vincenzo's desperate roar, followed by the old Don's furious curses. We walked to the elevator.

"Dad," I said, looking at our reflections in the polished doors. "Send the word. Unleash 'Project Citadel'." Asharp light glinted in Lorenzo's eyes. "Understood." Iclenched my fists. For two years, I had forced myself to forget, to pretend Vincenzo never existed. Ihad honored the old blood pact. I had not sought revenge. But he just wouldn't let me go. Fine. I had no reason to show him any mercy.