A powerful full drama movie filled with love, secrets, and unexpected twists.
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
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AmusantTranscription
00:00I'm Issa Borgia, the daughter of the most powerful Don in Corvina.
00:03My father worries I'll marry the wrong man on a whim,
00:06so he arranges for me to be engaged to Luca, the rising heir of the Marino family.
00:11It's an arranged marriage, but that doesn't mean I've lost all my say.
00:15The very least I can do is choose a ring I genuinely like.
00:18So, I go to the mafia auction.
00:20When the diamond ring appears as the final jewel of the night,
00:24I lift my paddle.
00:25Just before the gavel falls, an arrogant voice comes from behind me.
00:30A country bumplin' like you thinks you can compete with me?
00:33Do yourself a favor and leave.
00:36The auction hall goes quiet for a few seconds.
00:38The only sound comes from the camera shutters clicking around the hall.
00:42I turn and see a woman in a gold couture gown.
00:45Her mouth curves in a casual smile as if she owns the place.
00:48Before I can say a word, the auctioneer rushes to close the bid.
00:52Sold!
00:53Congratulations to Miss Sofia Lopez for winning the final lot, the Eternal Star.
00:58My brows pull tight, and a hot spike of anger rises in my chest.
01:03You ended the bidding early.
01:05Do you even follow the rules here?
01:07Sofia turns around and gives me a once-over, her gaze sharp as a blade.
01:11Rules?
01:12She lets out a cold laugh.
01:14Come on.
01:15I'm Luca Marino's favorite godsister.
01:18Around here, I make the rules.
01:20I can't help but laugh.
01:21What a coincidence.
01:23So, she's my fiancé's godsister.
01:26I pull out my phone and call him.
01:28Luca.
01:29Your godsister just snatched the engagement ring I picked out.
01:32How are you gonna handle this?
01:37It seemed like Sofia Lopez wasn't just a godsister to Luca Marino.
01:41If Luca couldn't give me a good explanation, this engagement was off the table.
01:45I called the number I'd saved but never once dialed.
01:49Once the call connected, I went straight to the point.
01:52Your godsister is trying to snatch the engagement ring I chose.
01:56What do you have to say about that?
01:58Silence hung for a moment.
02:00Then, a cold, unfamiliar voice came through the line.
02:03Who is this?
02:04Whatever's going on between Sofia and me isn't something an outsider gets to question.
02:09Before I could say my name, he had already hung up.
02:12I stared at the dark screen for a second and let out an incredulous laugh.
02:16Obviously, he hadn't even saved my number.
02:19Sofia's laughter cut through the crowd, sharp with smug delight.
02:23Pathetic.
02:24You somehow got Luca's number and actually think that means he knows you?
02:29God, you're cracking me up.
02:31She tilted her chin and twisted a lock of hair around her fingers while looking me over again.
02:37Seriously, look at what you're wearing.
02:39Even the nannies in the Merino family dress better than you.
02:42The lackeys around her couldn't hold back and burst into mocking laughter.
02:48I had always believed comfort mattered more than designer labels.
02:52But in a hall drowning in diamonds and custom gowns, no one here cared about that belief.
02:57I pressed my lips together, heat rising up my chest.
03:00So, you're still judging people by logos?
03:03You're unbelievably shallow.
03:05Lucas sure had special taste when picking his god sister.
03:10Thanks to her stunt, I wasn't in the mood for the auction anymore.
03:13I turned to the auctioneer and pointed straight at the eternal star ring in the display case.
03:17I want to activate the automatic bidding system.
03:20Whatever she offers, I'll pay double.
03:24Miss, our automatic bidding service is reserved for clients with VIP cards.
03:28Sophia gave a sharp little snort.
03:31She reached into her clutch, pulled out a gold VIP card, and slapped it onto the podium.
03:36I spend seven figures a year here.
03:38And you?
03:40How exactly do you compare to me?
03:42I drew in a slow breath, took out a plain black card with no logo, and placed it beside hers.
03:48Unlimited credit black card.
03:51Is that sufficient?
03:52Open the VIP account and restart the bid.
03:57A wave of startled whispers rolled through the hall.
04:00Sophia's smile faded, and her tone turned colder.
04:04This is Marino territory.
04:06If anyone sides with her, I'll make sure they never work in this city again.
04:10The auctioneer's face went chalk white.
04:12His voice shook as he said,
04:14Miss, I'm just a staff member.
04:17I really can't afford to offend the Marino family.
04:20Several guests who'd seen the whole thing started trying to persuade me.
04:23Just let it go.
04:25I've run into Miss Lopez before.
04:27Mr. Martino indulges her in everything.
04:30Someone crossed her last month, and his entire business was gone the very next day.
04:35Miss, even if you've got money, don't fight the Marino family.
04:39Their reach isn't something people like us can survive.
04:42Just apologize and ask Miss Lopez to forgive you before this gets worse.
04:47Under all those cautious glances and hushed warnings, Sophia only grew more pleased with herself.
04:53She crossed her arms and came closer, wearing a smug smile.
04:57The amusement in her eyes practically sparkled.
04:59You heard them.
05:00Get on your knees and shout.
05:02I'm broke, and I know I was wrong.
05:06Do that, and maybe I'll let you walk out of here.
05:12In all 26 years of my life, no one had ever dared to talk to me like that.
05:17Say that again?
05:19What exactly do you want me to shout?
05:22Are you deaf?
05:23I said, I'm broke, and I know I was wrong.
05:27Got it now?
05:28Loud and clear.
05:29Since you admit you're broke, hurry up and get out of here.
05:32Before you dragged down the Marino name.
05:35Sophia's face flushed as she finally realized what I'd done.
05:38You!
05:39You twisted my words!
05:41How dare you make fun of me!
05:42She screeched and hurled herself at me, arms flailing like a furious chicken.
05:46It would have been funny if she weren't so noisy.
05:49I had trained with my family's bodyguards in Corvina for 10 years.
05:53I wasn't about to be intimidated by a woman whose punches were nothing but a performance.
05:57I drove a clean sidekick into her ribs.
06:00Sophia went down hard, holding onto the carpet with a pained groan.
06:04Regret.
06:05Next time you open your mouth, remember whose territory you're standing on.
06:09Gasps rippled through the hall.
06:14Oh my god!
06:15She actually hit Mrs. Lopez!
06:17When Mr. Marino hears about this, he'll have her chopped up and thrown into the bay.
06:22She's done.
06:24Not even God can save her now.
06:26I tuned their chatter out.
06:28The Marino family only stood where they did today because my father had pulled them up
06:33when they were nothing.
06:34In this city, there wasn't a single person I needed to be afraid of.
06:38I slapped my black card on the podium again.
06:40Like I said, whatever she bids, I'll pay double.
06:45Wrapped the ring and hand it over.
06:47The auctioneer's knees visibly buckled.
06:49Hands shaking, he hit the authorization button and personally presented the velvet box to me.
06:54I put it into a bag and turned to leave, only for Sophia to drag herself upright and stumble
06:59back into my path.
07:00Don't you dare leave!
07:02I tapped the toe of my heel against the floor and glanced down.
07:06What is it?
07:08You want another practical demonstration?
07:11She instinctively took a step back.
07:12I let out a soft dismissive laugh and pivoted toward the exit.
07:18But I didn't get far.
07:20A wall of men in black suits suddenly filled the doorway, blocking every way out.
07:24Before the guests could even process what was happening, the line of bodyguards split
07:28cleanly down the middle.
07:30A man walked through the gap they made.
07:32I looked up, and for a second my heart actually skipped.
07:35The overhead lights fell across him, outlining every inch of his frame.
07:39He had the kind of build tailors dreamed about, broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs.
07:44His face was all sharp planes and clean edges, so perfect it looked like someone had carved
07:49it out of stone.
07:50Sophia immediately switched on the waterworks and ran to him, tears glistening.
07:55Luca, she stole my ring and hit me.
07:59So, this was my fiancé.
08:01No wonder my father had sworn up and down that I'd like him.
08:04He knew me too well.
08:05I was hopelessly shallow when it came to looks, and Luca fit my taste a little too perfectly.
08:11Seeing that face alone, I almost felt like forgiving his earlier attitude on the phone.
08:15I straightened, gave him my most confident smile, and introduced myself.
08:20Hi, I'm Isa Borgia, your fiancé.
08:26A ripple of shock moved through the crowd.
08:29What did she say?
08:30She's Mr. Marino's fiancé!
08:32Well, obviously, the fiancé matters more than a godsister.
08:37Not really.
08:38It depends on who Mr. Marino actually favors.
08:41Luca's cold gaze settled on me.
08:43Don't flatter yourself.
08:44That engagement was my father's decision.
08:47I never agreed to it.
08:48Sophia leaned into Luca with her head on his shoulder,
08:51her eyes sparkling with a challenge she wasn't bothering to hide.
08:54Look at you in those cheap clothes.
08:57You really think you deserve to marry him?
08:59You're not even qualified to shine my shoes.
09:02Someone in the crowd eagerly piled on.
09:04Exactly.
09:05If Mr. Marino ever gets married, it'll be to a real heiress.
09:09Why would he choose a nobody from the countryside?
09:12She looks dirty.
09:14I feel like the air smells worse already.
09:16She's nowhere near Miss Lopez's level.
09:18I'd worn something simple.
09:20There was nothing dirty about it.
09:21But in their mouths, I'd somehow turned into a walking trash heap.
09:25People always did love kicking whoever they thought was at the bottom.
09:32I lifted my eyes slowly and let my gaze sweep the entire auction hall
09:36before bringing it back to Luca's face.
09:38In that case, go home and tell your father to call off the wedding.
09:42And the reason?
09:44I don't want you.
09:46My father told me that Luca's father, Antonio Marino,
09:49had pulled every string he could to make this engagement happen.
09:52If he ever learned it all blew up because of Luca,
09:54I'd pay to see the look on his face.
09:57That thought eased my irritation.
09:59I couldn't be bothered arguing with this pack of idiots anymore,
10:02so I turned to leave.
10:03But Sophia wasn't done.
10:05She came stomping toward me in her stilettos like a hyena
10:07that had caught the scent of blood,
10:09with two bodyguards following closely behind her.
10:11The black pistols peeking from their holsters were enough to freeze the room.
10:16You bitch!
10:17You think you can just walk away?
10:19You snatched my ring and laid hands on me?
10:22We're not done!
10:23I gave her a cold look.
10:25So what exactly do you want to do?
10:27She mistook my patience for fear.
10:29Her hand snapped up toward my face.
10:31I'll hit you until I feel better!
10:37Before her palm could land,
10:39I caught her wrist,
10:40twisted and slapped her across the face with my other hand.
10:42Sophia clutched her cheek, staring at me in disbelief.
10:45You lowlife!
10:47How dare you!
10:49Why wouldn't I?
10:50I cut her off,
10:51slapping her other cheek just as hard.
10:53Is this enough for you?
10:54The two slaps knocked the arrogance right off her face.
10:57Tears sprang to her eyes as she stumbled back
10:59and threw herself behind Luca,
11:01using him like a shield.
11:02Luca!
11:03She hit me!
11:05You have to stand up for me!
11:07Luca pulled her behind him
11:08and looked at me with a gaze so dark
11:10it could have dripped ink.
11:11How dare you slap her?
11:13You must really have a death wish.
11:15He gave his bodyguards a subtle hand signal.
11:18Several of the bodyguards lunged at me at the same time.
11:21I took down the first one who charged at me,
11:23but the rest came too fast.
11:25Hits rained on me from all directions.
11:27Pain tore through my ribs and back
11:29until my legs gave out.
11:31Two bodyguards grabbed me under the arms
11:33and hauled me over to Luca and Sophia.
11:37Luca stroked Sophia's swollen cheek and said softly,
11:41Do whatever you want with her.
11:42If anything happens, I'll take care of it.
11:44His words sent a spark through Sophia.
11:47She spat at me,
11:48her face contorting with cruel satisfaction.
11:51Bitch!
11:52Weren't you so bold just now?
11:54Come on, keep acting tough.
11:56You want to fight me over a ring?
11:59Fine.
12:00I'll break your fingers.
12:02Let's see what you'll wear on them after that.
12:04At her nod, the two bodyguards pinned my shoulders
12:07before forcing my arm out in front of me,
12:09stretching my fingers over the polished floor.
12:11I lifted my head and stared straight at Luca and Sophia.
12:14If you go through with this,
12:16I swear I'll make you both pay for it.
12:19Sophia let out a sharp laugh.
12:20The Marino family is one of the five ruling houses in Norham City.
12:24And you?
12:25You're a nameless little stray from nowhere.
12:27You think you get to threaten us today?
12:29I'll make sure you never forget what happens when you cross me.
12:35Her stiletto drove down on my fingers
12:37and pain ripped through my hand.
12:39I bit down so hard I tasted blood.
12:41I was pretty sure I heard something crack.
12:43Everyone around us looked away from the violence,
12:46but no one had the courage to step in.
12:48She shouldn't have picked a fight with a Marino.
12:50Her hands are done for.
12:52She'll be lucky if she can even feed herself after this.
12:54We're just civilians.
12:55People like us swallow our pride or end up dead.
12:58I had loved the piano since I was a child.
13:01I would be performing on stages all around the world.
13:03I couldn't lose my hands.
13:05The thought of losing them sent a cold, strangling fear through me.
13:09When Sophia lifted her heel again, my resolve collapsed.
13:12I was wrong!
13:14You can have the ring!
13:15Take it!
13:16Just don't hurt my hands!
13:18Revenge could wait, but fingers didn't grow back.
13:21However, Sophia didn't pause.
13:23Her heel pressed down again, harder this time.
13:25A metallic smell rose from my bleeding hand.
13:31Sophia finished grinding her heel into my fingers,
13:33then squatted down, pinched my chin tightly,
13:36and brought her face right up to mine.
13:38Her mascara was a little smudged,
13:40and fine lines were visible at the corners of her eyes.
13:43I noticed these details only because my face was pressed so close to hers.
13:47Do you actually think you're special?
13:49She whispered softly, as if sharing a secret.
13:52Let me tell you, Luca has already gone through three fiancées.
13:56I drove every single one of them away.
13:59You're the fourth, and by far the stupidest one.
14:02Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth, but I didn't talk back.
14:06It wasn't because I didn't dare it, was because I had no strength left.
14:09My right hand had already gone completely numb.
14:12I didn't dare look at it.
14:13That's right.
14:14Sophia laughed, her voice full of malice.
14:17The first one was dumped by him.
14:18The second left on her own.
14:20And the third?
14:21I personally made her disappear.
14:24Her eyes changed, turning dark and sinister.
14:27How long do you think you can hold on?
14:29She stood up and coldly ordered the bodyguard,
14:31pin her other hand down too?
14:33Today I'm going to crush both of her hands.
14:36Let's see how she seduces after this!
14:40You bitch!
14:43Oh, now you're scared.
14:45Too late for that.
14:47You're not leaving this place until I say so.
14:51A scream tore out of my throat.
14:53I turned my head to Luca.
14:55Luca, aren't you afraid of who I am?
14:58If you let her do this, you'll regret it.
15:02Who are you?
15:04You're nothing.
15:05Just a woman who tricked my father.
15:08Sophia saw his reaction, and her smile grew even more vicious.
15:12You're still trying to seduce Luca while I'm right here.
15:16If I don't break your hands, you'll never learn.
15:20No!
15:21Ah!
15:21Don't!
15:22Just then, my phone rang from inside my bag.
15:25I struggled against the men holding me trying to reach for it, but Sophia moved faster.
15:30She grabbed the phone, glanced at the screen, and answered it with a cold laugh.
15:34My father's voice came through at once, tight with worry.
15:38Issa, why aren't you home yet?
15:41Is the auction still going?
15:43I dragged in a breath, and shouted as loudly as I could.
15:46Papa, help me!
15:48They're going to destroy my hands!
15:55My father's voice went cold in an instant.
15:58What?
15:58Who is this?
15:59Sophia shouted into the phone.
16:01I'm Sophia Lopez.
16:02Your daughter's been acting like a slut with men, so I'm teaching her a lesson!
16:08I don't care who you are.
16:09Let my daughter go.
16:10Touch her again, and you'll wish you'd never been born.
16:13If you've got the guts, come over here.
16:16Her heel slammed into my hand once more, and I couldn't hold back a cry.
16:19I'm right here waiting.
16:22I'll break her hands first and let you hear it, and when you get here, I'll break yours too.
16:27She hung up and slammed my phone to the floor.
16:30It shattered into pieces.
16:32Then, she ordered the men around us to beat me.
16:35Five minutes passed.
16:36It wasn't long on a clock, but it felt like half a lifetime.
16:39At last, a familiar armored black sedan rolled to a stop outside the auction hall.
16:44The air itself seemed to tighten.
16:45My father stepped out of the car,
16:47his black coat still carrying the faint scent of gunpowder and blood.
16:54His eyes were cold with fury as he pushed the main doors open.
16:57His voice cut through the hall like a blade.
16:59Who dares to threaten
17:01to break my hands
17:03and my daughters?
17:05When my father stepped into the doorway,
17:07the air in the auction halls seemed to freeze.
17:10His sharp gaze swept the room once,
17:12then stopped on me.
17:12I was still being held down.
17:14Sophia still had no idea danger had just walked in.
17:17She even let out a dismissive laugh
17:19and stepped forward in her stilettos.
17:21So, you're this slut's father.
17:23Perfect.
17:24Your daughter snatched my ring and slapped me.
17:27You two had better apologize right now,
17:29or the Marino family won't let either of you walk out of here.
17:32The crowd rippled with whispers.
17:34A few guests edged toward my father,
17:37their voices low and nervous.
17:38Sir, you should back down.
17:40Miss Lopez is Mr. Marino's favorite god sister.
17:44In Norham City,
17:45no one dares cross the Marino family.
17:48For you RS safety and your daughters,
17:50just admit fault.
17:52There's no shame in you.
17:55My father didn't spare any of them a glance.
17:58He simply lifted his hand.
18:00The two men behind him moved at once,
18:02striding over to me.
18:03They kicked aside the bodyguards holding my shoulders
18:06and pulled me gently to my feet.
18:07I staggered into my father's arms.
18:09He caught me,
18:10pulling me close as he soothed me
18:12with a gentle hand on my back.
18:14Does it hurt my little princess?
18:16His voice sounded calm,
18:17but anyone who knew him
18:18could hear the storm gathering beneath it.
18:20I nodded,
18:21and tears slipped down my cheeks.
18:23They wanted to rip out my nails too, Papa.
18:25His eyes grew even colder.
18:27He turned to Sophia and Luca,
18:29his voice edged with undeniable authority.
18:31In my whole life,
18:32almost nothing has ever made me apologize.
18:35Sophia flinched under his stare,
18:37then quickly latched onto Luca's arm
18:39and tried to look composed.
18:41Luca, look at them.
18:43They really don't know their place.
18:45Luca finally spoke,
18:46his tone icy.
18:47Sir,
18:48you'd better do as Sophia says.
18:50In Norum City,
18:51going against my family is unwise.
18:55My father let out a mocking laugh.
18:57Your family.
18:59Which one would that be?
19:01The Madrine family?
19:03The Marniff family?
19:05He waved a hand dismissively.
19:07I don't bother remembering small families.
19:10Even if your father,
19:12Antonio,
19:13were standing in front of me,
19:15he wouldn't dare to speak to me like that.
19:17Luca's expression shifted in an instant.
19:19He said in a low voice,
19:20anger seeping through.
19:22Sir,
19:23even if you know my father,
19:25isn't that a bit too arrogant?
19:27My father didn't even look at Luca.
19:29He took out his phone,
19:31dialed a number,
19:32and raised it to his ear.
19:33The call connected almost immediately.
19:36Antonio,
19:37your son just asked me
19:39if I was being too arrogant.
19:41There was a few seconds of silence
19:43on the other end.
19:44Then Antonio's voice came through,
19:46trembling noticeably.
19:47Don Borgia,
19:49Luca,
19:50he doesn't know what you're talking about.
19:54He doesn't know.
19:55Father repeated,
19:56a cold smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth.
19:59There are so many things he doesn't know.
20:01For example,
20:02who dragged the Marino family
20:04out of the ruins of Corvola 20 years ago.
20:07Or how his father knelt in front of me back then,
20:09with snot and tears all over his face,
20:12begging me to take him in.
20:14Luca's face turned deathly pale in an instant.
20:16Father hadn't put the call on speaker,
20:18but the hall was deathly quiet.
20:20So Antonio's voice still came through intermittently.
20:23Don Borgia,
20:24I beg you,
20:25Luca is still a child.
20:26He doesn't understand.
20:28A child.
20:29Father cut him off.
20:30When your son ordered his men
20:31to gang up and beat my daughter,
20:33he wasn't acting like a child.
20:36Another heavy silence.
20:37Then Antonio's voice became even lower,
20:40almost a whisper.
20:41I,
20:41I will come and apologize in person tomorrow.
20:43Whatever conditions you want,
20:46I'll agree to all of them.
20:47Father didn't answer.
20:48He hung up the phone directly.
20:50He put the phone back in his pocket,
20:52then finally looked at Luca again.
20:54Did you hear that?
20:55Your father didn't even dare to ask what happened.
20:58He only knows one thing.
21:00He has offended someone he shouldn't have.
21:02Luca's lips were trembling,
21:04but he still gritted his teeth and said,
21:06You,
21:06you're bluffing me.
21:07You faked that call.
21:09Before he could finish,
21:11Luca's phone rang.
21:12He looked down at the screen,
21:14and his pupils shrank violently.
21:16Caller ID.
21:17Father.
21:18Luca's finger hovered over the answer button,
21:20refusing to press it for a long time.
21:22My father glanced at him and said indifferently,
21:25Answer it.
21:26Listen to what your father has to say.
21:29Gritting his teeth,
21:29Luca finally pressed the answer button.
21:32Antonio's voice exploded from the receiver,
21:34loud enough for everyone within three meters to hear.
21:37You animal!
21:37Do you even know what you've done?
21:39If Miss Morgia loses even a single hair,
21:41I'll pretend I never gave birth to a son like you!
21:44Luca's face went from white to ashen gray.
21:47He opened his mouth,
21:48but not a single word came out.
21:53My father set the tip of his cane against the marble floor.
21:57The tap rang clear in the hush of the hall as he stepped forward.
22:00His eyes fixed on Luca,
22:02like a hawk sighting prey.
22:04Arrogant.
22:04He scoffed coldly.
22:06One of my daughter's fingers is worth more
22:08than the head on your shoulders.
22:11And you dared to touch her!
22:13He paused,
22:14then spoke each word as if he were nailing it into the floor.
22:17My daughter has never accepted a rose
22:19that still had its thorns.
22:21Anyone who dares hurt her,
22:23I'll make them pay for that a hundred times over.
22:26Almost on the last word,
22:28the main doors of the auction hall slammed open.
22:32A line of men in black suits filed in,
22:35their movements clean and coordinated.
22:37In just a few minutes,
22:38every bodyguard Luca had brought was disarmed
22:40and pinned to the floor,
22:42their arms locked behind their backs.
22:44Everything turned around in an instant.
22:46Two men stepped up behind Luca and Sophia,
22:48grabbed their shoulders,
22:49and forced them down to their knees in front of my father.
22:52Sophia tried to twist away,
22:54panic wiping the arrogance from her face.
22:56Her makeup had streaked down her cheeks,
22:58and she turned to Luca in desperation.
23:00Luca, help me!
23:02Luca tried to wrench free,
23:03veins throbbing at his temples.
23:05Let me go!
23:07I swear,
23:09you don't know the price you're about to pay.
23:11My father looked down at Luca and Sophia
23:13like they were nothing more than insects crawling on the floor.
23:17Pay the price.
23:18His voice stayed eerily calm,
23:20making the hall feel even colder.
23:22When you ordered my daughter beaten,
23:23did you ever stop to think about the price you'd pay?
23:28Then he turned to me,
23:29and that killing frost in his eyes softened.
23:32Isa,
23:33how do you want to deal with you?
23:34I walked toward Sophia.
23:36The ache in my fingers turned every step heavy,
23:39but the anger burning in my chest kept me moving.
23:42I fisted a hand in her perfectly styled hair
23:44and yanked her head up so that she had to look at me.
23:47Whatever you did to me,
23:49I will return to you!
23:51I kept slapping her until her cheeks puffed up
23:53and flushed an angry red.
23:55Sophia glared up at me,
23:56eyes burning with hate and lips smeared with blood.
23:59Even then, she kept spitting curses.
24:01You bitch!
24:02Just wait!
24:04Luca will make you wish you were dead!
24:07Luca lunged, trying to get up.
24:09Stop!
24:10I turned and drove my heel into his chest,
24:13sending him right back down.
24:14I had put everything into that kick,
24:16and the impact shot a fierce pain at my injured fingers.
24:20Clutching his ribs,
24:21Luca sucked in a breath,
24:22but he still tried to threaten us.
24:26The iron door slammed shut behind them
24:29with a deafening bang.
24:30Luca and Sophia were shoved into a pitch black basement.
24:33Sophia's footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
24:35Her voice shot up,
24:37sharp enough to shatter glass.
24:38What's that sound?
24:40What the hell is that?
24:42Three wolf dogs.
24:43Not very large,
24:44but their ribs were clearly visible.
24:46They hadn't been fed for three days.
24:48The sound of iron chains dragging across the floor
24:51was like the grim reaper's scythe.
24:53Luca whispered urgently,
24:55Don't move.
24:55Sophia let out a piercing scream
24:57and staggered backward.
24:59Don't move.
25:00Don't run.
25:02Her high heels stepped on something wet and slippery,
25:05and she fell hard to the ground.
25:07All three wolf dogs lunged forward at once.
25:10Luca.
25:11Her voice became tiny,
25:12almost like she was talking to herself.
25:14Are we going to die here?
25:16Luca didn't answer.
25:18His hand fumbled in his pocket for his phone.
25:21The screen lit up for a second,
25:22no signal.
25:23It won't happen.
25:24He said,
25:25but his voice lacked any conviction.
25:27My father will come save us.
25:29Another hour passed.
25:30Footsteps sounded outside the iron door.
25:33Sophia jerked her head up,
25:35hope flashing in her eyes.
25:36A small window on the iron door opened,
25:39and a bowl of water along with a few pieces of dry bread
25:42were pushed inside.
25:43Sophia scrambled over,
25:45her voice hoarse.
25:46Let us out!
25:48Do you know who I am?
25:50I'm the eldest daughter of the Lopez family!
25:53If you dare!
25:55The small window slammed shut.
25:57The footsteps faded away.
25:58Sophia stood frozen in place,
26:00clutching the bowl of water.
26:02Tears fell pathetically into it.
26:04Drop after drop.
26:07Luca had barely slept all night.
26:10He kept staring at those three pairs of green eyes
26:12until his own eyes were dry and burning.
26:15Sophia curled up beside him,
26:17burying her face in his chest.
26:18Her expensive custom dress was torn in several places,
26:22and her nails were caked with dirt.
26:23She suddenly spoke,
26:25her voice raspy.
26:26Luca, is your phone still working?
26:28No signal.
26:29I don't want to make a call.
26:31Sophia lifted her head.
26:32There was a strange gleam in her eyes
26:34that he had never seen before.
26:36Let's take a selfie.
26:37When we get out,
26:38I'm going to post it everywhere,
26:40and let everyone know
26:41what that Borgia bitch did to us.
26:43Luca was stunned for a second,
26:45then laughed.
26:45It wasn't a happy laugh,
26:47it was a laugh of utter absurdity.
26:49You're thinking about taking photos
26:50at a time like this?
26:51I'm not willing to accept this.
26:53Sophia's voice suddenly rose.
26:55I've never suffered like this in my entire life!
26:57Who does she think she is?
26:59Just some wild bastard who appeared out of nowhere!
27:02A low growl suddenly came from the wolf dogs.
27:05Sophia's voice cut off abruptly.
27:07Three pairs of green eyes locked onto her at the same time.
27:10She slowly shrank back into Luca's arms
27:13and stopped talking.
27:15The bread was gone.
27:17The water was gone.
27:18The wolf dogs began pacing restlessly,
27:21their chains scraping loudly against the floor.
27:24Sophia leaned against the wall,
27:25her lips cracked,
27:26her hair a complete mess.
27:27Her eyes were unfocused,
27:29like a phone that had run out of battery.
27:31Her voice was as light as a wisp of smoke.
27:34Luca, do you think
27:36your father will really come to save us?
27:39Luca remained silent for a long time.
27:41He will.
27:42He's my father.
27:44He didn't say it out loud,
27:45but he was starting to feel afraid.
27:48Not of the wolf dogs,
27:50but of a deeper fear.
27:51What if his father had already given up on him?
27:53Finally,
27:54footsteps sounded outside the iron door again.
27:56This time there was more than one person.
27:59The iron door was opened.
28:00Blinding light flooded in.
28:02Both Sophia and Luca
28:03instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes.
28:06The wolf dogs were led away.
28:08Several men in black suits
28:09walked in expressionlessly,
28:11and dragged them up.
28:13Sophia's legs had gone completely limp.
28:15She was supported by two men
28:16as they dragged her out.
28:18Luca staggered,
28:19barely able to stand,
28:20his legs also trembling.
28:22The moment they stepped out of the basement,
28:24fresh air rushed toward them.
28:26Sophia gasped greedily,
28:27like a drowning person
28:29finally pulled ashore.
28:30I won't let this go.
28:31She whispered hoarsely,
28:33Borgia.
28:34Just you wait.
28:36Luca didn't speak.
28:37He stared straight ahead,
28:38his face ashen.
28:40What he was thinking
28:40was something else in these three days.
28:42His father hadn't made even a single phone call.
28:47I woke to the sting of antiseptic.
28:49The first thing I saw
28:50was my father's face above me,
28:52drawn tight with worry.
28:54My right hand was wrapped in thick bandages.
28:56A dull pain throbbed through each finger.
28:59Your fingers are saved.
29:00My father said,
29:01brushing the hair away from my forehead.
29:03But they'll need time to heal.
29:04Just then the door eased open.
29:06Antonio stood at the threshold.
29:08The man who usually dominated headlines
29:10as an untouchable mafia,
29:11he said hoarsely.
29:13Don Borgia,
29:14my son was reckless.
29:16He offended Mrs. Borgia.
29:18My father looked at him coldly
29:19and said nothing.
29:21Antonio turned to me instead
29:22and bowed deeply.
29:23Mrs. Borgia,
29:24Luca was ignorant.
29:25He had no idea who you were.
29:27Everything our family has today
29:28came from Don Borgia's support years ago.
29:30This engagement was us
29:31reaching far of our station.
29:32We won't mention it again.
29:33I only beg you to spare his life.
29:35I looked at Antonio,
29:36who seemed to have aged overnight
29:38and felt nothing at all.
29:40Fine.
29:40I said my voice weak but clear.
29:43I'll give you a choice.
29:44You can keep your son
29:46or you can keep your entire family.
29:50His body visibly swayed.
29:53His lips trembled
29:54and pain flickered across his eyes
29:56as he fought with himself.
29:57After a long silence,
29:59he lowered his head.
30:00I'll accept whatever you decide.
30:02This was how our world worked.
30:04In the mafia world,
30:05family interests always sat higher
30:07than a single individual.
30:08I'm not asking for his life.
30:10I said,
30:11turning my gaze toward the window.
30:13But I have one condition.
30:14At the five families gathering,
30:16he has to apologize to me
30:18in front of everyone.
30:19Antonio let out a long sigh of relief.
30:22Of course.
30:23I'll make sure Luca apologizes sincerely,
30:25Mrs. Borjara.
30:26He left with shaky steps,
30:28his back slumped in defeat.
30:30The day of the five families gathering
30:32finally arrived.
30:33It was held at the same auction house.
30:36The moment my father and I
30:37walked into the hall,
30:38every gaze in the room swung toward us.
30:43I wore a deep red gown
30:45that brushed the floor
30:46with every step.
30:47A matching velvet glove
30:48covered my injured right hand,
30:50an elegant mask for the damage
30:52that still hadn't fully healed.
30:54Antonio hurried over to greet us,
30:56his face pale and strained with nerves.
30:58Don Borgia,
31:00Ms. Borgia,
31:02thank you for gracing us
31:03with your presence tonight.
31:04I gave him a small, polite nod
31:06and slowly scanned the crowded hall.
31:08All eyes were already on us.
31:10Father's voice was low and commanding.
31:12Bring them up.
31:14Several bodyguards wheeled
31:15a heavy iron cage
31:16into the center of the room,
31:18right under the bright spotlight.
31:20The moment the cage came into view,
31:22a wave of shocked murmurs
31:24swept through the crowd.
31:25Inside, Luca and Sophia
31:27were huddled together
31:27like trapped animals.
31:29Their clothes were torn and filthy.
31:32Sophia's once glorious gold gown
31:34hung in ragged strips,
31:35while Luca's expensive suit
31:37was covered in dirt and dried blood.
31:40Bruises and cuts
31:41marred their faces and arms.
31:43Whatever they had endured
31:44these past few days,
31:45it had clearly been hell.
31:47The bodyguards unlocked the cage
31:49and dragged them out roughly,
31:50showing no mercy.
31:52Sophia's legs gave out instantly.
31:53She collapsed to her knees,
31:55staring at me with wide, terrified eyes.
31:58Isa!
32:00Please!
32:03We were wrong!
32:04I was wrong!
32:06Just let us go!
32:08Luca lifted his head.
32:09Miss Borg,
32:11I beg you,
32:13have mercy.
32:14My family will compensate you
32:15however you want.
32:17Just,
32:18don't do this in public.
32:19I looked down at them coldly,
32:21my injured hand resting lightly
32:23on my father's arm.
32:24Public?
32:25You humiliated me in public first.
32:28Did you show me any mercy then?
32:30I took one slow step forward,
32:32my voice clear enough
32:33for the entire hall to hear.
32:34You wanted to break me.
32:37Now the whole of Norum gets to watch
32:39as I break you.
32:44Luca staggered,
32:45swaying on his feet.
32:46His eyes darted wildly over the crowd
32:48until they locked on Antonio.
32:50Dad!
32:51He shouted hoarsely,
32:53his voice cracking with despair.
32:55You have to help me.
32:57They don't respect the Marino family at all.
33:00He jabbed a shaking finger
33:01at my father and me,
33:03his eyes burning with hatred.
33:05Antonia's face went white.
33:06He strode forward
33:07and in front of everyone
33:09slapped Luca so hard
33:10that the sound cracked across the hall.
33:13You ungrateful brat.
33:15Get on your knees
33:16and apologize to Mrs. Borgia.
33:19Now.
33:20Sophia jerked her head up,
33:22her voice sharp with outrage.
33:24Don Marino,
33:25you must be joking.
33:27You want Luca to apologize
33:29to those two noblies?
33:30Shut your mouth!
33:32Antonio snapped,
33:33turning on her with a glare
33:34sharp enough to scourge.
33:36This all started because of you.
33:38If not for you,
33:39Luca would never
33:40have offended Don Borgia
33:42and Miss Borgia!
33:44Luca stared at Antonio
33:46as if he didn't recognize him.
33:50Antonio,
33:51you still haven't told them the truth.
33:53Don of the Corfioni family.
33:55Mr. Rossif Borgia
33:57is the most powerful Don in Corvina.
33:58Years ago,
33:59when the five families
34:00rebuild our power
34:01here in Norham City,
34:02it was only possible
34:03because he backed us
34:04and shielded us.
34:06Vito said slowly,
34:07his voice carrying clearly
34:08through the silent hall.
34:10If he so much as lifts a finger,
34:12he can erase an entire family
34:13from Norham City overnight.
34:15Luca snapped his head
34:16toward Antonio,
34:18his eyes filled with
34:19frantic desperation
34:19for an answer.
34:21Antonio pressed his lips
34:22into a tight line
34:23and gave a stiff,
34:24reluctant nod.
34:25That can't be true.
34:28Luca said,
34:29stumbling back a step.
34:30If it is,
34:31why have I never
34:32heard about it before?
34:33Vito let out
34:34a humorless laugh.
34:35That secret is known
34:36only to the heads
34:37of the families.
34:38You haven't even
34:39officially taken over yet.
34:40What makes you think
34:42you had the right
34:42to hear it
34:43before this incident?
34:45As soon as Vito
34:47finished speaking,
34:48the entire hall
34:49fell into silence.
34:50I was about to speak
34:51when my phone
34:52vibrated inside my bag.
34:53It was an encrypted message.
34:55The sender field
34:56showed an internal code
34:57from the Corleone family.
34:59Miss Borgia,
35:00tomorrow night
35:01at the Norham Chamber
35:02of Commerce Annual Gala,
35:03the Lopez family's
35:04collateral branch
35:05and Elena Lopez
35:06will both be attending.
35:08If you wish,
35:09you may collect
35:09some interest there first.
35:10I turned the phone screen
35:12toward my father.
35:13He glanced at it
35:14and the corner of his mouth
35:15lifted slightly.
35:17Elena Lopez,
35:18father murmured the name,
35:19Sofia's mother.
35:21She's been pulling strings
35:22behind the scenes
35:23quite a bit.
35:24I know.
35:25I said,
35:26putting the phone away,
35:27the golden custom gown
35:28Sofia wore at the auction
35:29was ordered by Elena
35:31from Milan
35:31a month in advance.
35:33Mother and daughter,
35:34one plays the good cop,
35:35one plays the bad.
35:37They've been running
35:38rampants in Norham
35:39for years.
35:39Father looked at me
35:40without saying a word,
35:41but his eyes were clear.
35:42It's your decision.
35:44I'll go.
35:46But only after
35:47we settle matters here first.
35:50The evening after
35:51the five great families
35:52meeting ended
35:53at the Imperial Banquet Hall,
35:55the crystal chandeliers
35:56lit up the entire hall
35:57as brightly as daylight.
35:59Not only were
35:59the collateral representatives
36:00of the five great families
36:02present,
36:03but also dozens of heads
36:04of mid-tier families.
36:06They usually couldn't
36:07even get close
36:08to the core meetings
36:09of the five families.
36:10but tonight,
36:11everyone wanted
36:11to fish for benefits
36:13amid the toasts
36:14and deals.
36:14I wore a dark wine
36:16red velvet gown.
36:17The long sleeves
36:17concealed the bandages
36:19on my right hand.
36:20On my left ear,
36:21I wore a single
36:22pigeon blood ruby earring
36:23gifted by my father,
36:24only one.
36:25This was an old
36:26Borgia family tradition.
36:28When a daughter
36:29has been provoked
36:30but has not yet
36:31fully avenged herself,
36:32she wears only
36:33a single earring.
36:34The moment I stepped
36:36into the hall,
36:37I felt countless gazes
36:38stabbing into me
36:39like needles.
36:39Is that the Borgia
36:41family's eldest daughter?
36:43I heard the Marino
36:44family heir
36:45was expelled
36:46because of her.
36:47Shh!
36:49Lower your voice.
36:51The Lopez family
36:52people are here
36:53tonight too.
36:54I walked straight ahead
36:55without looking sideways
36:56and headed directly
36:57for the main table.
36:58Seven people were already
37:00seated at the main table.
37:01The center seat was empty.
37:03Beside it sat a middle-aged
37:04woman in a deep purple gown,
37:06Elena Lopez.
37:07She looked 70% like Sophia
37:09but more cunning
37:10and gloomier.
37:11She was twirling a glass
37:12of red wine in her hand.
37:14When she saw me approaching,
37:15she didn't even bother
37:16to stand up.
37:17She drawled,
37:18looking me up and down.
37:20So you're the little bitch
37:22who got my daughter
37:23kicked out of Northam.
37:26The entire table
37:27fell silent.
37:28I didn't sit down.
37:30Instead,
37:30I looked down at her
37:31from above.
37:32Your daughter brought it
37:33upon herself.
37:34I simply didn't stop her.
37:36Elena's face
37:37instantly flushed red.
37:38She shot to her feet
37:40and slammed her wine glass
37:41onto the table,
37:42splashing wine everywhere.
37:43Don't get cocky!
37:45Borgia!
37:46I don't care who you are!
37:48In Norak,
37:49the Lopez family
37:50has the Marino family
37:51behind us.
37:53Well,
37:53not anymore.
37:54But mark my words,
37:56whatever my daughter lost,
37:58I will take back
37:59tenfold for her.
38:00She deliberately
38:00raised her voice
38:01so that the surrounding
38:02tables could hear.
38:03Several merchants
38:04who did business
38:05with the Lopez family
38:06immediately chimed in.
38:08Exactly.
38:09Some outsider family?
38:11What right do they have
38:12to sit at the main table?
38:14Even if the Marinos
38:14aren't pursuing this,
38:16it doesn't mean
38:16Mrs. Lopez is easy
38:18to bully.
38:18Little girl,
38:19apologize while things
38:21haven't blown up yet.
38:22I smiled slowly.
38:24Apologize.
38:25I repeated,
38:26then glanced at the two
38:27bodyguards standing
38:28behind Elena.
38:29When your daughter
38:29crushed my fingers
38:31under her heel,
38:33did she ever apologize?
38:35Elena's lips twitched,
38:36but she quickly
38:37regained her vicious expression.
38:38You deserved it.
38:40Seducting someone else's
38:41fiancee,
38:42crushing your fingers
38:43was going easy on you.
38:45I didn't argue with her.
38:46I simply took out
38:47my phone from my handbag,
38:49played a recording,
38:50and turned the volume
38:51to maximum.
38:53Antonio's voice rang out
38:54clearly in the quiet hell.
38:56My son was too reckless.
38:58This marriage
38:59was us reaching
39:00above our station.
39:02I only beg you
39:03to spare his life.
39:05The recording ended.
39:06The hall was deathly silent.
39:08Elena's hands
39:09began to tremble.
39:10Merchants beside her
39:11quietly shifted their chairs
39:13half a step back.
39:14It's fake!
39:16You forged it!
39:17I put away my phone
39:18and looked down at her,
39:19my voice calm
39:20but loud enough
39:21for the first three rows
39:22to hear clearly.
39:23Mrs. Lopez,
39:24your daughter once said
39:25something at the auction.
39:26In here,
39:27I make the rules.
39:28I raised my bandaged
39:30right hand
39:30and gently tapped
39:31above the wrappings.
39:32Now,
39:33I'd like to return the favor
39:34with a message of my own.
39:36Your daughter
39:37and the Merino family
39:38in front of me,
39:39they don't even
39:40qualify as rules.
39:42Elena's face
39:42went from red to white
39:43then to a sickly green.
39:45She suddenly grabbed
39:46the wine glass
39:46in front of her
39:47and hurled its contents at me.
39:48Red wine flew straight
39:50toward my face.
39:50I didn't dodge.
39:51The wine slashed
39:52across my face,
39:53hair and wine red gown
39:54almost blending in.
39:56Only a few drops
39:57slid down my chin
39:58and fell onto the marble floor.
40:00The entire hall gasped.
40:02Elena stood holding
40:03the empty glass,
40:05chest heaving violently,
40:06her eyes filled
40:07with mad triumph.
40:09You whore!
40:11That's what you get
40:12for being arrogant!
40:14I slowly raised my hand
40:15and wiped the wine
40:16from my face.
40:18Then I smiled.
40:20Mrs. Lopez,
40:21do you know
40:22what you just did?
40:23I took one step forward.
40:24My voice wasn't loud,
40:25but it pierced
40:26every ear like a nail.
40:27You just attacked
40:28the sole heir
40:29of the Borga family
40:30in front of more than
40:3130 family representatives.
40:33Everything that happened tonight,
40:35I will report it
40:36to my father
40:37in full detail.
40:38Elena's wine glass
40:39slipped from her hand
40:40and shattered on the floor.
40:43You, you're laughing.
40:45I didn't answer her.
40:47I turned around
40:47to face the entire
40:48banquet hall,
40:49my voice clear and calm.
40:51From tonight onward,
40:52any family that does business
40:54with the Lopez family
40:55will automatically be considered
40:57unfriendly to the Borga family.
40:59Gasps rippled
41:00across the hall.
41:01Elena's face
41:02turned completely white.
41:05You wouldn't dare!
41:07She screamed,
41:08but her voice
41:09had already lost
41:10all confidence.
41:11I gave her one last look,
41:13then turned
41:13and walked toward the exit.
41:15Behind me came
41:16Elena's hysterical shriek.
41:18Stop that bitch!
41:19But no one moved.
41:21The allies,
41:22she thought she had all
41:23lowered their heads
41:23like frostbitten eggplants.
41:25As I walked out the main door,
41:27Vito Corleone
41:28was already standing
41:29by the entrance.
41:30He held a glass of whiskey
41:31and gave me a slight nod.
41:33Miss Borgia,
41:35you're even more ruthless
41:36than your father was
41:37at your age.
41:38Vito paused,
41:39his lips curving
41:40into a soft,
41:41genuine smile
41:41as he looked at her.
41:42And I'm liking you
41:43more and more,
41:45my lovely lady.
41:46I glanced sideways at him.
41:48Don Correano,
41:49did you already know
41:51this would happen tonight?
41:52He smiled without answering,
41:54simply raising his glass.
41:56Welcome to the real Norton.
41:57I didn't clink glasses with him.
41:59I walked straight to the elevator.
42:02The moment the elevator doors closed,
42:04I let out a soft breath.
42:05My right hand hurt badly,
42:07but my heart felt incredibly satisfied.
42:10I walked forward slowly,
42:12the fingers beneath my velvet glove
42:14still throbbing with a dull ache.
42:16I've changed my mind.
42:17After what I just heard from Luca,
42:20I'm very disappointed.
42:21He doesn't look guilty at all.
42:24Antonio,
42:24is this the apology
42:26the Marino family is giving me?
42:27Every pair of eyes
42:28turned to Antonio.
42:30The man who usually ruled the room
42:32now looked pale.
42:33He drew in a deep breath,
42:34and at that moment,
42:35he seemed to age a decade.
42:37From this moment on,
42:39Luca is no longer my son.
42:41He is no longer heir
42:42to the Marino family.
42:43He is officially stripped of his name
42:45and cut off from all family assets.
42:49Dad, you can't do this to me.
42:51I'm your son.
42:53Luca shouted,
42:53his eyes full of despair and disbelief.
42:55No!
42:56That's impossible!
42:58How could she have that kind of power?
43:00Why didn't anyone tell us earlier?
43:02This has to be fake!
43:04You're all being fooled!
43:06Sofia's shriek cut through the hall
43:08like broken glass.
43:10One of Vito's men
43:11stepped out of the crowd
43:12and slapped her across the face
43:13several times
43:14until she finally shut up.
43:16That's enough!
43:17Luca suddenly snarled.
43:18He wrenched himself free
43:20from the men restraining him
43:21and threw himself
43:22in front of Sofia.
43:23This has nothing to do with Sofia.
43:25I was a blind fool.
43:27I'm the one who offended Miss Borjan.
43:30This is my fault.
43:32If you want revenge,
43:34take it out on me.
43:36and let Sofia go.
43:38Sofia leaned against his chest,
43:39her eyes glistening with tears.
43:42Luca,
43:42I knew you were the only one
43:44who really cared about me.
43:46The scene was almost touching
43:47in a tragic, ridiculous way.
43:49I couldn't help but lift my hands
43:51and give them a soft, slow clap.
43:53How touching.
43:54Since you're so devoted to each other,
43:57I'll let you go.
43:58under everyone's stunned gaze,
43:59I went on,
44:00you can leave with her now.
44:02In the name of the Borgia family,
44:04I give you my word.
44:06No one will stop you.
44:09Luca stared at me in disbelief
44:11while a spark of hope
44:12lit Sofia's eyes.
44:13From this moment on,
44:15you have no connection
44:16to the Marino family.
44:17You walk away with nothing.
44:19Luca clenched his jaw,
44:20then bent to help Sofia
44:21steady herself.
44:22We're leaving.
44:24Everyone watched them
44:25limp out of the hall
44:25while leaning on each other.
44:27My father asked in a low voice,
44:29Are you really gonna let them
44:30walk away like that?
44:31I smiled.
44:32You'll see soon enough.
44:34Three months later,
44:35a headline shook
44:35the entire upper circle
44:37of Norum City.
44:38Former Marino heir,
44:39Luca Marino,
44:40killed his girlfriend,
44:41Sofia Lopez,
44:41in a run-down motel,
44:43then tried to take his own life.
44:44He was now in police custody.
44:46Word had it that
44:47after losing his status,
44:49Luca was penniless
44:50and took Sofia to live with him
44:52in a shabby motel
44:53on the edge of the slums.
44:56Having grown up pampered
44:58and overindulged,
44:59neither of them could tolerate
45:00the hardships of an ordinary life.
45:02Sofia complained every day.
45:04She called Luca useless
45:06and blamed him for dragging her
45:07from the clouds into the mud.
45:09She could no longer afford
45:10designer clothes or fancy goods.
45:12Even a proper dinner
45:13had become a luxury.
45:15Three days before the murder,
45:16someone had spotted Sofia
45:18in an upscale restaurant,
45:20linking arms
45:20with a middle-aged businessman.
45:22After that,
45:23she stopped going back
45:24to the motel at night.
45:25When she did show up,
45:27her attitude toward Luca was cold.
45:29On the night of the incident,
45:30neighbors heard them shouting
45:32through the thin walls.
45:33You think you're still
45:34the heir of the Marino family?
45:36You can't even buy me
45:37a new lipstick!
45:38I gave up everything for you!
45:40Luca roared back.
45:41If I'd known you were so useless,
45:43I never would have left with you!
45:46Then came the sound
45:46of things being smashed.
45:48After that was an eerie,
45:49heavy silence.
45:51The next morning,
45:52the cleaning staff
45:53opened the door
45:54and almost fainted.
45:55Sofia was lying
45:56in a pool of blood,
45:57having been stabbed
45:58over and over.
45:59Luca was on the floor
46:00beside her
46:01with his wrists slashed,
46:02barely alive.
46:03I heard the news
46:04while I was at home
46:05sitting at my piano.
46:07Although my fingers
46:08hadn't fully healed,
46:09I could already play
46:10a few simple pieces.
46:12Just then,
46:13my father walked in
46:14and placed a folded newspaper
46:15on the piano.
46:17You saw this coming,
46:19didn't you?
46:20I took my hands
46:21off the piano
46:21and glanced
46:22at the newspaper's front page.
46:24It showed Luca
46:25being shoved
46:25into a police car.
46:27Sofia never loved Luca.
46:29What she loved
46:30was his status
46:30and his money.
46:32Once he lost those,
46:33her betrayal
46:34was just a matter of time.
46:36As for Luca,
46:37I went on,
46:38letting my fingers
46:39drift lightly
46:40over the keys.
46:41He was born into wealth.
46:44He was never going
46:45to survive
46:45losing everything,
46:47especially after
46:48the woman he loved
46:49cheated on him.
46:51My father studied me
46:53for a long moment.
46:54You gave them
46:54the cruelest punishment.
46:56I shook my head.
46:58No,
46:58they chose
46:59their punishment.
47:00I just handed
47:01them the knife.
47:02Sunlight poured
47:03through the windows
47:04warm and bright.
47:05Their tragedy
47:06had no effect on me.
47:07In our world,
47:08the strong
47:08preyed on the weak.
47:10Mercy toward an enemy
47:11only ever led
47:12to destruction.
47:13Luca and Sofia's ending
47:14only proved that truth
47:15once again.
47:16They were nothing more
47:17than stepping stones
47:18on my way
47:19to the top seat
47:19in Corvina's mafia world.
47:22The sunlight
47:23was beautiful,
47:24but my hand
47:25still throbbed
47:26with dull pain.
47:27The doctor said
47:28the nerves
47:28had been damaged.
47:29Even after recovery,
47:31it would never
47:31be as flexible
47:32as before.
47:33I might never
47:34be able to play
47:35those difficult
47:35pieces again.
47:36I sat in front
47:37of the piano,
47:38placed my right hand
47:39on the keys,
47:40and gently pressed
47:41a single note.
47:42A clean,
47:43lonely sound rang out.
47:44The door
47:45was pushed open.
47:46Father walked in.
47:47He was wearing
47:47a deep gray suit.
47:48His tie knotted perfectly.
47:50Sofia's funeral
47:51is at 2 o'clock
47:52this afternoon.
47:53Are you going?
47:54I thought for a long time
47:56so long that father
47:57thought I wouldn't answer.
47:58Yes.
47:59Father nodded,
48:00turned to leave,
48:01then stopped.
48:02Isa,
48:03this isn't your fault.
48:04I didn't speak.
48:05Only after he walked out
48:07did I whisper
48:07to the empty room.
48:09I know.
48:09But what I knew
48:10wasn't just that.
48:11I knew Sofia would die.
48:13From the moment
48:13she crushed my fingers
48:14under her heel,
48:15from the moment
48:16she answered
48:17my father's call,
48:18she was already dead.
48:19I simply didn't stop it.
48:21I didn't stop it
48:22because I didn't want to.
48:24This thought was like
48:25a thorn lodged
48:26in a corner of my heart.
48:27It didn't hurt,
48:28but it was always there.
48:31The church was small,
48:32so small that
48:33even from the last row
48:34you could clearly see
48:35the white flowers
48:36on the coffin.
48:37Not many people came.
48:39Sofia's parents
48:39sat in the front row.
48:41Her mother was crying
48:42so hard
48:43she couldn't sit straight,
48:44while her father
48:44sat rigidly
48:45like a stone statue.
48:47Luca didn't come.
48:48He was in the hospital
48:49with more than
48:49a dozen stitches
48:50on his wrist
48:51under police guard.
48:52They said he wasn't
48:53in danger of dying,
48:54but his mental state
48:55was very poor.
48:57I stood at the very back,
48:59leaning against the wall.
49:00Father didn't come inside.
49:01He waited for me
49:02in the car.
49:03While the priest
49:04was reading the eulogy,
49:05Sofia's mother
49:06suddenly stood up
49:07and staggered toward me.
49:09Everyone was watching.
49:10She stopped
49:11in front of me.
49:12Her tears
49:13had ruined her makeup,
49:14leaving streaks
49:15down her face.
49:15Are you satisfied now?
49:18Her voice was hoarse,
49:19like sandpaper
49:20scraping glass.
49:21I said nothing.
49:23My daughter is dead,
49:25and you still
49:26come to her funeral.
49:27She grabbed
49:28the sleeve of my coat,
49:29nails digging
49:29into the fabric.
49:30Are you here
49:31to watch the show?
49:33Her husband rushed over
49:34and pulled her away
49:35from me.
49:35He glanced at me.
49:36That look contained
49:37hatred, fear,
49:39and deep exhaustion.
49:41I'm sorry.
49:42She didn't mean it.
49:43I nodded,
49:44then turned
49:44and walked out
49:45of the church.
49:45The sunlight
49:46was blinding.
49:47I stood at the entrance
49:48for a while,
49:49taking a deep breath.
49:51Father got out
49:51of the car
49:52and stood beside me.
49:53Let's go.
49:54I got into the car,
49:55leaned back in the seat
49:56and closed my eyes.
49:57Outside the window,
49:58the church bells
49:59rang twice.
50:00Two o'clock
50:01and one minute.
50:02Sofia Lopez,
50:0322 years old.
50:04A short life,
50:05an ugly death.
50:06I silently recited
50:07these words in my heart,
50:08then opened my eyes.
50:10There was still
50:10a long road ahead.
50:13three months later,
50:14Luca's case
50:15went to trial.
50:16I didn't go.
50:18Father sent a lawyer
50:19to observe
50:20who came back
50:21and reported the result.
50:22Luca Marino
50:23was sentenced
50:24to 12 years
50:25in prison
50:25for manslaughter.
50:26The wound
50:27on his wrist
50:28left a permanent scar.
50:29The psychological
50:30evaluation stated
50:32he had severe depression
50:33and post-traumatic
50:34stress disorder.
50:35The lawyer said
50:37Luca didn't speak
50:38a single word
50:38throughout the entire trial.
50:41When the judge
50:41asked if he pleaded guilty,
50:43he simply nodded.
50:44The lawyer also said
50:45that Antonio Marino
50:46sat in the gallery,
50:48his hair completely white.
50:51When the sentence
50:52was announced,
50:53he didn't cry.
50:54He just closed his eyes
50:56and didn't open them
50:56for a long time.
51:00Later,
51:01at a gathering,
51:01Vito Corleone told me,
51:03Antonio is finished.
51:06He saved his son's life,
51:08but the Marino family
51:09is done for.
51:09I held my wine glass
51:11and said nothing.
51:12You know,
51:13in Luca's first week
51:14in prison,
51:15someone asked
51:16if he wanted
51:16to see a lawyer.
51:17He said no.
51:19Someone asked
51:20if he wanted
51:20to see his father.
51:21He stayed silent.
51:23Finally,
51:24the person asked,
51:25who do you want to see?
51:27He said he wanted
51:28to see you.
51:29My hand froze.
51:31He found out
51:31you stay at the manor
51:32every day
51:33and wanted to ask
51:34if you could visit him.
51:36Vito looked at me.
51:37You won't go,
51:38right?
51:39I put down
51:40the wine glass
51:41and stood up.
51:42No.
51:44Some people
51:45once missed
51:46are missed forever.
51:50Half a year later,
51:51my fingers had recovered
51:52most of their function.
51:54The doctor called it
51:55a miracle,
51:56saying my recovery speed
51:57far exceeded
51:58his expectations.
51:59I knew it wasn't
52:00a miracle.
52:01For the past six months,
52:03I had done three hours
52:04of rehabilitation training
52:05every day.
52:07Even when the pain
52:08made me sweat,
52:09I didn't stop.
52:10Father would sit beside me,
52:12saying nothing,
52:13only handing me a towel.
52:15Can you play
52:15the piano yet?
52:16I tried.
52:20I placed my right hand
52:22on the keys
52:22and ran through a scale.
52:24It was slow and clumsy,
52:25but every note came out.
52:27Soon.
52:28Father didn't smile
52:29but his eyes brightened.
52:30That night I sat alone
52:32in the piano room
52:32and played a very simple piece
52:34Debussy's Claire de Lune.
52:36My left hand carried
52:37the main melody,
52:38while my right hand
52:39only added a few
52:40occasional notes.
52:41I closed my eyes
52:43and imagined myself
52:44standing on stage,
52:45spotlights shining on my face,
52:47the audience packed below.
52:49That feeling was still there.
52:51The desire to stand
52:52at the very top
52:53was still there.
52:54Sophia was dead.
52:56Luca was in prison.
52:58The Marino family
52:59had fallen.
53:00But they were not
53:01my destination.
53:02They were just
53:03stones on the road.
53:04I stepped over them,
53:05got a little mud
53:06on my shoes
53:07and wiped it off.
53:11One year later,
53:12the power structure
53:13in Norum
53:14had completely changed.
53:15The Marino family
53:17had been squeezed
53:17out of the five
53:18great families.
53:20The Corleone family
53:21had taken the top seat.
53:23and I,
53:24Issa Borgia,
53:25was no longer
53:26just Don Borgia's daughter.
53:28I began taking over
53:29the family's businesses.
53:31Not all at once,
53:33but gradually,
53:34father handed them
53:34to me piece by piece.
53:36First,
53:37a few small casinos.
53:39Then a port.
53:41Then control of the entire
53:43northern district
53:44of Corvina.
53:44Every time he transferred power,
53:47father stood behind me
53:48without speaking
53:49but always present.
53:51Once,
53:51when Vito was drunk,
53:53he put his arm
53:54around my shoulder
53:55and said to the whole table,
53:57This little girl
53:58is even more ruthless
54:00than her father.
54:02I smiled
54:03and removed his hand
54:04from my shoulder.
54:05It wasn't because
54:06I was ruthless.
54:08It was because
54:09I had no way back.
54:10I was the only daughter
54:12of the Borgia family.
54:14This entire empire
54:15would eventually be mine.
54:18The power structure
54:19in Norum
54:20had finally settled
54:21and life seemed
54:22to have returned
54:23to a certain calm.
54:24Every week,
54:25I would spend
54:25three afternoons
54:26in the piano room.
54:28Sunlight poured in
54:29through the floor-to-ceiling windows,
54:30illuminating the black
54:31and white keys
54:32and my right hand,
54:33the hand that had
54:34nearly been destroyed.
54:36Footsteps stopped
54:37at the doorway.
54:38I didn't turn around
54:39but my fingers paused
54:40on the keys for a moment.
54:42Your piano skills
54:43are much better
54:44than your acting.
54:45His voice came
54:46from the doorway,
54:47slightly hoarse,
54:48carrying a lazy smile.
54:50I turned my head.
54:51Vito stood leaning
54:52against the doorframe.
54:54Instead of his usual
54:55signature dark suit,
54:56he wore a charcoal
54:57gray thin sweater
54:58with the sleeves
54:59rolled up to his forearms.
55:01He was holding
55:02a long slender
55:02black box in his hands.
55:04Don Corione,
55:05has no one ever taught you
55:06to knock before entering?
55:08Has no one ever taught you
55:09not to be so cold
55:10toward a guest
55:11who came from afar.
55:13He walked in.
55:15His leather shoes
55:16stepped lightly
55:17yet heavily
55:17on the wooden floor
55:18with every step.
55:21Isis,
55:22for the past year,
55:23I've been looking
55:24for the right moment.
55:25He paused,
55:26the corner of his mouth
55:27lifting in a self-mocking smile.
55:29But I realize
55:30that with you,
55:31there will never
55:32be a right moment.
55:33He opened the black box.
55:35Inside was a necklace.
55:36It was an exact match
55:38to my single earring.
55:39Your father told me
55:40about this
55:41Borga family tradition.
55:42His voice grew lower.
55:44When a daughter
55:44has been provoked,
55:45but has not yet
55:46fully taken revenge,
55:47she wears only one earring.
55:50Once revenge is complete,
55:52she wears the other.
55:53I stared at the gemstone,
55:54but didn't reach out.
55:56So?
55:57Vito took a deep breath.
55:58In this moment,
55:59one of the most powerful men
56:01in Norum
56:02looked like someone
56:03standing on the edge
56:04of a cliff.
56:04So I wanted to ask,
56:06if one day you decide
56:08to wear the other earring,
56:09could that spot
56:11be left for me?
56:13Silence.
56:14The only sound
56:15in the piano room
56:16was the occasional
56:17chirping of birds
56:18outside the window.
56:19My heartbeat
56:20was slow and steady.
56:22Do you know
56:23what you're saying?
56:24I know very clearly.
56:26Isa,
56:26I don't need a woman
56:28who stands behind me,
56:29and you're not
56:29that kind of woman anyway.
56:31The Corcioni family
56:32and the Borja family
56:33don't need to swallow
56:34each other.
56:34But I'm willing,
56:36for a lifetime,
56:38to stand in the place
56:39closest to you.
56:40The sunlight outside
56:41the window grew brighter,
56:43falling on his face
56:44and illuminating details
56:45I had never noticed before.
56:47There was a tiny mole
56:48at the corner of his eye,
56:49a faint scar
56:51on his left eyebrow.
56:52The fingers holding
56:53the necklace
56:54were long and strong,
56:55yet they were trembling
56:56slightly right now.
56:58This man,
56:59who didn't even blink
57:00during the five
57:01great family summit,
57:02was trembling.
57:05Suddenly,
57:05I felt the urge
57:06to smile.
57:08It's okay.
57:10I told you,
57:11I can wait.
57:13I didn't say
57:13I wouldn't accept it.
57:14My fingers still rested
57:16on the edge of the box,
57:17but I need to think about it.
57:19How long?
57:21Maybe a year?
57:22Maybe two?
57:24Maybe after I finish thinking,
57:26I'll return this box
57:27to you completely untouched.
57:29Then I'll wait.
57:30He turned and walked
57:31toward the door.
57:32At the doorway,
57:33he stopped without
57:34turning back.
57:35By the way,
57:36what piece were you
57:37playing just now?
57:38Debossi's Claire de Lune.
57:40Next time,
57:41if I hear you stop
57:42playing this piece again,
57:47consider that your answer.
57:49How long will happen?
57:51How long will the
57:51Have you ever
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