His Uncle's Donna, His Bitter Regret

I had afternoon tea with a friend and returned to the manor in the early evening.

As my car approached the electronic gates, I saw two familiar figures lingering outside, trying to use the biometric system.

Jeremy and Gracie. They were pacing by the entrance like a pair of stray dogs.

"Alessia!" Jeremy rushed over as soon as he saw my car. "What are you doing here?"

I rolled down the window. "Can I help you?"

He frowned, then seemed to have a realization.

"You just got back and you're already rushing to see Grandfather with me?"

"Don't worry, if you behave, I'll tell Grandfather to let you continue being my fiancée."

"Well, don't just stand there. Since you're here, give me a hand. There's something wrong with the gate system." Jeremy spoke with his usual arrogant tone. "It rejected my biometrics, and the guards won't open up. I'm Giovanni's nephew. Why don't I have access?"

"Maybe the system was updated," I said, looking at him. The truth was, Giovanni had specifically locked his access. After we got married, he had declared that he would never let that heartless man set foot in his domain again.

Jeremy glanced at the armed guards standing nearby.

"Then come over here and help me prove my identity to them!"

But as soon as he turned, Gracie spoke in a weak voice.

"Alessia, I know you don't like me, but can you at least let me go inside to rest? I really can't hold on much longer…"

I looked at her closely. Her face was indeed pale, but her eyes held a chilling, inscrutable glint.

Before Gracie could finish, her body went limp and she pitched toward me.

I instinctively sidestepped.

As the Donna, my personal safety was the top priority.

In that instant, Gracie screamed as she hit the ground, scraping her arm against the rough stone wall and drawing blood.

"Alessia!" Jeremy scrambled to help Gracie up. "What are you, crazy? Attacking a defenseless woman?"

I stared at this perpetual actress, floored by her audacity. "I didn't touch her."

"She's bleeding!" Jeremy pointed at Gracie's elbow. "You pushed her, and that's why she got hurt!"

Gracie sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm fine..." she coughed. "I was just scared. Alessia didn't mean to…"

Looking at his fragile adopted sister, Jeremy's expression turned to ice.

"Apologize," he commanded.

I raised an eyebrow.

"What did you say?"

"You dare bully the weak? Apologize. To Gracie," Jeremy bit out, each word dripping with venom.

I repeated wearily, "She fell on her own."

"Stop making excuses!" Jeremy roared. "Everyone saw it! You pushed her, that's why she fell and got hurt!"

I glanced at the armed guards standing nearby.

Sensing I was being threatened, they raised their weapons, but they were aimed at Jeremy.

Jeremy, however, was oblivious. He took a deep breath.

"Alessia, I'm saying this one last time. Apologize to Gracie! Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next!"

The armed guards were already closing in.

With my hands in my pockets, I felt no fear that he would harm me. I calmly asked, "And if I refuse?"

Jeremy sneered.

"Then you will never be my wife," he said, his words carrying a tone of finality. "And you will never set foot in this manor again."

I almost laughed out loud.

Be his wife? Set foot in the manor?

Does this arrogant fool really have no idea what's going on?

Just then, Gracie tugged on Jeremy's sleeve, her voice pleading pitifully.

"Jeremy, don't be angry. If Alessia is willing to let me drive that Aston Martin, I'll forgive her."

His anger still simmering, he soothed his adopted sister before turning back to me.

"Did you hear that? Gracie's giving you a way out. Be smart and hand over the Aston Martin."

At this, I scoffed.

"Jeremy, do you know whose manor this is?"

"Of course I do, it's the Grimaldi family's…"

A heavy cane came flying from inside the manor, striking Jeremy squarely on the back with a sharp thwack.

"You bastard!"

Don Marco, the old patriarch, emerged, his face a mask of pure rage.

"That is your Donna! How dare you give her orders?!"

Jeremy clutched his back and looked up, bewildered.

"Grandfather, what are you talking about? What Donna…"

Before he could finish, he noticed all the surrounding Soldati bow their heads in a subtle but unmistakable gesture of respect toward me.

It was a clear gesture of submission.