Ridiculed as Trash, Crowned at the Peak

I dodged. The wine splashed all over the carpet instead.

"You bitch, how dare you dodge!"

Valentina's voice shot up several octaves. That delicate face twisted with rage.

"Don't think that pretty face will get men to protect you forever. Marco and I are getting engaged soon. I'm the future Donna of the Castellano family!

"Now get on your knees and apologize to me. Otherwise, one word from me, and you'll disappear from the Castellano family. I'd love to see what you can accomplish without the family backing you!"

She screeched like a lunatic, jabbing her finger at my chest over and over, practically trying to pierce through my skin.

Right then, Nico burst through the door drenched in sweat. He glanced at the wine-soaked carpet, shot me a sympathetic look, and then steeled himself to report to Valentina.

"Signorina Accardi, the boss of the Silver Triangle's Lombardi family just called. For that arms deal, he'll only negotiate with Benedetta."

Nico lowered his voice and leaned closer to Valentina's ear to explain, "Her situation is special. Ever since she joined the family, every deal has gone smoothly, and profits have more than doubled. Everyone calls her the 'Fortune Consigliere.'

"I know you don't like her, but for the family's interests…"

"Enough!" Valentina cut him off harshly as she rolled her eyes. "Are you an idiot? What Fortune Consigliere? I see nothing but a slut in heat. You think the Castellano family can't function without her? What a joke!"

She shot me a look full of malice. "Even this old fool is speaking up for you. What, did you sleep with him too? Will you spread your legs for anyone who throws you a bone?"

That line finally ignited the last of my patience. I looked straight at her, my voice dropping to ice. "I don't need to trade my body for anything. Just because you're dirty doesn't mean everyone else is.

"How did the boss of the Castellano family end up with a woman like you? You throw around 'whore' and 'slut' every other sentence. Are you that scared I'll steal your man?

"Then again, I'm not surprised. I heard all those deals you tried to close fell through. They wouldn't even let you through the front door. Does someone like you really deserve to be the family's Donna?"

I didn't hold back. I was leaving anyway. Why should I put up with her?

Hearing this, Valentina trembled with rage and glared at me through gritted teeth.

"So that's it! No wonder Marco keeps praising you lately. You shameless woman, you really are trying to seduce him!"

Mystery solved. She'd pegged me as the mistress and came here specifically to teach me a lesson.

Valentina stared at me like she wanted to flay me alive with her eyes. Then, she whirled around and screamed at Nico, "Did you hear that? This is your brilliant consigliere! Starting today, transfer all of Benedetta's deals to someone else! Send her to the club to work as a stripper!"

Nico looked horrified, like he'd just watched someone torch the vault. Sending their cash cow to strip was suicide.

He was practically begging, "Signorina Accardi, those important clients only recognize Benedetta. If we replace her, they'll be furious…"

Valentina waved him off impatiently. "Who turns down money in business? You think they'll dare complain if we replace her? Do what I said now!"

Then, she looked smugly at the envelope on the desk, a smile curling at her lips. "What's this? Your apology letter to me?

"I don't read printed garbage. Take it back and rewrite it by hand, and make it 30,000 words. You're not going home until you finish."

I let out a cold laugh and slapped the papers in front of her.

"Hate to disappoint you, but this is my resignation letter. I'm leaving the family."