The Cost of Playing Favorites

Dante basked in the praise, lifting his chin with arrogance.

"Don't worry. From now on, there's no negotiation I can't handle.”

"As for the family signet ring? It's just a ring with a seal on it. I left it at the bottom of my suitcase. Nothing special about it."

I sneered inwardly. When he first heard that he would represent the family in that negotiation, he went several nights without sleep.

At three in the morning, he was still on the balcony smoking, cold sweat soaking his palms. I was the one who sat at the desk until dawn.

I helped him sort through the rival family's cash flow, mapped out their power structure, and traced the money hidden in offshore accounts.

I was also the one who wrote his speech.

I even planned out which sentences he should pause after, and which moments he should apply pressure with his gaze.

I told him not to bring the family signet ring and to keep it in the safe instead, but he just laughed carelessly.

"If I don't bring the signet ring, they'll still think I'm that useless playboy who only knows how to drink and throw money around.”

"It's just a banquet. Nothing will happen."

Thinking of what Dante had said before, my gaze drifted toward the kitchen. Giulia had better not disappoint me.

Just as the others were about to continue flattering Dante, a Soldato suddenly burst in looking panicked.

"Don Santoro, we have a problem! There's trouble at the docks. The shipment we were supposed to hand over tonight has been seized by the Russo family. They're demanding we re-sign an emergency authorization agreement within half an hour! Otherwise they'll tear up the ceasefire terms..."

The air suddenly turned several degrees colder. That shipment of arms was the family's biggest deal this year.

It was also the result that Dante had just negotiated "all on his own." If something went wrong, all his glory tonight would become a joke.

Don Santoro strode over, his expression darkening. "Then we'll sign again. Bring it here."

The Soldato shook his head and said through gritted teeth, "They're demanding it must be stamped with the official family seal!"

The room erupted in chaos. Right now all the core family members were at the banquet. Where would they find the seal?

Their opponents had chosen the perfect moment.

"Wait." I stepped forward as if suddenly remembering something.

"Darling, doesn't the family signet ring have the official seal on it? Why don't you go get it?"

Relief flooded his face.

"Right, I brought the family signet ring! Papa, I'll go get it right now!"

A few minutes later, he stormed back in a fit of rage.

"Matilde! Where did you put the family signet ring? Why can't I find it?"

I blinked, opening my mouth in confusion.

"Giulia organized the jewelry today. Let me go ask her."

I found her on the terrace.

"Where did you put that black velvet ring box?" I asked urgently. "The ring inside is very important."

Triumph flashed in Giulia's eyes. "I thought the ring looked so pretty earlier, so I liked it and tried it on. Then my hand slipped and it fell down the drain and got flushed away."

I deliberately raised my voice. "Giulia, do you know how important that ring is? You actually lost it?"

Giulia burst into tears pitifully. "I'm sorry, I just liked that ring so much! I couldn't help imagining what it would look like if I wore it!"

Dante heard the crying and walked over, speaking to me impatiently.

"Matilde, do you even understand what's urgent and what's not? I told you to find the signet ring, not to take the opportunity to bully Giulia!"

I was about to speak when Giulia beat me to it.

"It's my fault. It's all because I carelessly lost Matilde's things."

Dante frowned at me.

"Giulia didn't do it on purpose. If you had taken better care of your own things, would this have even happened?"

Then he turned to her, his tone softening. "Stop crying. This isn't your fault. It's okay."

She nodded and leaned against his chest, looking at me with provocation in her eyes.

"Dante, you're the best. Not like Matilde who always makes a big deal out of nothing.”

"That ring I just flushed away was old and shabby. It even had a weird lion head pattern carved on it. You could tell right away it wasn't worth anything..."

Hearing this, Dante's expression froze on his face. "You... What did you say was carved on it?"

Giulia said with a smile, "A lion head carved on it. Honestly, it looked pretty ugly."

Dante's eyes widened in shock.

I gasped and helpfully added, "Oh my god... wasn't that the family signet ring?"