The Don Was Only a Smoke Screen

The Zappa Famiglia gathering was held at the manor where Carlos and I lived.

All eyes were on us when we descended the stairs, hand in hand. However, there was a sudden commotion arising in the crowd, drawing everyone's attention over.

Anna had just walked in amidst the astonished gazes of the guests. The haute couture gown she wore and the sapphire ring gleaming on her ring finger were the gifts that Carlos had promised to give me for my birthday last month.

But he'd just told me yesterday that the gown and ring wouldn't be ready for pickup for a while.

But now, it turned out that it wasn't that he hadn't received them yet—rather, he'd just given them to someone else.

I released Carlos' hand.

"Can you explain why Anna is wearing my gown and my ring?"

This was the last chance I was giving him. His answer would determine everything between us.

The noise in the banquet hall gradually subsided as Carlos' face turned grim.

He shielded Anna behind him, his tone frustrated as he said, "Stop making a fuss, Sofia. Don't you know how much Anna's sacrificed and contributed to the Famiglia these past few years? This is just the reward that I gave her."

After pausing for a moment, he lowered his voice and said, "Don't you get petty and upset all over this and embarrass me in public."

Meanwhile, Anna hid behind him, her face proudly gloating victoriously. She even purposely raised her hand, letting the sapphire ring sparkle under the light.

I stared at Carlos, but he just frowned back at me as if I were a difficult child.

"A reward?"

I laughed. "You rewarded your side chick with my things? You're really such a generous person, aren't you, Carlos Zappa?"

Whispers immediately rose around us.

Carlos' face darkened further. "What are you saying? Anna is just my secretary. Don't make any false accusations against us."

Anna bit her lip as her eyes reddened. "Donna, I just… I just…"

"You just what?" I spat, interrupting her. "You just accidentally wore my dress and ring by mistake?"

I refused to look at her again and turned to the Zappa Soldati standing near the wall, commanding, "Strip her of the gown."

The Soldati exchanged glances with each other, subconsciously looking at Carlos.

But since Carlos didn't say a word, they didn't move a muscle at my order.

Carlos gripped my arm and pressed in a low voice. "Are you out of your mind? Are you trying to embarrass me in front of the entire Zappa Famiglia? You're not considerate of me at all! All you know is to cause trouble for me!"

I looked at him and suddenly found it hilariously ridiculous.

He didn't even bother maintaining his pretense with me anymore.

"Sure. Of course. Brilliant."

I shook off his grip on my arm, grabbed a glass of red wine from a passing waiter's tray, and flung its contents at Anna's dress.

Anna screamed at once as her white dress was dyed a deep wine color.

Then, I grabbed her hand, tore off the ring, and threw it into the dustbin.

Some of the guests gasped in shock, while others continued whispering among themselves.

Carlos' face turned black. "Sofia Carozza!"

"What?" I asked, turning to look at him. "Feeling sorry for her? Then go and get it back from the trash and put it back on her finger yourself."

After everything, I organized my dress layers and turned to go back upstairs, ignoring Carlos' angry roars and Anna's sobs behind me.

I went back to the master's bedroom on the second floor and shut the door. Then, I leaned against it as I called Leo and said, "Reel them in."

Leo's voice was immediately heard from the other end of the line.

"Yes, Principessa Carozza."

I then walked over to the window and looked at the chaos in the hall from above.

"Game's over, Carlos," I muttered to myself. "It's my turn now."