The Mafia Queen's Gambit

Jones Hudson, Roderick's uncle, appeared at the doorway, his strikingly handsome face clouded with a terrifying scowl.

His gaze burned with anger as he looked at Roderick and Erica.

"Uncle… why are you out here?"

Roderick and Erica froze, their smug arrogance vanishing, replaced by panic and unease.

I glanced at the man who had suddenly appeared, a flicker of surprise in my eyes before I regained my composure.

I knew Roderick's uncle was a formidable figure, but I hadn't expected him to be so young.

"Roderick, is this how you treat a distinguished guest?" Jones wore a sharp, dark gray suit, his sleeves rolled up to reveal a Patek Philippe on his wrist.

His features bore a faint resemblance to Roderick's but carried the seasoned gravitas of a man well-versed in business.

He approached me and extended a hand. "Miss Saunders, I'm Jones. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I politely shook his firm, well-defined hand as he continued. "I'm a huge fan. I still remember your last hook at the national boxing championship, knocking out your opponent. The determination in your eyes on the ring always convinced me you'd win."

His sincerity and admiration softened my tense nerves. I nodded slightly. "Thank you, Jones."

Jones gestured invitingly, and we walked side by side into the hall, leaving Roderick and Erica, their faces ashen, behind us.

Erica gripped Roderick's arm tightly, her eyes brimming with resentment.

In the dining room, crystal chandeliers gleamed, and the long table overflowed with exquisite dishes.

"Erica, this foie gras is your favorite. I had the chef make it specially." Roderick's voice was tender as he served Erica, carefully cutting her food into small pieces.

Erica deliberately glanced at me, flashing a provocative smile.

Her look was like a peacock flaunting its claim, showing off Roderick's favor.

I sipped my wine, unbothered by their antics.

My phone buzzed suddenly. It was my father.

I rose slowly. "Excuse me, I need to take a call."

At the end of the corridor, I answered, dropping all emotion to report recent business matters in a professional tone.

Only at the end did I bring up the engagement. "Father, after observing Roderick, I find him deceitful and unworthy. Should we reconsider the engagement?"

As I hung up, footsteps approached from behind.

I turned to see Erica holding an ornate insulated box, her face plastered with a fake smile. "Sophia, these are Hokkaido scallops I had flown in from abroad. I heard you love seafood and planned to surprise you at dinner, but the delivery arrived late. Take a look."

I raised an eyebrow, staying silent.

Erica's feigned enthusiasm reeked of ulterior motives.

I turned to head back to the dining room, but after two steps, a cold sensation hit my back.

Erica had dumped the entire box of seafood, broth and all, over me!

Icy water dripped from my hair, scallops and sea urchins clinging to my dress, the slimy texture making me grimace.

Erica tossed the box aside, collapsed dramatically to the ground, her eyes instantly red, her voice trembling with fake tears. "Sophia, I brought you seafood out of kindness. Even if you didn't like it, you didn't have to get so angry…"

Hearing the commotion, people rushed out from the dining room.

Roderick saw Erica on the floor and me drenched, and without a second thought, he hurried to help her up.

When he looked at me, his eyes seemed to blaze with fury. "Sophia! You've been targeting Erica since you arrived. She lowered herself to please you, and you keep attacking her?"

Erica leaned into his arms, sobbing pitifully. "Don't blame Sophia. Maybe I did something to upset her."

I sneered, wiping water from my face, my gaze icy as it swept over the crowd and landed on the ceiling's upper-left corner. "Roderick, instead of accusing me, check the security camera up there. It'll show exactly who started this."

Roderick shielded Erica, his tone unwavering. "No need! I trust Erica. She never lies! Sophia, apologize!"

"Enough." Jones interrupted, stepping to my side, his gaze cold as he looked at Roderick. "Roderick, that's not your place to say."

He turned to Erica, still sniffling, his tone carrying a warning. "Erica, know when to stop. Checking the footage won't do you any favors."

Erica paled, knowing Jones wasn't someone to cross. "I'm not petty. For Roderick's sake, I'll forgive Sophia's offense this time."

Roderick quickly supported her, leading her upstairs.

Jones handed me a clean white shirt with a hint of apology. "Change into this. Don't catch a cold."

I took it and went to a guest room to rinse off.

Jones's shirt carried a faint cedar scent.

I paired it with tight jeans, leaving the collar open to reveal a hint of collarbone, my wet hair loosely tied back.

Jones caught sight of my casual look, a fleeting glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "That shirt looks great on you."

He praised me openly, then extended an invitation. "There's a nature reserve behind the villa with nice views. Want to take a walk?"

I nodded slightly.

We strolled along the river's wooden boardwalk, the evening breeze easing the earlier tension.

I gazed at the water and spoke suddenly. "When I was a kid training at a nearby base, I saw a boy fall into this river and jumped in to save him."

Jones paused, his face full of surprise. "You mean here?"

He hesitated, his tone complex. "Roderick favors Erica so much because, as a child, he got lost here, fell into the river, and she saved him."

I froze, then laughed. "What a coincidence. This river must be full of rescue stories."

Jones chuckled, teasing. "Maybe it's a river that gobbles up little boys, waiting for girls to save them."

We shared a smile, the mood lightening.

As night fell, I politely took my leave.

My assistant arrived to pick me up. In the car, I gave a stern order. "Pull the surveillance footage from near the base's river, ten years ago."

My gaze turned to the night outside, my eyes sharpening.

Erica saved Roderick there too?

The world didn't have such perfect coincidences.

Upstairs, Roderick gently applied ointment to Erica's skin.

Erica leaned into him, a smug smile curling her lips.

She didn't yet know a storm was brewing, one that would unravel all her carefully crafted lies.