The Mafia Queen's Gambit

At the Hudson Group's thirtieth anniversary celebration, Jones scanned the crowd, his voice booming through the microphone across the hall. "Today, I officially announce—"

I sat below, my eyes lowered, my fingertips absently tracing the stem of my wine glass.

My father hadn't given me a clear answer, so everything had to proceed as planned. "The Hudson and Saunders families will soon be united in marriage!"

Applause erupted, but the banquet hall's doors were suddenly kicked open.

Over twenty thugs wielding steel pipes stormed in, led by a scar-faced man radiating menace. "Where's Roderick's fiancée? Get out here! Today, you'll taste humiliation!"

They rampaged through the hall, smashing everything in their path.

Erica screamed, hiding behind Roderick, her eyes glaring at me with blame. "This is all your fault. You've ruined the banquet."

I frowned, about to explain.

Erica rushed to Jones, tears in her eyes, and wailed. "Sophia's an underground fighter. She must have made enemies on the streets and brought these people here!"

Jones didn't buy her story, his brow only furrowing deeper.

Guests screamed and scattered as the thugs attacked. The venue's security rushed to intervene but were quickly beaten down.

I glanced at the arrogant thugs, pulled out my phone, and pressed a shortcut key.

Roderick sneered. "Stop pretending. These people are here for you. Cancel the engagement now and stop dragging us into this!"

Erica raised her chin smugly, as if she could already see me being driven out.

She opened her mouth to say more, but a chilling sound of footsteps echoed from the entrance.

The scar-faced leader's eyes lit up, thinking his backup had arrived.

Instead, a group of black-suited men armed with weapons marched in.

My assistant strode to my side and bowed respectfully. "Madam, we're sorry. We were late executing the mission."

The thug leader's grin froze. He tried to question his men but was pinned by two black-suited men, unable to move. "Who… who are you? My boss runs the West District. You dare touch me?"

My assistant gave him a cold glance, saying nothing.

Within minutes, every thug was subdued.

Over a hundred black-suited men bowed in unison, their voices resounding. "Hail the Queen!"

The banquet hall fell silent.

Some recognized the emblem on the men's collars and grew even more terrified.

Jones looked at me with shock and confusion.

Roderick and Erica's faces turned ashen. They never imagined that I, whom they'd belittled, commanded such power.

My gaze swept over them, a cold smirk curling my lips.

My assistant brought the thugs before me, and all eyes focused on me.

I rose slowly, grabbed the scar-faced leader's hair, and demanded icily.

"Who gave you the guts to crash my engagement banquet?"