The Serpent on Her Skin

The entire room fell silent. No one had expected me to be so bold. Their faces showed nothing but shock.

Lorenzo stared at me in disbelief. For a moment, helplessness flashed in his eyes.

Seeing this, Rocco hurried to his side. "Mr. Griffin, since she's so ungrateful, there's no need to accommodate her. A woman from nowhere was never worthy of being your wife in the first place. Forcing yourself to marry her will only damage your reputation."

Lorenzo agreed with him, regaining his composure.

However, he frowned again. "But all of Chicago knows I'm announcing my marriage tonight. Everyone is waiting to see my bride. If I cancel now, I'll be a laughingstock."

A smile spread across Rocco's face, a cunning glint in his eyes. "Mr. Griffin, Bianca Sterling, the daughter of the Sterling family who visited a few days ago—she is the epitome of elegance and class. With all due respect, only a woman like her is worthy of you."

"The Sterlings are new money, but they're powerful. Bianca is their only daughter. An alliance with them would be a massive boon for our family's enterprise."

Lorenzo suddenly asked, "Does she have blonde hair?"

I froze, not understanding why he would ask such a question. Did he have a preference for blondes?

Unfortunately, I was only blonde as a child. As I grew up, my hair had darkened, eventually turning a deep black like my father's.

Rocco immediately understood Lorenzo's implication. He quickly replied, "Of course, just as you remember. And she has a fondness for white dresses."

"But… will she agree to marry me?"

Lorenzo was clearly tempted. Seizing the opportunity, Rocco hastily added, "Don't worry. The moment she saw you, she felt you were very familiar, as if she had fallen in love with you long ago."

"She even came to the engagement party just for a glimpse of you. She's waiting outside right now. With just a word from you, you can continue the announcement with her and make her your bride."

Noticing the excitement on Rocco's face, I finally understood.

He'd been picking a fight with me on purpose.

Although Lorenzo was domineering and rude, he didn't seem like the type to come up with that agreement.

Moreover, I'd watched Lorenzo's expression as Rocco read the terms; he seemed blindsided by several of the clauses. I had suspected something was wrong then. It was obvious now: Rocco, the family's Consigliere, was the one pulling the strings.

He must be on Bianca's side, trying to drive a wedge between Lorenzo and me, all to put Bianca in the Donna's seat.

Realizing this, I said coldly, "Mr. Griffin, regardless, our marriage has been made public. Even if we are to cancel it, you can't just swap brides at the last minute. Don't you think that's insulting?"

"Also, I'd like to know who came up with that agreement. Could it be that your Consigliere was so against me becoming your wife that he fabricated those clauses to make things difficult for me?"

Instantly, both Lorenzo and Rocco became uneasy, exchanging a flustered glance.

Suppressing his guilt, Lorenzo replied, "An outsider like you has no right to question me, let alone my Consigliere. Spout any more nonsense, and I'll have you thrown out of Chicago."

Their reaction confirmed my suspicions.

I sighed deeply. Salvatore Griffin was brave and cunning; he had led the Griffin family out of trouble and restored their glory. How had Lorenzo not inherited a single shred of his father's wisdom?

For Salvatore's sake, I would give him one last chance. It was more than he deserved.

"Lorenzo, do you really think everything Rocco is doing is for your own good? Have you ever thought about the consequences you'll face for suddenly changing your choice of bride—"

Before I could finish, Lorenzo roared in fury, "Genevieve Thorne, I told you, you have no right to doubt Rocco. Who do you think you are? Do you think you can manipulate me just because you have my father wrapped around your finger? Let me tell you, even if you begged me now, I would never marry you."

Rocco added, "That's right! How dare an outsider like you speak to our heir like that! Men, throw her out of Chicago."

I glanced at him indifferently. "You're laying it on a bit thick. Is the mastermind planning to stay in the shadows for the main event too?"

Just as I finished speaking, a blonde woman in a white gown strode into the room.