Chapter 20 20 " You must create an empire like mine to prove yourself to me . " That was my grandfather's condition . Don Fredrinn didn't raise his voice or lift a brow . He said it like a simple truth , as if becoming a mafia king was as easy as breathing . I turned sharply to protest . " Grandfather , that's- " But Lothario stopped me . He didn't flinch . He didn't hesitate . " I accept . " I stared at him in disbelief . Lothario ... he wasn't mafia . He built his empire from the ground up as a businessman , not a killer . He had nothing to do with this dark world until me . " You don't have to do this , " I whispered to him when we were alone . He just smiled, guiding me gently to the balcony seat as he always did after my walking therapy . It had been months now . And he never missed a single day . Even as the shadows under his eyes deepened and his shoulders carried more weight , he stayed beside me . Always smiling . Always holding my hand through the fire . " You don't need to worry about me , babe , " he said , resting beside me . " I became a billionaire from scratch , remember ? Becoming a mafia lord is just .... another climb . " I looked at him , my heart clenching . He made it sound so easy , but I knew he was burning himself out for me . I reached out and took his hand . He squeezed mine in return . " Trust me . As long as you're here , I can do anything ." My chest tightened . I couldn't hold it in anymore . I threw my arms around him and whispered . through tears , " When this revenge is over ... let's get married ." Dading I Remember 1/4 41.0 % 7:12 Mon , Sep 15 He froze - then laughed softly , hugging me back tighter than ever . That was the start of our empire . Lothario rose through the North like wildfire . He didn't just create a mafia family - he built a legacy . A rising power that earned its rank in record time . And while Don Fredrinn did offer connections and introductions , he never lifted a hand to help him cheat . Lothario fought for everything from scratch . And I ... was no longer bound to a wheelchair . YEAR 2022 LOTHARIO'S PENTHOUSE I sat in silence , skimming police reports and medical statements . Pages of brutal truths stacked beside me - proof of my mother's death . In the mirror , a dagger stabbed into the frame reflected my face - half - lit , sharp , unreadable . Sam entered quietly . " Felicity is here . " I stood immediately . In the living room , Lothario sat across from Felicity and her husband , Vincent Kim . They looked like a power couple out of a magazine - but I knew them deeper . Felicity , my cousin . Her mother was Freya , my grandfather's sister . A proud Desmonte woman . " Grandpa already knows the truth about Auntie Vivianne ," Felicity said calmly . " But if you hadn't stopped him ... your revenge plan would've ended before it began . " I smiled faintly , settling beside Lothario , " He wants to deal with Don Matteo himself , doesn't he ? " She nodded . " After your plan succeeds . So don't get too bloodthirsty yet . " Vincent Kim crossed one leg over the other , casual . " Did you manage to get what you needed from them ? " I smirked , remembering the deception . The disguise . Lothario and Sam playing bodyguards while I pretended to be Vincent himself . Chapter 20 7:12 Mon , Sep 15 " Thanks for lending me your face , cousin - in - law . " Vincent grinned . " Anything for my wife's bloodline . " He slid an arm around Felicity's waist . She rolled her eyes . " I'm not here for chitchat , " she said , producing a sleek black envelope . " This is Grandpa's gift . It's everything we could dig up on Marian . You'll want to see this . " I opened the folder . My smile vanished . " Let's go , " I said firmly , rising . " We need to act now . " FIORE MANSION SECRET MEETING ― Disguised again , we slipped into the Fiore estate . In Rebecca's room , I told her everything . The love triangle . Don Richard and Don Matteo had both loved one woman- Marielle , Marian's mother . But Don Richard had taken it too far . His obsession had turned dangerous . I revealed the twisted truth : since February 22 , Rupert had been replaced by the son of Don Richard and Marielle . Marian ... had married her half - brother . Rebecca collapsed into her chair , stunned . " Where is my real son ? " she whispered , voice cracking . " We'll get him , " I promised . " But I need you to help me mislead the hunters . Lure them to one of Don Matteo's strongholds . " She nodded . I could see it in her eyes now - fury . The kind I knew well . SECRET LOCATION When we found Rupert ... he looked barely human . Unwashed . Shackled . Bruised . He stared at me like he was seeing a ghost . " Ivanna ... " he croaked . " No ... Aria . I'm sorry . I was a fool ." I kept my voice cold . " You believed their lies . " 3/4 42.0 % 7:12 Mon , Sep 15 " I didn't agree to marry Marian ! " he cried . " They forced it . When I refused , my father locked me away . I realized too late what they were doing . " Lothario stood behind me , arms crossed . " Don Matteo wants Marian to lift their family name through influence , " I said . " Don Richard ... he just wants to stay tied to Marielle's ghost . " It was twisted . Vile . And unforgivable . No matter how many years passed , I would never forgive the way they sacrificed me - for ambition , for delusion , for love that was never real . BACK TO THE PRESENT - MAFIA COUNCIL COURT Mr. Noir stamped the final document , and just like that- The territories of Rossi and Fiore merged under Desmonte control . Rebecca's trial would be scheduled next . As for Marian ? Gone . Vanished like a rat in smoke . Don Richard chased after her , abandoning his wife with nothing but silence . I didn't speak . I just watched it . Lothario cleared his throat beside me , lips tugged into a hopeful smile . " So ... is it time for me now ? " he asked playfully . I turned to him , lips twitching upward . Almost . Chapter 20 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!