The TV cast a cold glow across the room , washing everything in flickering shades of blue and gray . I sat in the corner of the couch , back straight , sunglasses low on my nose , one boot resting on the coffee table . The voice of the news anchor slithered through the air , polished and triumphant . " In breaking news , the Fiore and Rossi families have successfully identified . the group responsible for the poisoning at the Annual Wine Consortium . Their cooperation not only cleared their name but solidified their partnership . With the arrest of several rogue distributors , the families claim this was an outside attack designed to frame them . A joint press statement is expected tomorrow . " Sam scoffed , shaking his head . " So much for making a dent . You gave the public chaos , and they spun it into a redemption arc . " He took a sip of hist wine , the red liquid catching the TV's glow like spilled blood . His eyes never left the screen . " It seems you failed . " " Ani , " I said softly - no , in Korean - slipping into the language I'd practiced for this new skin I wore . No one would recognize me now . " We're just getting started . " Lothario didn't speak . He never had to . He leaned forward , elbows on his knees , eyes on the screen like a soldier watching enemy lines . He knew me . Knew exactly what that small smirk on my lips meant . We weren't aiming to destroy reputations overnight . We were here to make the empire rot from the inside out . At the Rossi Estate Glass shattered somewhere in the back corridor , but no one flinched . The Rossi estate was built on silence , fear , and brutal decorum . " Get this filth out of my sight ! " Marian snarled , voice sharp as broken crystal . Her hand throbbed from the slap she'd just landed across the event manager's face . The man , dazed , blood pooling at the edge of his lip , cowered on the floor . " I trusted you , " she seethed . " And you let them into our space . The press , the 1/5 17.4 %% 7:04 Mon , Sep 15 b sponsors - someone leaked it to them . You know what that makes you ? " She leaned closer . " A stain . " The guards didn't wait for her to finish . " Feed him to the dogs , " she snapped . Her tone had already cooled - like she was ordering trash to be taken out . The man's screams were muffled before he even left the hallway . Chris entered moments later , face pale , hands still smelling of disinfectant . " You cleaned up fast , " he said . Marian turned , all poison gone . Her lips curved into that soft , practiced smile . " No mess too big for us , right ? " Chris exhaled deeply . " You saved us . If you hadn't stepped in and revealed the real culprit , this would've blown back on all of us . Rossi would've looked weak - hell , we nearly lost the Montelli contract . Thank you . " " It's nothing , brother , " she said sweetly , wrapping her arms around him . " We're siblings now . It's only natural to help each other . " He didn't notice how stiff her voice sounded compared to her expression . He also didn't notice how her eyes narrowed slightly behind his shoulder . Later that afternoon , the family gathered at the luxurious Penthouse 88 , preparing for their private negotiation with Korean mafia leader , Mr. Kim . The Annual Mafia Global Rankings were nearing release . If the Rossi - Fiore alliance could win Mr. Kim's support , they'd make the Top 10 this year . Marian stood at the mirror , adjusting her pearl earrings . " Chris , are you ready ? " she asked , giving him a quick once - over . Then she turned to Rupert , smoothing a wrinkle from his collar before pressing a kiss to his cheek . " We've got this . " Together , they entered the high - ceilinged conference suite . Gold accents . lined the floor - to - ceiling windows . A wine cart gleamed under warm light . Just as the unconscious manager was dragged out through the back exit , the elevator dinged . The air shifted . Mr. Kim stepped out , flanked by two silent figures - a tall man and a slender 2/5 17.9 % 7:04 Mon , Sep 15 70 woman in black , their expressions unreadable , their presence sharp and still like blades . Marian froze mid - turn . Her eyes widened for a split second before she recovered . " Mr. Kim , " she said , her tone smoothing into grace as she bowed low . " We ... weren't informed you'd arrived . Our staff failed to notify us - that's entirely our oversight . " Chris stiffened beside her , shooting a glance toward the hallway . " No one told us ," he muttered under his breath , clearly irritated . Mr. Kim said nothing . His eyes moved slowly over each of them , unreadable , before landing back on Marian . She straightened , drawing in a breath . " Please - this way , to the meeting room , " she offered , voice steady now . As they walked , she retrieved a sleek black bottle from a side cabinet , presenting it as they entered . " We hope this rare vintage might offer a small gesture of apology . It's unreleased - aged in French oak , limited to five cases only. " One of Kim's assistants took it without a word . Rupert , who had remained silent until now , stepped forward as they reached the long table . " Mr. Kim , " he said calmly , pulling out a chair for their guest . " Let's get to the point , sir . We know you're a man who values power and business . Here's what we bring to the table ." He gestured to a tablet showing recent endorsements from various respected mafia families . Mr. Kim remained unimpressed . " You've gathered some names . But I'm not sold on names alone . I'm a businessman afterall . Show me something worth betting on . " Marian smiled , stepping forward . " Actually , Mr. Kim , my husband and brother have secured mining rights recently - gold , lithium , iron . We're offering shares . And we'll need your weapons and protection in exchange . " Chris followed up quickly , laying down a map . " We also have territory to offer . One formerly held by my sister , Ivanna . She's no longer ... with us . " He sighed dramatically . " If it's for the good of the family , I know she would've approved . " Chapter 3/5 18.3 % 7:05 Mon , Sep 15 The woman behind Mr. Kim clenched her fists and secretly glared at Chris . Chris continued , his tone proud . " With Rossi - Fiore's growth in logistics , shipping , and high - end narcotics , we believe we can be more than mid - tier players . " Mr. Kim looked at the files , the wine , the digital supporter list . Still silent . Suddenly , a staff member burst in and whispered something to Rupert and Marian . They froze . Both reached for their phones at the same time . Marian scrolled . furiously . Rupert's jaw dropped . On - screen : leaked images of Rupert and Marian kissing . Dated months . before Ivanna's disappearance . " Was Ivanna Rossi betrayed by her fiancé and sister ? Shocking photos reveal affair predating scandal . " Gasps . Comment sections are already boiling . Chris stared at them in shock . " You ... ? " His voice cracked . " You two were together before- " Marian scrambled to recover . " We'll explain later , " she said quickly , turning back toward the guests . " Mr. Kim- ? " But the chairs were empty . Another staffer rushed in , flustered . " Mr. Kim called . He's on his way now . His car is five minutes out . " The room spun . If Kim hadn't arrived yet ... Chris's voice was a whisper . " Who the hell were we just talking to ? " Rupert's eyes widened . " We need to lock this place down - NOW ! " Marian stared at her phone again , face pale . People were already turning on her . Sympathy rising for Ivanna . The media was eating it alive . She screamed and hurled her phone at the wall . Outside 7:05 Mon , Sep 15 Outside : A sleek black car glided through the private exit . Inside , the " body guard " in the driver seat removed his mask - it's Sam . The man in the backseat peeled off his false face - Lothario . And I , sitting calmly in the backseat next to Lothario , pulled off the soft silicone that changed my features . I let my long black wig fall to my shoulders and wiped the concealer from my scar . I handed the stolen documents - contracts , signatures , confidential maps - to Sam . " Phase one, " I said with a small smirk . " Complete ." As our car vanished into the city , none of us noticed the glint of a scope tracking us from a rooftop far behind . A new player had entered the board . And they were watching . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!