Chapter 19 After Edwardo welcomed me as his daughter, my father hosted a banquet the next day. The villa turned into fire and gold, crystal lights, polished marble, long tables lined with wine, cigars, and food that smelled like war spoils. The hall was full of men in suits, women in jewels, all of them staring at me like I was some apparition that had crawled out of the grave. Father stood tall, glass in hand. "Tonight, I present to you my only daughter. My blood. My rightful heir. Annette Lombardo." The clinking of glasses echoed, but beneath it, whispers crawled like snakes. Some smiled, bowing their heads with loyalty. Others narrowed their eyes, already plotting. Rival families across Europe would hear of this before the night was over. War was brewing. I sat by my father's side, his hand heavy on mine. For the first time in my life, I felt warmth. His embrace was real. But inside me, the rage for Maisie and the Andersons burned hotter than any wine on the table. Later, he pulled me aside, his voice low, almost trembling. "I thought you were dead. I thought my enemies took you from me forever. Someone inside my circle betrayed me, gave you away as an infant." His eyes hardened, wet with grief. "I have lived with that shame every day." I touched his hand, meeting his eyes. "Then I will carry the Lombardo name with strength. No one will ever take me from you again." The next day the council came. The long table stretched like a battlefield. The council chamber reeked of tobacco and old blood. Men leaned back in leather chairs, their rings glinting, their eyes sharper than their knives. My father sat at the head, and I at his right, where every gaze in the room could measure me. The first capo sneered. "She's soft. American-raised. She can't lead men like us." Another chuckled under his breath. "A woman at this table? She won't last a season." "I'd rather take orders from her father's corpse than her tongue," one muttered, swirling his glass. "She'll be a liability. A pretty ornament, nothing more," another said. "Too weak. Too fragile. We'll all be buried if she leads us." The words crawled like vermin through the hall, each one digging under my skin. My father's jaw was iron, Vincenzo's glare cut across the table-but I didn't wait for either of them to speak. I reached for the pistol at my hip, smooth and sure. Without hesitation, I raised it, aimed not at the man who sneered the loudest, but just beside his head. The shot cracked through the council chamber, tearing a hole through the leather chair and leaving smoke curling in the silence. Every man froze. I leaned forward, my voice low, cold enough to frost glass. "Call me weak again, and the next bullet won't miss. I don't need your respect... I'll carve it into your skulls if I have to. I am Lombardo blood. I am my father's heir. And if any of you doubt that -stand now, and die." The room stayed dead still. No one moved. Vincenzo's mouth curved in the ghost of a smile, dangerous and approving. My father's hand 3/3 72.0% 11:42 am 39 39 slammed down on the table, not in anger but in triumph. "She is my daughter. My blood. My heir. Doubt her again, and you doubt me. And I promise you, there is no grave deep enough to hide from that betrayal." The men lowered their eyes, the murmurs gone. But I felt their fear, their resentment, their silence. Good. Fear was stronger than respect. And in that silence, I swore to myself, I would not only inherit this throne. I would take it, claim it with fire and lead, until even the shadows whispered my name. That night, Father showed me the Lombardo armory. Walls of weapons, blades passed through generations, guns engraved with victories, shelves of names and enemies. His voice echoed in the steel and shadows. "The Andersons are only one head of the hydra. To sit on my throne, you must crush them all." I stood tall, fingers brushing a pistol's grip. "I don't care for wealth or power. I want blood. For my daughter." He gripped my shoulders, his eyes blazing. "Then I will give you the world. But never act alone again. You are not a lone wolf. You are a Lombardo." I took a breath, steady, cold. "Then you should know... I was once the wife of Rufus Anderson. Raul and Margaret were my in-laws." His face darkened, rage spilling out like smoke. "Even fate dares mock me. I swore never to be linked to the Andersons again. But after what they did to you, after they tried to kill you and stain your name... we will burn them to the ground." News broke not long after-Maisie survived. But the baby was gone. The Anderson empire shook under whispers of betrayal and curses. Investors pulled away. Enemies circled like vultures. Father laughed bitterly. "Fate. Always fate." I felt the satisfaction like fire in my veins. But hunger followed quick. "This is only step one. They haven't even tasted what I have planned." Later, in the quiet, Father sat with me. His voice softened, his eyes heavy with memories. "You look like your mother. The woman I loved. The woman I lost." His breath trembled. "Stay here in Europe. Stay safe until the Andersons are ashes." I shook my head. My blood boiled too strong. "I won't hide. This is my fight, Father. Just watch me burn them." His tears turned into pride, sharp as steel. "Then the world will tremble. The daughter I lost is now my sword." The door opened. Vincenzo walked in, his presence like smoke before fire. Father looked at him and said, "Vincenzo will be your arm. Protect her like you protected me. Treat her as your queen." "Yes, Father." His eyes locked on mine, dark and deadly. My heartbeat kicked hard against my ribs. I hated that it did. I was supposed to be stone. But every time I looked at Vincenzo, danger didn't just surround me. It called me. Chapter 19 2/3 74.7% 11:42 am S હંક Maybe that's what being Lombardo truly meant. 11:42 am RUFUS' POV Title: After Breakup, Spoiled by Three Big Shot Brothers (English-dubbed) On the brink of her wedding, she faces heartbreak as her fiancé calls it off. However, fate takes a surprising turn at the engagement celebration when three influential brothers unveil her true identity as their long-lost sibling. Uncovering her hidden wealth, she navigates a whirlwind of emotions amidst the complexities of family ties and newfound affluence. Immerse yourself in this captivating tale of love, family bonds, and self-discovery in a backdrop of modern romance and office drama. With its blend of billionaire allure and sweet relationships, this ongoing story sets itself apart with its engaging narrative and dynamic character interactions. Discover the intriguing twists and turns that await in this unique saga, available to read at CrushReel for those craving an unforgettable literary journey.