Chapter 22 His laugh came broken, almost unhinged, blood dripping down his chin. "You think Lombardo vill protect you? You think that ice prince will keep you safe? Wait until I remind you what we ad in bed. You'll crawl back to me." tilted my head, unbothered, then turned to Vincenzo. My smile sharpened. "I accept your narriage offer, babe. Let's get married." 'ince's eyes never left Rufus. He nodded once, deadly calm. "As you wish." ufus tried to lunge, but I didn't give him the satisfaction. Vince and I walked away, leaving his ury echoing down the suite hallway. ehind us, I heard him seethe, voice raw with obsession. "I'll get you back, Annette. You are nine." side, I laughed. He still thought I was his weakness. He didn't realize I'd already turned him intc nine. 1 the car I couldn't breathe. My chest was tight, Vince's cologne still clinging to my skin, Rufus pice echoing in my skull like a curse. I stared out the window and whispered, "I want to be alone rst, Vince." le didn't argue, didn't even press. He just opened the door, slid out, and flagged a taxi like it was othing. That was his danger-he knew when to push and when to leave me burning. sat there for a long time, my fingers trembling against the leather seat, then I told the driver to ake me home. To him. I found my father over breakfast. He was at the head of the table, igarette in one hand, coffee in the other, looking like he owned not just Europe but the whole amn world. Father," I said, steady this time. His eyes flicked up to me, sharp and curious. I don't want to hide anymore." lis brow arched. "What do you mean, piccola?" I want the world to know the truth," I said, leaning forward, my voice cold and fierce. "That I am Annette Joyce Lombardo. Your daughter. And that I was once the wife of Rufus Anderson. I want hem to choke on it. Every Anderson who ever spat on my name, every rival who whispered I was obody-I want them to see me rise. And I want Don Anderson's wealth that belongs to me. By ›lood. By right" For a moment, he was silent, his cigarette hanging between his fingers. Then a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. 'Brava," he murmured. "Finally, you speak like my daughter." That afternoon, the Lombardo lawyers moved fast, faster than I imagined. Papers were filed, press releases drafted, signatures stamped. The world didn't even have time to blink before the bombs dropped. Headlines screamed across every screen, every newspaper, every whispering mouth in Europe and New York: 3530 11:43 am "Annette Lombardo, Missing Heiress, Returns-Ex-Wife of Rufus Anderson!" I sipped my wine that evening as the villa buzzed with calls and movement. Outside, the world shook. Inside, I smiled. This was only the opening shot. MRS. ANDERSON'S POV My family was having a family dinner when the news hit like a bullet to the chest. The TV was blaring, that goddamn headline on repeat. "Annette Lombardo, Missing Heiress, Returns- Ex-Wife of Rufus Anderson!" Maisie screamed like a banshee, her glass flying across the table and shattering against the wall. "She's trying to ruin us! That witch is trying to take everything!" Rufus just sat there, jaw tight, pretending he wasn't shaking. He tried to smirk, but I saw it in his eyes. Obsession. That boy still worships her, still wants to crawl back into her shadow. Pathetic. I froze mid-bite, fork hanging in the air. My mind was already calculating. I pulled my phone out and called the lawyer right there at the table. "Tell me what happens to the Anderson wealth now." The reply came cold. "Madam, since Annette isn't dead, all assets revert to her. Legally, she is the sole beneficiary. If contested, you lose more." Paul nearly choked on his wine. "Our empire is cursed," he muttered, face gray. The phones started ringing one after another. Investors pulling out. Deals collapsing. The Anderson name turning toxic in a single night. I sat through it all with my smile frozen in place. After dinner I stormed into my study. Maisie was still sobbing behind me, shrill and useless, while Rufus smashed his glass against the wall, screaming, "She'll crawl back to me! I'll make her! She's mine, always mine!" I let him rant. Boys are weak when they're in love. Obsession makes them sloppy. I, on the other hand, am not sloppy. I picked up the secure phone, dialed a number I hadn't touched in years. A mercenary contact, someone who had cleaned my messes before. When he answered, I didn't bother with niceties. "Find Annette Lombardo. Break her. Bury her. I don't care how. I want her gone." The man chuckled low. "Consider her ghosted, madam." I poured myself a drink, staring at my reflection in the glass. "This time, no mistakes," I whispered. Then Raul slithered in, that bastard step-brother of Edwardo's blood. He leaned against the door, smirking. "If your men had handled that bitch before, we wouldn't be in this mess. Not my fault she's your step-brother's daughter. If we'd known earlier, she'd already be dead. Stupid old Anderson probably knew she was his real granddaughter all along. That's why he left the will to her." My drink tightened in my hand. Raul always knew where to stab with his words. Maisie stumbled in, eyes swollen, face wet. "Mum, what happens to me now? Rufus doesn't even look at me. He's still in love with her. Even after she changed her face, her voice, her ways... she's Chapter 22 11:43 am still Annette. I can't fight her, I can't-" She broke into sobs again. I stroked her hair, even as she disgusted me with her tears. "Don't worry, my dear. Annette will count her days. She thinks she's a queen, but she's just a pawn, and pawns get slaughtered." Inside, I thought of her eyes. The way she looked at me once, before she disappeared. Eyes that dared to challenge mine. Not this time. Not ever again. 11:43 am 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. 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