Chapter 1 - The Silver Chain
Maribel violently tugs the decorative silver chain fastened loosely around Estelle’s collar.
Estelle is pulled from the banquet chair and falls onto both knees.
Daphne immediately catches her and helps support her trembling frame.
“That chair belongs to the woman of this house,” Maribel sneers.
Leandro is already stepping into the ballroom from the adjoining Mafia council room.
He removes the chain from his mother and helps Estelle back to her feet.
“Just let it go,” Estelle whispers, her voice shaking slightly.
“Mom doesn’t want them to hurt you,” Leandro says, his eyes filled with dark warning.
Maribel arrogantly sits herself down in Estelle’s ornate banquet chair.
She drapes the silver chain across her own lap and fixes her eyes directly on Leandro.
“Then choose who keeps the seat,” Maribel challenges with a wicked smile.
Leandro silently takes hold of one end of the chain.
He wraps the cold metal around his knuckles, his jaw clenched in absolute fury.
The entire ballroom holds its breath as the young underboss weighs his impossible options.
Daphne steps defensively in front of Estelle, her hand subtly resting on her concealed weapon.
“You have no right to demand anything in this house, Maribel,” Daphne states firmly.
Maribel simply laughs, a chilling sound that echoes off the crystal chandeliers.
“I have every right, especially since my family’s soldiers currently surround this entire estate,” Maribel reveals.
Leandro pulls the chain hard, forcing Maribel to lean forward.
“I will never marry you, and you will never replace my mother,” Leandro declares.
Maribel’s arrogant smile instantly vanishes, replaced by a look of pure malice.
She reaches into her designer handbag and pulls out a small, blinking electronic device.
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“Then it is a real shame about your mother’s new pacemaker,” Maribel whispers.
Her perfectly manicured thumb hovers dangerously over the red detonator button.
