Chapter 2

I dodged. The wine splashed all over the carpet instead.

"You bitch, how dare you dodge!"

Lola's voice shot up several octaves. That delicate face twisted with rage.

"Don't think that pretty face will get men to protect you forever. Enzo and I are getting engaged soon. I'm the future Donna of the Sorvino family!

"Now get on your knees and apologize to me. Otherwise, one word from me, and you'll disappear from the Sorvino family. I'd love to see what you can accomplish without the family backing you!"

She screeched like a lunatic, jabbing her finger at my chest over and over, practically trying to pierce through my skin.

Right then, Rico burst through the door drenched in sweat. He glanced at the wine-soaked carpet, shot me a sympathetic look, and then steeled himself to report to Lola.

"Signorina Lola, Don Felix of the Golden Triangle just called. For that arms deal, he'll only negotiate with Veda."

Rico lowered his voice and leaned closer to Lola's ear to explain, "Her situation is special. Ever since she joined the family, every deal has gone smoothly, and profits have more than doubled. Everyone calls her the 'Fortune Consigliere.'

"I know you don't like her, but for the family's interests…"

"Enough!" Lola cut him off harshly as she rolled her eyes. "Are you an idiot? What Fortune Consigliere? I see nothing but a slut in heat. You think the Sorvino family can't function without her? What a joke!"

She shot me a look full of malice. "Even this old fool is speaking up for you. What, did you sleep with him too? Will you spread your legs for anyone who throws you a bone?"

That line finally ignited the last of my patience. I looked straight at her, my voice dropping to ice. "I don't need to trade my body for anything. Just because you're dirty doesn't mean everyone else is.

"How did the boss of the Sorvino family end up with a woman like you? You throw around 'whore' and 'slut' every other sentence. Are you that scared I'll steal your man?

"Then again, I'm not surprised. I heard all those deals you tried to close fell through. They wouldn't even let you through the front door. Does someone like you really deserve to be the family's Donna?"

I didn't hold back. I was leaving anyway. Why should I put up with her?

Hearing this, Lola trembled with rage and glared at me through gritted teeth.

"So that's it! No wonder Enzo keeps praising you lately. You shameless woman, you really are trying to seduce him!"

Mystery solved. She'd pegged me as the mistress and came here specifically to teach me a lesson.

Lola stared at me like she wanted to flay me alive with her eyes. Then, she whirled around and screamed at Rico, "Did you hear that? This is your brilliant consigliere! Starting today, transfer all of Veda's deals to someone else! Send her to the club to work as a stripper!"

Rico looked horrified, like he'd just watched someone torch the vault. Sending their cash cow to strip was suicide.

He was practically begging, "Signorina Lola, those important clients only recognize Veda. If we replace her, they'll be furious…"

Lola waved him off impatiently. "Who turns down money in business? You think they'll dare complain if we replace her? Do what I said now!"

Then, she looked smugly at the envelope on the desk, a smile curling at her lips. "What's this? Your apology letter to me?

"I don't read printed garbage. Take it back and rewrite it by hand, and make it 30,000 words. You're not going home until you finish."

I let out a cold laugh and slapped the papers in front of her.

"Hate to disappoint you, but this is my resignation letter. I'm leaving the family."