Claire’s POV

I didn’t know who pulled me out of the ballroom that night.

The world had gone dark when I opened my eyes in the private suite of Castel Valleria—a hidden place known only to the elite... and parts of the underworld.

The scent of cognac and expensive leather greeted me. I didn’t need my vision to fully return to know who was standing there.

“Uncle,” I whispered hoarsely.

Uncle Enzo D’Amore stood in silence by the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to me, gazing out at the glittering city skyline. He looked exactly the same as the last time I saw him—commanding, sharp, and a man who never wasted words.

“You were never meant to run this far from your fate, Clairina.”

It was the first time in five years someone had called me by that name again.

“I just… I just wanted to live my own life,” I murmured, barely audible.

He turned, finally approaching me. “Unfortunately, the world never forgets your bloodline. And now, our enemies have caught your scent. Those photos and videos weren’t just meant to humiliate you... they were a trap. They want to strike at us—through you.”

My heart dropped.

“So it was all a setup. To lure the D’Amore out.”

Uncle Enzo gave a grim nod. “You’re not just an heir, Claire. You’re a symbol. And you’ve spent too long living in the shadow of a man who was never worthy to touch you.”

“Grant never knew who I really was,” I murmured, my hands curling into fists. “I promised, the last day I saw you—I would tell him. That night. I had everything ready…”

Uncle Enzo came closer. His face was stone, but his eyes held a flicker of softness.

“But he destroyed you before you could.”

---

I knew Grant had changed. I knew he had grown distant. But I thought it was just work pressure.

I didn’t know he had been secretly harboring suspicions.

I didn’t know the very hands that held up his dreams—would be the hands he severed the moment he felt tall enough to stand alone.

He still let me manage critical meetings. Still leaned on the investor network that only responded to the name I buried from him—my true name.

And now that the company stood strong on his shoulders, he shoved me off the cliff.

---

The next morning, the company’s grand anniversary celebration continued. I showed up.

Not to defend myself.

But to speak the truth.

All eyes turned to me. Including Grant’s, standing tall on the stage with Avery by his side.

“I know you’ve all seen the video,” Grant said, voice devoid of warmth. “Today, to protect our global reputation, a decision must be made.”

I met his eyes, then stepped forward. “I have something to say.”

All eyes followed me. But Grant didn’t look surprised.

As if he knew I’d come.

As if he’d already set the stage for my fall.

“The older man in those photos…” My voice cracked. “…he’s my father. And the man in that video—he’s my uncle.”

“Oh, how convenient,” Grant scoffed. “A hidden family now? Everyone knows you’re an orphan, Claire.”

I held my breath. I wanted to explain, but I knew no one would believe me.

They wouldn’t understand that what I’d hidden wasn’t shame… but a legacy dangerous enough to destroy anyone who knew the truth.

I didn’t want power, or bloodshed, or weapons.

I just wanted a peaceful life—with a simple man I thought would protect me.

My family had warned me over and over.

That Grant was never worthy of me.

My mother cried, begging me to come back.

Uncle Enzo threatened to drag me out by force.

But I chose Grant.

An ordinary man, with extraordinary dreams.

A man who once looked at me like I was his whole world.

A man who once said he would die to protect me.

I believed in him.

So I stripped myself of everything—my throne, my power, my name.

I wanted him to feel equal beside me.

To never feel small in my shadow.

But today… he looked at me like dirt beneath his shoes.

Like I wasn’t even worthy of being human.

“Grant…” My voice trembled. “I’m telling the truth.”

“Enough, Claire,” he cut me off coldly.

“From this moment on, you are nothing.

Not to this company.

Not to me.”

He pulled out a black folder from inside his suit and threw it at my feet.

Divorce papers.

That single document shattered five years of my life.

Five years of kneeling beside him just to be seen as his equal.

I clenched the papers tightly.

“Grant… one day, you’ll regret this.”

Avery let out a mocking laugh. “Oh please. Who does she think she is?”

Grant looked down at me, lips curled into a cruel smirk.

“The only thing I regret… is ever trusting a woman like you.”

Then Avery stepped forward, locking arms with him.

“Starting today, I will stand beside the CEO as his official partner,” she declared.

“This company will rise to international heights—with someone who knows how to fight from nothing.

Not someone who climbed using filthy connections.”

Applause erupted. Cheers broke out across the hall—each clap a slap across my face.

Grant and Avery raised their hands in victory.

Their smiles were blinding.

Behind them, the screen lit up with the company’s new slogan:

“Reaching Global Heights.”

I created that slogan.I wrote the proposal. I laid the foundation.

But now…

No one remembered me.

Claire’s POV

The traitor stood before me—clear as day.

The man I fought so hard for didn’t even look my way.

There he was, with his mistress, parading around like some royal couple adored by the crowd.

My fists clenched tight, but my lips stayed sealed. My chest thundered with one unwavering resolve:

The blood of a D’Amore never lets betrayal go unpunished.

Grant thought he had gotten rid of me.

He hadn’t seen who I truly was.

Cheers still echoed behind me as I walked down the hotel corridor.

The divorce papers were crushed in my hand. The world might be crumbling before my eyes, but I refused to let a single tear fall—not until I’d fully walked out of this nightmare.

But then, my steps were blocked.

“Claire.”

Paul, Grant’s personal assistant, stood in my way.

He didn’t even call me Mrs. anymore.

In his hand was another folder—thicker than the last.

His expression held not a shred of pity.

“You need to sign this before you leave.”

I glanced at the folder. “What now?”

“A legal agreement. You waive all rights to any shared assets. No compensation. No personal belongings are to be taken. Even the gown you’re wearing tonight isn’t yours. Including the wedding ring.”

“How charming,” I said flatly. “So now I’m just a trespasser in my own life?”

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” Paul hissed. “We also have a non-compete clause ready. To prevent you from abusing the connections you gained during your time with Mr. Grant.”

I let out a bitter laugh.

Paul.

I was the one who had chosen him to be Grant’s assistant. He came from nothing. I had trusted him completely—to stand by Grant’s side.

He used to call me Fairy Godmother, because I never judged anyone by status.

But now? Everything I taught him—he’d thrown it away.

My family was right.

Everyone gets a chance. But not everyone survives it.

“The connections I built?” I narrowed my eyes.

“I’m the one who brought them in—with the name I kept hidden.”

A laugh rang out behind me.

“You should be grateful. At least you’re being let go without a lawsuit.”

Avery appeared with a smile as sharp as a blade.

“Because the company could’ve dragged you into court for defamation.”

“Like the fact you transferred some of Grant’s assets into accounts under your name.”

“What?”

“Oh, hit a nerve?” Avery raised an eyebrow. “Getting defensive already?”

Before I could answer, Grant appeared. His gaze was ice-cold.

“What’s the combination to be safe?”

I frowned. “Safe?”

“Bring it out.”

Two large men hauled in a small steel box.

I recognized it. My safety.

My secret place—where I kept the past hidden to protect our future.

“You kept this from me?” Grant growled. “What else have you been hiding, Claire?”

I stepped forward, trying to take it back.

“Don’t touch it!” I shouted. “Take everything else—but not this!”

Paul grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

“You have no rights anymore.”

The safe was ripped from my hands—along with what was left of my heart.

“Open it,” Grant commanded.

“Now.”

I inhaled sharply, choking back tears and fury.

“The combination…” I said, voice shaking, “is our wedding date.”

Grant froze.

“Do you remember, Grant?” I whispered.

“You said it was the best day of your life.”

He nodded slowly, then began punching in the numbers.

Wrong.

He tried again. His hands were trembling.

Wrong.

His face changed. Jaw clenched. Avery leaned in, trying to whisper something, but Grant was spiraling.

Wrong. Again.

“You don’t remember.”

My voice was soft, wounded.

“I thought we shared that day. Turns out…”

He looked away. Couldn’t meet my eyes.

I stepped forward.

With icy fingers, I entered the numbers.

Click.

The lock disengaged. The safe creaked open.

All eyes turned to its contents.

Grant leaned in, breath caught in his throat—curiosity bleeding through his anger.

Claire’s POV

All eyes widened as Grant snatched the contents of the safe and threw them onto the table.

A stack of photos scattered across the surface. Among the glossy prints—there I was, standing beside several men dressed in black suits. Broad shoulders. Sharp stares.

To me, they were family. But to Grant...

"What the hell is this?!" he shouted.

He grabbed one photo and shoved it in my face like it was damning evidence.

They were my bodyguards. These were the last mementos I had of them, taken just before I left my past behind to stand beside Grant.

I hid them in the safe—because inside that vault, my real identity slept.

"Claire!"

Grant grabbed my shoulders and shoved me backward.

I fell hard against the edge of the table. Pain shot through every inch of my body—but what hurt more was the look of sheer disgust in his eyes.

"What kind of woman are you?!" he roared.

"I can explain!" I blurted.

"Oh, of course! Explain how you hired a private army of men to please you behind my back?! How many of them did you ‘entertain', huh?!"

His words hit harder than the table ever could. But he wasn’t finished.

At the end of the table, Avery opened a small velvet box.

"And this... is the final proof."

A blood-red gemstone necklace shimmered under the lights. In the center, a small dragon carving gleamed like fire.

My eyes widened. "Put that down! Don’t touch it!"

Avery gasped. "This... this isn’t just jewelry."

Grant stepped closer, his eyes narrowing.

"How much of my money did you steal to buy this, Claire?"

I rushed forward. "Give it back!"

Avery slapped my hand away. "This is too exquisite for someone like you."

"I love it," she purred to Grant, resting her hand on his chest. "Put it on me?"

"DON’T!" I screamed, crawling forward.

Before I could reach them, Avery kicked me aside. I collapsed onto the floor again, my knee slamming against the corner of the carpet. Blood soaked through the torn hem of my gown.

Grant—without hesitation—clasped the necklace around Avery’s neck. Right in front of me. My family’s heirloom. My bloodline’s legacy.

"Stunning," Avery sighed, satisfied.

I struggled to stand. "That necklace is mine! It’s a family heirloom!"

"Save the drama, Claire," Avery sneered, stepping closer. "Let me tell you something."

Then—her heel crushed my injured hand. Pain exploded as she pressed down, grinding her heel into my wrist.

"ARRGH!"

"Listen closely, whore..." she whispered into my ear, "This necklace belongs to a woman of class—not trash like you."

Laughter erupted. A few guests even clapped, enjoying the spectacle like it was an elite theater.

Paul stepped forward and handed a name badge to Grant.

"Claire Elisabetta D’Amore."

The room fell silent.

"D’Amore?" someone gasped. "No way..."

Grant’s face hardened. But Avery scoffed like it was some kind of joke.

"Oh, please... don’t tell me you expect us to believe you’re from that mafia family? Claire, just because your name resembles theirs doesn’t mean you can fake it."

"I don’t need you to believe me." My voice trembled. My hand throbbed. My body was covered in dirt and blood. But my eyes—my eyes burned.

"I’m the daughter of Masimon D’Amore. You know exactly what that means."

"Oh, I know," Avery smirked. "It means you used that name to get close to elite businessmen. Build phony partnerships. Ride on someone else’s legacy."

"All your contracts, all your connections—they were lies. You’re a fraud. Selling a fake crown to build a fantasy empire."

"ENOUGH!" I screamed.

But they didn’t stop. They laughed. Mocked me. Humiliated me.

"Enough?" Grant stepped closer. "Actually, I should thank you. For giving me a very good reason to throw you out."

I clenched my fists. My breaths were ragged. The wounds on my body didn’t compare to the disgrace they poured on me.

I looked at each of them. Slowly. Coldly.

"You’ve touched blood that should never be touched."

Avery laughed again. "Then curse me, Mafia Princess. I’ll wait."

Grant ordered his men to drag me out of the ballroom.

I struggled. Told them I could walk. That I would walk.

I walked—slowly—toward the exit. Each step left a trail of blood on the luxury carpet.

Before I stepped through the door, I stopped. I turned. My voice was low, steady—but it echoed across the grand hall.

"The humiliation you delivered tonight... I’ll repay it a hundredfold."

They laughed again.

But I no longer cared.

---

Outside the ballroom, a black, unmarked car pulled up. The back door opened.

A man in a black suit and dark glasses stood straight.

"Orders, Signorina D’Amore?"

I got in. Blood still dripped from my arm. But my gaze was ice.

"Cut all D’Amore ties with Vanderbilt Corporation. Terminate every contract. Freeze every fund."

"And the guests at the ballroom?"

I looked out the window.

"Send a message."

I smiled faintly.

"Hell has just opened."

The car sped away. And that night, D’Amore blood rose again.