Lorenzo laughed as if he had just heard the funniest joke of his life. The corner of his mouth twisted with derision.

"You played the obedient wife for years, only to find it doesn't work on me. Now you're trying the retreat-to-advance trick?"

He took a long drag from his cigar and exhaled slowly. "Sofia, are you threatening me with divorce? Be careful, or you'll burn yourself and come crawling back to me."

His eyes sharpened.

"Now, go fetch Maria's dress and that necklace. Serve her properly, and I'll pretend I didn't hear a thing," he ordered. "Otherwise… there might be a new addition to the city's riverbed."

I let out a slow breath and spoke up, my voice calm and unshakeable. "I'm not playing games, Lorenzo. I'm done. Sign the papers, and I'll disappear from your sight."

Maria suddenly teared up, her eyes filled with feigned emotion. "Don Nostra, your wife must still be upset with me. Look how hard she's trying. Maybe I should skip the banquet. You should bring her instead. It might help calm things down."

Lorenzo's expression faltered, and he struck me again.

He snatched the papers, tore them to shreds without even looking at them, and tossed the pieces at my face.

"So you're just jealous and want to go to the banquet with me?"

He let out a cold laugh and looked me up and down with open contempt. "Do you ever stop to think about who you are? Someone like you, standing beside me in public? What a joke. Bringing you to a formal event would humiliate the entire family.

"Sofia, get it through your head. Someone like you doesn't belong anywhere except in this house, serving people. Nothing more. Don't even imagine it."

"I never said I wanted to go with you. I just—"

"Basta!" he snapped, loud enough for the guards in the hall to hear. "Are you still arguing with me after being caught? I've never met a woman as pathetic as you. Did you forget how you begged to stay? How you grovelled for years? And now you want a divorce? Don't make me laugh!"

He wrapped an arm around Maria's waist. His voice turned sweet. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's find you something to wear. You're the star tonight."

He shot me one last look and said, "As for a certain someone, her only worth is to lick your shoes."

Maria leaned into him, pretending to be embarrassed. "Oh, don't say that, Don Nostra. Your wife might get hurt."

"A housekeeper should know her place," he replied with a scoff.

As they walked out, Maria glanced back. She gave me a slow, triumphant smile. She mouthed, "Don't worry, Mrs. Nostra. I'll take very good care of him."

The moment they were gone, I turned and began packing.

Five years of humiliation were finally over.

Just then, my phone rang.

"Ms. Sofia," Riccardo Alessi said when I answered. He was the Don of another powerful family, a man who valued my skill as a designer. "We still have details to finalize. I'm at the Doncretti family's ballroom. Can you meet me here?"

I set aside the clothes in my hands and replied, "I'm on my way."

After changing into a couture gown that made my identity as a designer unmistakable, I entered the chandelier-lit ballroom and immediately bumped into Lorenzo.

He had his back to me. One of his arms was around Maria as he chatted with several Consiglieri.

Just as I figured out how to slip past Lorenzo, he walked by without so much as glancing in my direction.

I looked at the dress I was wearing and smiled bitterly. He didn't recognize me at all.

Of course, he wouldn't. Why would he ever associate the timid "housekeeper" he kept at home with the radiant woman I was now?

I was about to melt into the crowd when Riccardo's voice came from behind me.

"Ms. Sofia," he called as he approached. "I've always admired your eye for design and your craftsmanship. It's a shame you wouldn't leave Velmont City for Marentia. We could've expanded our business even more."

Riccardo had approached me many times before, hoping to use my skills to strengthen his influence in Aureth.

Back then, I had refused his offer for Lorenzo's sake.

But now? The chain was already broken.

"I've changed my mind, Don Alessi," I said evenly. "I'm ready to go to Marentia. It's time Velmont City fashion reached a wider market."

He blinked in surprise, then nodded as if something finally made sense. "So you've really come around? Before this, it felt like you had obligations keeping you here."

"There were some things at home I needed to take care of," I said, not wanting to explain further. "Everything is settled now."

"Perfetto! Then I—"

A chirpy voice interrupted him. "Don Alessi! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Maria walked over to us. "I didn't think you'd be here with such a beautiful lady."

Riccardo's expression darkened instantly. The effortless authority of a Don settled over his features.

"Ms. Romano," he began. "Watch your mouth. This is Ms. Sofia, a very important friend of mine."

Maria took one look at Riccardo's expression and realized she had gone out of line. She immediately apologized to me. "It was rude of me to say that. Please forgive me, Ms. Sofia."

Then, she turned back toward Riccardo with a sugary smile. "Don Alessi, about what I mentioned last time, Don Nostra has always wanted to meet you and discuss a potential collaboration. Since everyone's here tonight, maybe—"

Lorenzo strode over with a fawning smile I had never seen on him before.

"Don Alessi, it's an honor. I heard you're looking for unique fashion pieces to tap into a new market," he said, nudging Maria forward. "Maria has a sharp eye for style. She has a few ideas she was hoping to get your guidance on."

Maria immediately put on a look of surprise. "It's such an honor to meet you, Don Alessi."

I watched with a blank expression. I'd never seen anyone overestimate themselves that boldly.

Riccardo usually came off as easygoing, but I knew better. Anyone in his position had steel beneath the surface.

Sure enough, he let out a short laugh. His eyes swept over Lorenzo and Maria with open disdain. "Did I ever say I'd guide you? Take your little girlfriend and stop embarrassing yourselves in front of me."

Maria's face flushed bright red. Her eyes filled with tears.

Lorenzo gritted his teeth. "Don Alessi, was that really necessary? Maria graduated top of her class from Velmont Academy of Arts. She genuinely admires you. Talking to her like that is beneath you."

"Why would I want her admiration?" Riccardo retorted. To him, Lorenzo was like a fly, constantly buzzing around him.

Lorenzo bristled, but Maria tugged at his sleeve. Holding back her tears, she nodded slightly.

"It's my fault. I overstepped and said something I shouldn't have. I just admire you so much… If you need someone to blame, let it be me. Please don't let something this small get between you and Don Nostra."

Riccardo could see through her act and spat coldly, "Save the performance. I've already chosen a designer. It's Ms. Sofia."