I turned back to him, my smile turning predatory.

"What's inappropriate? Didn't she call you 'Godfather'? By that logic, she should call me 'Godmother.' Isn't it only right for me to give my goddaughter a gift at our first meeting?"

My gaze shifted to the ashen-faced Seraphina.

"Right, Miss Seraphina?"

Seraphina's lips trembled as she forced a smile that looked more painful than a sob.

Just then, the little girl rummaged through her small backpack, pulled out a ring, and handed it to me.

"Auntie, this is for you!"

My blood ran cold. My expression instantly darkened.

It was an emerald ring with a piece of gold embedded in the center, engraved with the secret crest of the Moretti family.

It was part of the dowry my mother had left me, an heirloom passed down through generations of Moretti daughters.

It had vanished last year. I had used all my connections and even filed a police report, but couldn't find it.

So, he had stolen it to give to his bastard daughter.

The moment Dante saw the ring, his face changed dramatically.

"Elara, listen. This is a high-end replica, not the one you lost! I just liked the design, so I had a copy made for the kid to play with..."

He shot a vicious glare at Stella, his tone harsh.

"Stella, take it back! It's just a cheap copy, she won't want it!"

He reached out, intending to snatch the ring back.

But I was faster. I grabbed the ring and closed it in my fist.

"No, I like it very much."

Seeing the blood drain from both his and Seraphina's faces, I added slowly.

"The one my mother gave me is gone. It's nice to have this replica as a keepsake, isn't it?"

I pretended to examine it closely, then let out a soft laugh.

"The color of this emerald... it's a convincing imitation. It's just the workmanship, the pattern is blurry... Just as I thought. A fake is a fake. It can never pass for the real thing."

Dante's taut nerves relaxed slightly, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"Yes, of course. How could it compare to yours?"

Hearing this, Seraphina looked ill. She raised a hand to her forehead and collapsed against Dante, her body going limp as her voice grew weak.

"Dante, I feel dizzy... so unwell..."

I watched her clumsy performance with cold eyes, not a ripple of emotion in my gaze.

Dante, however, was frantic. He shoved me aside, scooped Seraphina into his arms, and shot me a venomous glare.

"I'm taking Seraphina to rest. She's not well and needs quiet! You... you stay away from us!"

I watched the three of them hurry away and disappear around the corner.

I stood frozen.

I looked down at the ring in my palm. How many other things had Dante hidden from me over the years?

I took out my phone and contacted a local partner.

"Julian, it's me. Arrange for the best private investigators..."