The water dungeon was pitch black, filled only with sewage and rats.

I was chained to the wall.

I didn't know how much time had passed before the iron door clanged open.

Sophia walked in.

"Well, Elena, cozy enough for you?"

She walked up to me. I stared at her coldly. "Sophia, you better pray I don't get out of here."

Sophia laughed manically. "You think you're leaving?"

She suddenly lifted her sharp stiletto and stomped hard on the back of my hand resting on the ground, grinding her heel into my skin.

The piercing pain made me cry out.

"Can't these hands hold a gun?" Sophia ground her heel harder, speaking viciously. "Let's see how you compete with me once I cripple them!"

Blood oozed from under her sole.

I gritted my teeth and stared at her. "Torturing a family member without sanction is a death sentence. If Marco finds out..."

"Marco?"

Sophia crouched down and patted my cheek.

" He thinks marrying me gets him into high society, but my family is nothing but an empty shell."

She leaned close to my ear, her voice cold.

"The loan sharks are waiting outside. Tomorrow, I'll get my hands on his money to pay my debts."

"Do you know why Marco dumped you for me so fast? It's not just my background. And..." Sophia smiled, full of triumph.

"That's right. Five years ago during that fire, you were the one who carried him out. But I took your handkerchief and stole your name. "

Sophia stood up and lashed me viciously with a whip. The dirty water made the wounds sting and burn.

"Enjoy yourself. I'm going upstairs to keep Marco company. He can't stand to be away from me for a second right now."

Sophia left after tiring herself out.

Not long after, sounds drifted down from the ventilation duct overhead.

Marco's master bedroom was directly above this dungeon.

Sophia's voice was exaggerated.

"Marco... you're so good... mm..."

"That killing machine wouldn't know passion like I do... She must be like a corpse in bed, right?"

"Don't talk about that buzzkill bitch... You're the only one for me now..."

A rat climbed onto my knee; I kicked it away.

Since you want to play dirty, don't blame me for what comes next.

I used my tongue to push hard against the loose molar on the left side.

Five years ago, worried about my safety, my brother had a micro-transmitter installed there.

Once crushed, the Corleone family would receive my coordinates.

I closed my eyes and sent the distress signal.

Early the next morning, I was dragged out of the water dungeon, thrown into a car, and hauled directly to the Leon family's grand hall.

The hall was packed. Marco stood on the stage looking high and mighty.

Sophia stood beside him in the white gown that was originally mine.

I lay at the end of the red carpet, covered in blood.

Marco looked at me, took Sophia's hand, and pinned a platinum badge on her chest.

Sophia looked at me provocatively.

After the ceremony, Marco walked over to me.

He looked down at me from his height.

"Elena, even though you betrayed me, I'm benevolent."

"If you swear loyalty to Sophia right here, you can stay at the estate. As Sophia's maid."

"This is my final mercy."

I looked up. "Marco, keep dreaming."

Sophia immediately clutched her chest, feigning terror.

"Marco, look at her... her eyes are so scary. She'll definitely try to kill me in my sleep..."

Marco snapped.

"Ungrateful wretch!"

He kicked me in the shoulder, knocking me over.

"If you won't kneel, I'll have someone teach you how!"

Several soldatos rushed up, held me down, and forced my head against the floor.

"Kowtow! Apologize to the Mistress!"

My head slammed against the ground. Blood ran into my eyes.

Just then, a massive engine roar erupted outside.

The heavy iron gates were smashed open.

Two rows of bodyguards in black rushed in, instantly seizing control of the room.

Marco and his men froze.

Over a dozen bulletproof luxury cars drove in, blocking the entrance completely.

The doors opened, and several elderly men with canes stepped out.

The crowd gasped.

Old One-Eye of the Gambinos, the Butcher of Chicago, the Boss of the Lucchese family... they were all heavyweights of the underworld.

On the lead Rolls-Royce was the lion crest of the Corleone family.

Marco straightened his tie and even smoothed his hair.

"Did you see that, Sophia?" Marco's voice trembled with excitement. "Even the Corleone family is here to congratulate me! This is the kind of pull I have!"

He strode forward to welcome them.

As he passed me, he deliberately stomped on me.

"Dons, it is an honor to have you here!"

Marco extended both hands, intending to shake Old One-Eye's hand.

"I am Marco, your humble junior. I have long admired..."

Old One-Eye didn't even look at him; he walked right past him.

His hand froze in mid-air.

Immediately after, every single boss walked right past him.

Marco's smile froze on his face as he stood there awkwardly.

He turned around.

"Gentlemen... I was just about to clean up..."

He stopped mid-sentence, stunned.

Because all those big shots had stopped right in front of me.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Swish—

Over a dozen Dons simultaneously removed their hats, pressed them to their chests, and bowed in perfect unison to me.