I instantly slapped Luca's hand away the moment he reached for my face, the sound of the slap carrying clearly to every corner of the room.

In that instant, everyone in the room fell silent, while Luca's gaze darkened noticeably.

I had been extremely afraid of that look in my past life, as it signified another round of punishment later that night. But now, it was all different. I said softly, making sure that Lia heard me, "I wish you and Lia all the happiness in the world, Luca."

I intentionally placed heavy emphasis on the word "happiness" before I turned around, my gaze sweeping over each hypocritical face in the room before finally stopping at the man sitting at the head of the table. It was none other than Vittore Corleone, Luca's father and the Don of the Corleone Famiglia.

Vittore was a 45-year-old man in a tailored dark gray suit, sitting upright. His blond hair was perfectly groomed, and his profound features resembled a classical sculpture. He had a few wrinkles around his eyes, which didn't age him so much as add to his dignified presence.

He remained silent the whole time, quietly savoring the red wine in his glass. The atmosphere of the whole room seemed to revolve around him.

In my past life, Vittore was the last person I saw before I died. He rushed into the hospital ward and tried to get the doctors to resuscitate me, but it was of no use. He stared at my lifeless body on the hospital bed as something inside his ice-blue eyes shattered.

It was only then that I understood that this man of a few words was likely the only person on my side. It was just a shame that the realization came too late.

It wasn't too late now, though. I strode toward the head of the table in my high heels, the clicks against the marble floor resounding through the silent room.

Lia widened her eyes in surprise, while Dad looked as if he wanted to call out to me. However, he ultimately remained silent.

I came to a stop in front of Vittore, who suddenly looked up at me, his expression so neutral that it was impossible to discern his thoughts. I leaned over to whisper into his ear, noting the subtle aroma of cedar and whiskey clinging to him. It felt entirely different from the blatant, aggressive scent Luca gave off.

"You need a successor to the Corleone Famiglia, right, Don Corleone?" I whispered, my lips almost brushing his ear, as I noticed his frame go rigid for a split second. I then continued, "You'd need a legitimate successor, one with the pure blood of a Corleone."

Vittore lightly tapped the rim of the wine glass, and though the movement was subtle, the atmosphere in the room turned ice-cold.

I looked toward Luca, who was still standing naked at the center of the room, glaring at me like he wanted to kill me, and continued, "I mean, your current son doesn't possess any skills besides screwing women during commission meetings."

Vittore finally turned to face me, meeting my gaze head-on. He then, with deliberate slowness, smiled faintly and spoke with a deep, resonant Cisilian accent. "How interesting. Go on, Ms. Rossi."

I straightened my posture and glanced back at Lia, noticing that her triumphant grin was gone, replaced by a look of bewilderment and growing dread. I deliberately raised my voice so that everyone in the room could hear me, saying, "I have nothing more to say. I'd just like to offer my heartfelt blessings to Lia and Mr. Luca."

I paused for a moment, my gaze moving from Luca's sullen face to Lia's pallor and the cold sweat beading on Dad's forehead. I then stated deliberately, "I hope that they'll grow old together."

"Meeting adjourned," Vittore said as he set down his wine glass, his gaze still fixed on me. He rose to his feet, a full head taller than I was, until his shadow fell entirely over me. He then tilted his head slightly and said, "I want you to stay behind, Ms. Rossi."

I ended up in Vittore's study on the third floor. He didn't say anything right away but went over to the bar cabinet, poured two drinks, and passed one of them to me, saying, "You should have some brandy. You look like you need it."

I accepted the glass of brandy, my hands shaking slightly.

"Have a seat," Vittore said, taking a seat on the leather couch in front of the fireplace. "You seem to know what kind of person Luca truly is, Ms. Rossi."

I took a sip of the brandy and replied, "Yes, I do. I know Luca enjoys leaving marks on women and that he has converted the room beside his bedroom into his personal torture chamber.

"I also know that he allows his subordinates to take turns 'sampling' his women, all while he films their interactions and keeps the tapes as a collection."

Vitorre lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest of the couch, stating calmly, "You know more than I imagined, Ms. Rossi. Why did you agree to marry Luca in the first place, then?"

"It's because my father ordered me to," I replied with a wry smile.

"What a foolish reason," Vittore said. He watched me for a long time afterward—long enough that I began to fear that he'd have his men toss me out—before he suddenly asked, "Do you really think you can provide me with a successor?"

"I can," I replied as I placed the glass down, trying to appear as composed as I could.

I then lifted my gaze and continued, "I'm young and healthy, with the Rossi bloodline running through me. I think the most important thing is the fact that your son's tactics won't break me like they do the others. I've already been betrayed by my sister, so there's nothing left for me to fear, Don Corleone."

Vitorre actually smiled in response; it wasn't the cold smirk he'd shown earlier, but a genuine, amused smile. "You're quite courageous—either that, or you're acting out of desperation."

"I guess both are true," I stated flatly.

Vittore rose to his feet and walked toward me, his towering height casting me entirely in shadow.

I caught the scent of cedar and whiskey on him, feeling the heavy weight of his presence. I knew that it was the kind of pressure that only a man in his position could exert.

Vittore didn't lay a finger on me; instead, he simply leaned forward, bracing his arms on the couch to either side of me and confining me in his presence.

Vittore murmured, his warm breath grazing my ear, "If I marry you, you'll become the Madre of the Corleone Famiglia, with boundless wealth, authority, and respect at your command. But in exchange…"

His lips were inches from my ear as he continued, "...you must never betray me, show any weaknesses, or disappoint me, Ms. Rossi."

I could feel my heart racing in my chest as I asked, "What happens if I let you down, Don Corleone?"

Vittore straightened his posture, a flash of cruelty appearing in his ice-blue eyes. "Luca is merely a child with his playthings, so I'll make sure you understand the methods of the Don, Ms. Rossi."

It was then that a burst of noise rose from below—music, laughter, and the sound of glasses clinking. It seemed like the engagement banquet had begun.

Vittore stepped back and straightened his cuffs. "You have three days to think it over. If you're still here after that, I'll have my lawyers draw up the prenup."

I immediately responded to him. "I don't need three days. I can give you my answer right now."

I rose to my feet and continued, "I'll agree to it, but I have two conditions."

"Go ahead and state them."

I stated flatly, "I want our wedding to take place before Lia and Luca's. I want everyone to see who is truly marrying into the inner circle of the Corleone Famiglia."

Vittore nodded. "I can do that. What about your second condition?"

I took a deep breath before replying, "I want your guarantee that whatever happens, any child of mine—your future successor—will never be left to Luca."

I was trembling, but I still pushed through it. "I don't want him making bets on who the father is just for a laugh or letting his men lay a finger on me."

In this life, I was determined to protect myself and my child.

"That's enough. I won't allow anything like that to happen, since the future successor will be mine alone," Vittore snapped, his face a mask of fury. He left it just like that, but the fire in the fireplace suddenly surged and wavered.

"It's a deal, then," I said as I shook Vittore's hand, noting that it was broad and warm, with the faint calluses earned from years of carrying a weapon.

Vittore, with a light pull of his hand, pulled me into his embrace. It was not a tender one, but one filled with a raw, commanding possession.

I collided against his firm chest, where I could distinctly feel his taut muscles through the suit.

Vittore pressed his lips to mine, the kiss rough and full of possessiveness. He lightly bit my lips until I tasted a metallic hint of blood. He used his tongue to force his way into my mouth, filling it with the taste of brandy mingled with his signature scent of cigars and authority.

It didn't feel like a romantic gesture but a marking of territory, using his mouth and my blood to stake his claim.

I braced my hands on his chest, feeling the solid muscle under his shirt. I also couldn't help but feel the clear sensation of his startlingly hard and warm manhood against my lower abdomen. I could feel the sheer size and hardness even with two layers of clothing between us, causing my legs to go weak at once.

Vittore clearly noticed me tensing up. But instead of pulling away, he pulled me closer to him. He pressed his erection against my lower abdomen, grinding slightly as he intensified the kiss.

I couldn't think straight at that moment. I merely thought that in my past life, Luca had never given me this kind of oppressive feeling that bordered on terror.

Vittore's lust, much like himself, was profound, immense, and undeniable. He kissed me for so long that I almost ran out of air and felt a burning sensation in my chest, all while my body responded honestly to the growing wetness between my legs.

I was struggling to catch my breath when Vitorre finally let go of me, my lips swollen and red from the kiss.

Vittore wiped the blood from my lip with his thumb, moving with an unexpected tenderness. "You can consider that a down payment for what's to come. You should head downstairs and show Lia who the true winner really is."

I smoothed out my dress and fixed my hair. I turned around once I got to the door.

Vittore stood before the fireplace, lifting his glass and making a toasting gesture toward me. "You're going to be my wife soon, so there's something you ought to know."

"What is it?"

Vittore replied nonchalantly, "I have copies of Luca's tape collection—every single one of them."

I instantly felt my blood run cold. "W-Why?"

Vittore took a sip of his brandy before replying, "I need leverage over him; after all, every beast requires a collar—and those tapes are his."

He then turned to look at me with a penetrating look, adding, "They serve as your weapons as well now, Elvira."

I walked out of the study on shaky legs—not because I was afraid, but because I was exhilarated.

I noticed that the downstairs hall had been transformed into a banquet venue, and that Lia had changed into a red backless gown, walking arm-in-arm with Luca while basking in the crowd's well-wishes.

Upon spotting me, Lia's eyes gleamed—a look of pure, triumphant pride. She pulled Luca along, asking, "Where have you been, Elvira? Luca and I have been looking for you! Have a look at the engagement ring Luca got me!"

She held out her left hand, showing off the huge diamond ring that was practically blinding. She smiled triumphantly and said, "It's ten carats, and Luca even promised to get me an even pricier one for the wedding, Elvira."

Luca stood beside her, staring intently at me. "I'm sorry about earlier, but I'm truly in love with Lia. I hope you can come to accept that, Elvira."

I merely smiled and said, "I'm open to accepting that, of course. I also have some good news to announce."

In that instant, the crowd fell silent and pricked up their ears to listen intently.

Lia's smile stiffened slightly. "What good news?"

"You see, Don Corleone and I…" I deliberately raised my voice, making sure everyone around could hear me. I took a deliberate pause to savor the way Lia's expression gradually stiffened and continued, "...have just gotten engaged, and we'll be getting married in one month."

At that moment, everything went utterly silent before a collective gasp rippled through the room.

Lia's face paled to a sickly hue as she asked, "W-What do you mean by that?"

I replied deliberately, "I said I'm marrying Vittore Corleone, which means that Luca, your fiance, will have to address me as Madre."