Calabria a few days ago before the wedding of Vitto Marchesi and
Lydia Engkeranji
The dinner after the wedding rehearsal was nothing short of extravagant. Crystal chandeliers hung low over the banquet table, casting golden light onto the finest silk linens and plates of food that probably cost more than some people made in a month. The scent of aged wine mixed with the aroma of freshly grilled steak, laughter, and hushed conversations blending into a melody of wealth and power.
Ethan sat beside his father, Vitto Marchesi, as the man introduced him to his inner circle—businessmen, politicians, and long-time allies who had never heard of him until today.
"Ah, so this is the lost Marchesi heir," one of the older men chuckled, raising a glass in approval. "You certainly have your father's face, young man. A strong jaw, and those sharp eyes. Fuhh. A born leader." Ethan merely nodded, used to such comments.
The women at the table, both young and older, whispered amongst themselves, their eyes lingering on him with intrigue. Some openly flirted, others sent subtle glances his way. It was uncomfortable at best, but he played along, offering polite smiles and short replies.
The men, however, were a mix; some welcomed him with admiration, acknowledging his success outside of the Marchesi name, while others watched him too closely, their gazes unreadable. He could feel the weight of jealousy, skepticism, and maybe even something darker, resentment. It was inevitable. A man appearing out of nowhere to take the throne was bound to stir conflict. Then, as he reached for his wine, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Look at him," Giulianna sneered. "Sitting here like he belongs."
Ethan turned, coming face to face with his half-twin sisters, Giulianna and Arianna.
"Careful, Giuli," Arianna smirked. "He's our dear big brother now, remember?"
Giulianna scoffed. "Please. He's only here because his whore of a mother threw herself at father. Now he gets to take everything while we—"
Ethan's grip on his glass tightened, the insult toward his mother hitting a nerve. He wasn't particularly close to his birth mother, but that didn't mean he'd tolerate disrespect.
"Watch your mouth," Ethan said coldly, setting his glass down. "I don't need the Marchesi name to have a fortune. Unlike you two, I didn't grow up with everything handed to me. So tell me, are you ready to live on the street?" Their smiles faltered, their eyes narrowing dangerously. For the first time, they looked at him—not as an unwanted outsider, but as a threat.
An eerie silence stretched between them before Arianna leaned in, whispering just low enough for only him to hear. "You'll regret ever coming back, Ethan."
He smirked. "Try me."
Luca, standing nearby, remained observant, his sharp eyes flickering between Ethan and the twins. But before tensions could rise any further, a loud boom echoed through the air, signaling the start of the fireworks celebration. The dinner came to a formal end, guests moving toward the balcony to watch the sky burst into brilliant shades of gold and red.
But as everyone admired the display, Ethan noticed something or rather, someone is slipping away. Dominic. He wasn't alone. A small group of men, including some of Vitto's closest associates, moved discreetly toward the greenhouse at the far end of the estate. Ethan's instincts sharpened.
"Luca," he murmured.
"I've seen them," Luca replied. His voice was calm, but his stance had shifted—alert, ready.
Ethan's decision was instant. "We're following them. Get the equipment." Luca didn't hesitate, retrieving a small recording device from his coat before leading the way.
The greenhouse belonged to Uncle Jerome, a vast structure filled with dense plants, making it the perfect place for a secret meeting. Ethan and Luca moved quietly, sticking to the shadows, carefully positioning themselves as close as possible without being seen.
The men inside spoke in hushed tones, making it difficult to catch full sentences, but fragments slipped through the rustling leaves. "Cutro… take the item… distributed to Rome." "Hawk… about to catch all the rats soon." The words were vague, but the undertone was clear.. something was being planned, something big.
Ethan exchanged a look with Luca, who nodded. They weren't going to get anything more from this. It was time to pull back. Silently, they made their way back to the mansion. By now, most of the guests had left, leaving only a small group—Vitto's closest friends, Ethan's foster parents, and his father and mother, who sat together, glowing with happiness.
Ethan took one last look at the scene before him, then exhaled. "Enough for tonight," he muttered. "Tomorrow, I need to be in my best shape." And with that, he disappeared into the night, ready for whatever the morning would bring.
At 2 a.m., there was a knock. Light. Then louder. His eyes fluttered open, but his limbs wouldn't move. Something was wrong. He felt… heavy. Then a crash—the door thrown open. Two bodyguards rushed in, flung open the windows, and lifted him out. Voices blurred. Shapes moved.
He caught a glimpse of Luca's face—panic and fury etched deep. Then everything went dark. When he woke a few moments later, he was somewhere unfamiliar. The scent of antiseptic. A cool towel on his head. His mother sobbed into his father's chest. Luca stood nearby, hands bandaged, eyes bloodshot.
"What happened?" Ethan grasped. Vitto nodded at Luca.
"You were poisoned," Luca said, voice shaking. "Gas. Pumped into your room. The guards smelled it and acted fast. If they hadn't…" He didn't finish.
Vitto's face darkened. "I'll handle this—"
"With respect," Luca cut in, "don't bother. It's not the first time someone's tried to kill my boss. And we all know who's behind it."
Vitto's shoulders sagged. "My daughters…" he silenced then said "I'll talk to them," he muttered. "Maybe we should postpone the wedding—"
"No!," Ethan said firmly. "You've waited long enough. You 're marrying my mother this morning. End of story."
Vitto smiled through his tears and clasped Ethan's hand. "You're everything Bruno and Delilah raised you to be. I couldn't be more proud. Will you stand with me today? As my best man?" Ethan glanced at Luca. A quiet nod.
"It'd be an honor, Father," Ethan said.
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