Chapter 4 - The Spectacle at Table FourAs Nico and I strolled across the ballroom floor toward Table Four, the ambient noise of the gala seemed to dial down to a collective, holding-of-breath whisper. Every eye was locked on us—on Nico Rossi, the untouchable titan, escorting a stunning woman in a crimson dress who wasn't his wife, wasn't a business associate, and most certainly wasn't approved by his inner circle.
At the table, Liam looked as though he was about to vomit. He stood up so fast his chair crashed backward onto the carpet.
“Dad?!” Liam choked out, his voice cracking violently. “What—what is she doing here? What are you doing with her?”
Valentina Rossi sat frozen like a marble statue, her gloved hands gripping the edge of the tablecloth so tightly her knuckles turned chalk-white. Beside her, Amber looked like she had just seen a ghost, her carefully practiced socialite smile twisting into a mask of ugly panic.
Nico didn't break stride. He guided me smoothly right up to the edge of their table, releasing my arm only to pull out the empty seat directly across from Liam and Amber.
“Sit, Luna,” Nico commanded gently, gesturing to the chair before turning his cold, piercing gaze onto his son.
I gracefully slid into the seat, folding my hands over my lap, offering Liam and Amber a sickeningly sweet, sympathetic smile.
“Dad, have you lost your mind?” Liam stammered, his face flushing a deep, mottled red as neighboring tables stared openly. “She’s… she’s nobody! She doesn't belong at this table! Get her out of here!”
“Watch your tone when you speak in front of our guest, Liam,” Nico said, his voice dropping into a register so chillingly low and absolute that it instantly shut his son down. “And watch how you address a woman who carries herself with ten times the dignity you’ve ever displayed in your entire miserable life.”
The insult landed with the force of a physical blow. Liam flinched, slumping back down into his seat, unable to meet his father’s eyes.
Amber, realizing her status as the shiny new toy was rapidly evaporating under the glare of the patriarch, forced a shaky, high-pitched laugh. “Oh, come on, Mr. Rossi! You can't seriously be entertaining her! Luna is just… well, she’s a bit unhinged. She’s probably just mad because Liam finally realized he deserved someone exciting. Someone in our social bracket.”
The entire table went dead silent. Even Valentina looked away, clearly realizing Amber had just stepped across a line she couldn't uncross.
Nico slowly turned his head to look at Amber. He didn't yell. He didn't raise his voice. He simply stared at her with the crushing, dismissive weight of an apex predator looking at a stray insect.
“And you are… Miss Amber, correct?” Nico asked smoothly, raising an eyebrow. “The sister who lacked the basic moral compass to keep her hands off her own flesh and blood’s belongings? Let me make something abundantly clear to you, young lady. In this family, loyalty is currency. You and my pathetic son didn't upgrade; you simply proved yourselves to be scavengers feeding off scraps.”
Amber’s face drained of every drop of color. Tears of humiliation pricked the corners of her eyes, and she looked desperately at Liam to defend her. But Liam was staring rigidly at his plate, entirely paralyzed by his father’s wrath.
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“Nico,” Valentina finally spoke up, her voice trembling with frosty indignation. “Must you make a public spectacle of our family name over a petty domestic dispute?”
“This isn't a domestic dispute, Valentina,” Nico replied calmly, picking up his water glass. “This is a masterclass in consequence. And frankly, I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
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