Isabella was startled by Emanuele’s sudden embrace. She shook her head and said, “It’s nothing, I’m fine.”
How could she answer when one demon inquired about being harmed by another?
Madelyn, engaged in a conversation with Sophia, mentioned that her husband had injured his leg, making it inconvenient for him to attend the wedding. She also mentioned that Chloe was still abroad and would return in a few days.
“When your brother recovers, you should all come over here to visit. This estate is huge, with plenty of rooms. You can stay as long as you like,” Sophia warmly invited. As Leo’s wife, she was now the mistress of the house and wanted her relatives to know how well she was doing.
“Sure, I’ll tell him when I get back,” Madelyn agreed. In the past, she had disliked Sophia and Isabella, considering them burdens. Although Sophia’s deceased husband had left a substantial sum of money, how long would it last? Spending it on dresses and jewelry would quickly deplete it. But things had changed. Sophia had married Leo, and Emanuele had become the most popular man in all of Chicago. Everything was different now.
As Madelyn spoke, her gaze fell on Isabella. Her eyes were like venomous snakes. In that instant, Isabella felt goosebumps all over her body. She clenched her hand into a fist, nails digging into her flesh. The pain was the only thing that could remind her to control her fear and disgust of Madelyn.
“Isabella, it’s been a long time. You’ve become so beautiful,” Madelyn walked toward Isabella, trying to hold her hand.
Isabella instinctively pulled her hand away, doing her best to restrain her overt fear and aversion to Madelyn.
“Hi, Aunt,” Isabella said with a trembling voice.
“If you have time, you can come to our place. Haven’t you forgotten your favorite meadow? You can herd cattle and sheep with your uncle,” Madelyn suggested.
Madelyn’s words made Isabella’s complexion even paler. No, she didn’t like it, not at all! When she was very young, her daily routine involved herding cattle and sheep. In the evenings, she had to sleep with the animals. She still remembered the foul, pungent smell of that herd vividly.
Madelyn was so cruel. After all these years, every time she saw her, she brought up this memory, as if she wanted Isabella to relive those terrible moments.
Unaware of the trauma, Sophia smiled and added, “Yes, Isabella loves being with cows and sheep.”
Sophia was clueless about Isabella’s past, but she recalled seeing Isabella with the animals a few times when she came home early. Chloe told her that Isabella loved small animals, and Isabella confirmed it when asked.
Emanuele, who had been paying close attention to their conversation, especially Isabella, noticed a significant change in her demeanor. Her face turned incredibly pale, and her body seemed to tremble.
This puzzled Emanuele. If she truly liked being with cows and sheep, she shouldn’t react this way. She appeared to be facing something terrifying.
He couldn’t help but ask her in a hushed tone, “Do you like it?”
Isabella shook her head instinctively. For some reason, she felt that the man beside her, even after what he had done to her recently, wasn’t as terrifying as Madelyn and Chloe. It was terrible. Even though this man had done dreadful things to her not long ago, she now felt more comfortable around him than she did with Madelyn and Chloe.
In fact, she dared to resist Emanuele, but she couldn’t defy Chloe.
Madelyn noticed Emanuele, and her expression was filled with surprise. “Mr. Lombardi, hello. I’m related to your stepmother. May I ask if you’re married? I have a daughter, six years younger than you, and she’s very sweet and pretty. Would you be interested in meeting her?”
Emanuele was a well-known figure in Chicago, the head honcho, young and handsome. Many girls had expressed a desire to marry him, including Chloe. The rumor was that he didn’t have a woman by his side, so if she introduced her daughter to him, it could be their ticket to a prosperous life.
“Oh, God, please let this be a perfect match!” Madelyn thought, wishing for a successful connection between her daughter and Emanuele.
However, Emanuele’s gaze was ice-cold and sharp, as if it could pierce through her. His demeanor was as cold as ice. This young Chicago mob boss had climbed to the top by stepping over countless bodies. Just one look from him could make most people uncomfortable.
Madelyn was taken aback by the intensity of his stare. She had forgotten just how ruthless he could be.
Yes, he had achieved his current status because of his ruthless nature and his lack of mercy towards enemies. He believed he wasn’t in a position to let someone else arrange his marriage. He was Chicago’s master, and he would decide who he would marry. The woman he would marry had to be someone he found truly captivating, someone he could protect as fiercely as he guarded his territory.
Madelyn’s face turned pale instantly. She realized that Emanuele’s youth had hidden the brutality of his character.
Yes, he had achieved his position through cruelty, showing no mercy to his enemies. If she married her daughter to him, what if they had disagreements, and he decided to kill someone?
So maybe it was best to forget about the whole idea. It was a bit disappointing, but still better than losing their lives.
Isabella, watching this unfold, found it a bit amusing. Why did Madelyn seem less terrifying now? It was funny to see her so frightened in front of Emanuele. At least Isabella could keep her composure when faced with Emanuele, even when he had threatened her with death several times.
“Let’s not talk about this,” Sophia intervened, sensing the awkward atmosphere between the two. She grabbed Emanuele’s arm, called a waiter, and brought two glasses of champagne.
“Emanuele, I’m delighted to be a part of your extended family. I promise we will have a happy life together in the future.”
Emanuele clinked his glass with Sophia’s, and his cold and intimidating aura mellowed.
Madelyn had been so frightened that Emanuele didn’t look at her again, and the atmosphere eased slightly. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she tried to strike up a conversation. She noticed Isabella standing there quietly and pulled her into the discussion.
“Isabella, Chloe often tells me how much she misses you and wants to visit you in Chicago. Why don’t you two set up a meeting?”
Isabella’s mood sank. Meeting with Chloe? No, it wouldn’t be a meeting, but a humiliation session. If she had to face Chloe alone, she would feel like she was going to die.
However, her throat seemed to be blocked, and she couldn’t speak, let alone refuse the idea. Her stupid illness always seemed to act up whenever someone mentioned Chloe, making her look weak and helpless.
Suddenly, a hand grasped Isabella’s shoulder, drawing her closer. It was Emanuele. His powerful presence, tinged with a hint of cold-bloodedness and a scent of death, something she had once feared, now comforted her inexplicably. Did Emanuele sense her emotional turmoil?
“This young lady doesn’t seem to enjoy chatting with the elders. Isabella, how about we go over there?” Emanuele embraced her and led her away from the crowd.
Once they left, Sophia looked at Madelyn. “You almost caused a disaster just now. Emanuele is not someone anyone can provoke.”
Madelyn patted her chest in relief, “God bless me. I just thought if Chloe could marry into this family, we’d meet more often, and it would be a delightful thing.”
Madelyn quickly fabricated a reason, lying was a simple task for her.
“But Emanuele is not an ordinary person. He never goes easy on outsiders. It’s only when he approves us as his family that he shows patience. I’ve been with him for three months, and I made it clear that I had no interest in their family’s wealth. I just love him as a person. He judged me and realized I had no ulterior motives to get close to their family. That’s when he allowed me to join their family,” Sophia explained softly.
Madelyn nodded, “I see.”
She turned to see Emanuele, who was holding Isabella’s waist, and their relationship seemed harmonious.
“But why is Isabella so close to Emanuele? I heard you say she was here to visit you not long ago,” Madelyn asked.
“I don’t know about that. Isabella might just be an innocent girl with no ulterior motives, and that’s why Emanuele treats her well.”
Is it really that simple? Madelyn thought. If it was, then her Chloe wasn’t so bad either. Chloe was not only beautiful but also possessed a noble temperament. In their village, she was known as the princess. Madelyn had carefully cultivated her aristocratic charm, teaching her to dance and play the piano from a young age. What could Isabella, who had spent her early years in a barn, compare to her?
Next time, she would bring Chloe here. Despite Emanuele’s harsh words earlier, she was determined that Emanuele would be infatuated with Chloe at first sight.
At this moment, Isabella was pulled onto the dance floor by Emanuele. She initially didn’t want to go but had no choice as Emanuele insisted they dance.
Honestly, away from Madelyn, she felt her emotions finally stabilize. She felt somewhat grateful to Emanuele for taking her away from that wicked woman.
However, thinking about what Emanuele had done in the study earlier, Isabella couldn’t help but feel that this man wasn’t much better either.
“Are you very afraid of your aunt?” Emanuele asked, holding Isabella’s waist and leading her in the dance. They were so close that their bodies almost pressed against each other. Emanuele’s chin grazed her hair, and the gentle yet close contact made Isabella uncomfortable.
Isabella forced a smile, “Not really.”
“You’re lying,” Emanuele affirmed. “When people lie, their eyes are usually evasive, and they can’t look directly at the person they’re talking to. Your body is tense, indicating emotional instability. Isabella, I don’t believe you can’t even dance such a simple dance properly.”
Hearing Emanuele’s analysis, Isabella looked up at him, “Emanuele, I seriously recommend you become a psychologist. You’re so good at analyzing others’ psychology; you might as well write a book.”
Emanuele chuckled, “Look at that, you can speak so well when facing me. But why do you become mute when facing your aunt?”
Emanuele wasn’t upset; in fact, he seemed rather pleased.
He couldn’t quite understand why, but seeing her angry made him find her so incredibly adorable. No one had ever dared to be angry with him like this before. This little girl was indeed quite brave. She was much stronger in this moment than when she looked lifeless earlier after seeing Madelyn.
Although he enjoyed tormenting her and relishing in her suffering, he hoped that her pain was due to him and not her so-called aunt. He wished that all her emotions, whether joy or sorrow, were because of him and no one else.
“You don’t need to worry about it,” Isabella replied. It was her secret, something she hadn’t even shared with her mother. She certainly didn’t want to reveal her vulnerability to Emanuele.
“Oh, in that case, how about I just send you over to your aunt’s? Let her take you back to their house for a few days. I think your mom and your aunt definitely wouldn’t refuse me,” Emanuele said with a cheerful grin. His hand around Isabella’s waist tightened, and he closely observed her reaction.