Lia’s POV

The engagement party went on and ended sooner than expected as most of the guests were already exhausted from dancing.

Throughout the dance, I made sure to avoid eye contact with Dante. Since this was the first time acting as someone I was not and in front of a man who could end my life with just the snap of his finger, I wished the party would come to an end early.

"Elena," my mother's voice echoed before I could find her among the crowd.

I walked up to them after I finally found them. I pretended to be alright before speaking, "Mom..." I tried to speak but broke into tears instead.

My mother embraced me in a warm hug, patting my back slowly. "I am sorry you have to do this for our sake. I am sorry," my mother muttered with sadness laced in her voice before disengaging from the hug. "Our lives and family prosperity lie on this," she reminded me.

With the way she sounded, I knew the both of them didn't want this for me. Of course, no one would exchange their beloved daughter for a deal to save their family's prosperity.

"Mom. Dad. Don't worry; I would make sure Dante doesn't find out about my real identity. I will do whatever it takes," I assured them, my voice barely audible with tears welling up in my eyes.

"I believe you won't disappoint us," my father, who had been silent, spoke coldly.

I smiled faintly before hugging my father, who was trying so hard not to reveal how sad he was. Though, I still find it hard to believe I am finally saying goodbye to the two people who made my life colorful when I was left in the street, cold and malnourished.

I walked back to Dante, who sat in the corner, a glass of alcohol in his hand.

"I am already exhausted-I want to go home," I stuttered, my gaze glued to the ground.

"Okay," his voice was cold and dark as his eyes roamed around my body as if he were going to devour me.

We left for the garage.

Arriving at the spot, he parked the car, and he opened the door for me to enter. I swallowed the lump in my throat before getting in.

I wanted to ask him a hundred questions, but my fear wouldn't let me. I made sure to remain silent until we arrived at a magnificent mansion with three stories after driving the silent road with the security men in two cars, driving behind us.

After the gate was opened, he drove in before pulling over in the parking lot.

At first, I doubted him being the owner of this house, and now these cars. I know him as the most-feared and respected Mafia Lord in the city, but I didn't imagine he would be so wealthy to...

"Won't you get out of the car?" He asked after opening the door for me, disgusted by my delay.

I snapped out of my thoughts before muttering, "I am sorry."

I got out of the car before walking into the mansion. I tried not to look around, but I couldn't. Everything in the living room was just too luxurious.

Seeing that Dante didn't stop in the living room, I followed his lead until he stopped in front of one of the rooms on the second floor.

I wanted to ask if we were sharing a room when we hadn't yet gotten married, but I didn't dare to ask. This is so unlike me, who is always sharp-tongued compared to Elena.

After we entered the room, Dante turned to face me. "I have an important business to tend to. I might not be here with you tonight," he said.

Before I could talk, he continued. "I would have two of my men protect this room until tomorrow morning when I would introduce you to everyone."

"Okay," I muttered, barely audible.

He didn't bother to change before leaving for the business trip or whatever he had to deal with.

Since I couldn't stand the smell of heat, I changed into the towel before entering the bathroom, which took me a while to find. I took a quick bath before returning to the room with a king-sized bed in the corner.

***

"What did you mean you didn't find my daughter?" Antonio asked, throwing the paper at him. "I gave you this job for the past ten years, but because of your incompetence, you still haven't come back to me with a positive response!"

"Sir, the ladies of her age that I found aren't Fiona. They didn't have the scar," the mob informed, placing some documents on Antonio's table.

Provoked, Antonio threw the paper at him. "This is the best you could do?" He sneered angrily. "I instruct you to use every means; even if you are going to spend a fortune, I don't care!"

"Sir, it-"

"You know what I hate the most?" His brow furrowed as he asked. He brought out his pistol before pointing it at him. "I hate incompetency! Being incompetent isn't an excuse," he muttered before pulling the trigger.

"Fool! Always coming to me with useless excuses!" Antonio muttered with a dark frown on his face after watching the mob fall dead to the ground.

He wasn't looking for his daughter because he wanted to, but because he had a special mission for her. He wants her to access the file, which could destroy the Moretti family, who are his mortal enemy.

He reached forward for his phone before tapping a few buttons. "EM, meet me in my office," his voice echoed after the call went through.

Two minutes later, EM was at his office. "Sir, what is the problem?" EM asked, his gaze lowered.

"Tomorrow is Dante Moretti's wedding, right?" Antonio asked coldly.

"Yes, sir," EM replied.

"I want you to carry out the plan tomorrow and also continue the search for Fiona," he instructed.