Chapter 2
Alessandro stared at the page long enough for Bianca to mistake silence for weakness.
“I told you.”
Her voice became smoother.
“You approved the transition.”
Alessandro looked at her.
“I approved household planning.”
“Same thing.”
“No.”
The word came softly.
Bianca’s hand stopped moving toward her veil.
Alessandro called Matteo.
He answered on the second ring.
“You’re supposed to be walking toward the chapel.”
“Come to the bridal suite.”
A pause.
“How bad?”
Alessandro looked at Livia’s hair on the floor.
“Come see.”
Matteo arrived four minutes later.
Fifty-four years old. Gray at the temples. Dark suit. Calm eyes.
The kind of man who rarely appeared surprised.
He saw Livia.
For the first time in years, Alessandro watched his cousin’s composure crack.
“What happened?”
Bianca answered first.
“She had a tantrum.”
Rosalie’s eyes snapped toward her.
Livia immediately moved behind Alessandro.
Matteo noticed.
His gaze dropped to the clippers.
Then to the ring.
Then to the paperwork in Alessandro’s hand.
His shoulders stiffened.
Alessandro held out the document.
“You prepared this?”
Matteo read it.
“Yes.”
Rosalie stared at him.
Bianca smiled faintly.
Alessandro’s voice stayed level.
“Did I authorize firing Rosalie?”
Matteo’s eyes lifted.
“You authorized restructuring staff after the wedding.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
A long pause.
Matteo exhaled through his nose.
“No.”
Bianca’s expression changed.
Matteo continued.
“The specific dismissal came from Bianca.”
Alessandro looked toward her.
Bianca spread her hands.
“She undermines me.”
“She protects my daughter.”
“She makes your daughter dependent.”
Rosalie’s fingers tightened around Livia’s cardigan.
Matteo stepped in.
“Alessandro.”
He lowered his voice.
“This isn't the room for this.”
Alessandro looked at him.
“That sentence usually means somebody wants me quiet.”
Matteo’s jaw shifted.
Then he said something Alessandro did not expect.
“The wedding still needs to happen.”
Bianca immediately looked toward him.
Alessandro noticed.
“Needs?”
Matteo’s eyes remained steady.
“The Moretti partnership closes tonight.”
“I don't care.”
“You will.”
Alessandro moved one step closer.
“Explain.”
Matteo glanced toward Livia.
His voice lowered.
“Not in front of her.”
Alessandro sent Rosalie and Livia into the adjoining nursery with two bodyguards.
The moment the door closed, Matteo opened his briefcase.
Inside was a financial agreement.
Alessandro recognized the companies.
Rizzano Hotels.
Moretti Capital.
A nine-figure refinancing arrangement tied to the wedding alliance.
Alessandro looked up.
“I never agreed that the marriage was a condition.”
Matteo’s hand remained on the document.
“You did.”
He turned to the final page.
There was Alessandro’s signature.
Again.
And this time Matteo said quietly:
“If you cancel the wedding tonight, you don't just lose Bianca.”
May you like
His eyes hardened.
“You may lose half the empire by Monday.”
