Loved the Wrong Woman, Lost the True Treasure

I'm representing the Rosa family at a mafia trade summit when we're ambushed on the road.

In the chaos, I get separated from the only bodyguard assigned to protect me.

When I finally overcome all hurdles and make it home alive, I see him step down from the vehicle that attacked us. The Soldati line up before him respectfully.

"Mr. Marco, if you like Leonora, you could just tell the Don. Why pretend to be Viviana's bodyguard? You had us chase Viviana into the dangerous Neralis Rainforest so that Leonora could appear at the trade summit. She's been missing for three days now. Shall we send our men to look for her?"

Marco Santis furrows his brows, and his fingers clench around a ring carved with the Santis family's crest.

"Leonora has always been insecure about being an illegitimate daughter. I haven't secured my position as heir. If I tell my father now, I'm afraid he'll never agree. As for Viviana, she's capable. She'll be fine."

I realize Marco tried so hard to stay by my side for my illegitimate sister, Leonora Rosa. She's the one who drove my mother to her grave.

It feels like someone had dug a hole in my chest and left it open to the cold wind. I force myself to stand and head to my father's room.

"Papa, you wanted me to marry the dying heir of the Santis family. I accept."

My Papa, Lucio Rosa, stood up abruptly. "Have you thought this through?"

I clenched my fists and nodded solemnly. "But I have one condition. From now on, I'll control every asset and connection that Mamma left me."

He agreed without hesitation before probing, "Since you've agreed to marry into the Santis family, your bodyguard…"

"I don't want him anymore."

I pushed the door open and said firmly, "I don't want anything aside from what Mamma left me."

Before I shut the door, I glanced back at Papa one last time. He was humming to himself, relieved that my illegitimate sister's marriage crisis was resolved. Then he eagerly pulled out a calculator and started counting the profits from the marriage.

The Santis family had offered two ports as a wedding gift, amounting to a deal worth 1 billion dollars. Papa had lost his appetite for the past month, trying to convince me to take Leonora Rosa's place.

I had been missing for three days. When I reappeared barefoot and covered in blood, Lucio hadn't offered so much as a single word of concern.

I had to accept the truth that my Papa and the man I loved favored the same person— Leonora.

I dragged my battered body to my room. The housekeeper, Rita Morelli, rushed over and supported me. "Where have you been, Ms. Rosa? Why are you so badly injured?"

She began to gently clean my wounds with warm water as her eyes brimmed with tears.

"I heard you didn't make it to the trade summit. Leonora took your place and stole the spotlight. But she doesn't know anything. How on earth did she manage to win everyone over?"

​​I lowered my gaze and recalled the conversation between Marco and the Soldati earlier.

"Mr. Marco, Viviana is the undisputed prodigy of the West Coast. Her analytical reports are outstanding. Only you despise her and would secretly steal her work to hand it to Leonora."

Marco said coldly, "Viviana grew up under the protection of two mafia families and has led a comfortable life. Leonora is different. She's had it rough and lived in the slums with her mom. She's lucky to have survived. If Leonora had the same opportunities as Viviana, she would be just as brilliant.

"I can't bear to see her being so insecure."

I couldn't help but scoff. The younger son of the Santis family had stooped to be my bodyguard just to protect a secret, illegitimate daughter. If that wasn't enough, he’d stolen my report and even orchestrated a life-threatening ambush just to get me out of the way so Leonora could shine.

Marco, did you really love her so much? Enough to put my life on the line?

A strong perfume scent snapped me out of my thoughts. Leonora swayed into the room and said, "Viviana, you're finally home? Were you out on a three-day tryst with some man?"

She was dressed in a custom gown, with the diamond necklace Papa had bought for her glittering around her neck.

"Everyone on the West Coast now knows about your scandalous past. Viviana of the Rosa family and a dozen thugs—"

Before Leonora could finish speaking, Rita lunged forward and shoved her.

"Liar! You've been spreading the rumors to frame Viviana. I'll kill you!"

Leonora shrieked and stumbled back. She fell into a broad, firm chest.

I looked up and caught Marco's murderous glare.