My Salvation, My Damnation

The yacht party was lavish, but I immediately noticed something was off when I looked around carefully.

The bodyguards stood lazily in corners, and not one of them was armed. The maids moved clumsily. Their hands were trembling slightly as they carried trays. And though the food was elegant, the portions were clearly insufficient.

Had Marco's family really declined to this extent?

Still, this was perfect. If that was the case, security was probably loose too, making it easier for Uncle Dante's people to act.

Leon walked into the venue with his arm around my waist. In an instant, everyone's eyes turned to us.

"Don Costa!"

"Madre!"

The guests swarmed over, competing to curry favor. Everyone knew that Leon's family had been thriving under his leadership these past years, while Marco's influence had long since declined.

Marco stood not far away. His face was dark as he watched this play out. But he quickly adjusted his expression and walked over with champagne. He forced a smile. "Veronica, it's been a while."

I nodded coldly. "Quite a while. The last time we met, you were warning me not to regret my decision."

Marco's smile stiffened, and he lowered his voice. "There's no need to bring up the past. By the way, I heard your uncle returned to the country recently?"

I raised an eyebrow, suddenly understanding why he had personally invited me here. He wanted Uncle Dante to help him out. Marco probably still thought that since I had once loved him so much, I would surely soften and help him.

I smiled. "Yes, he's back."

Marco's eyes lit up. "So, could you maybe..."

"No." I cut him off bluntly. "Do you remember how my mom died?"

His expression froze. I didn't give him a chance to speak. My voice was clear enough for everyone around to hear.

"Back when I was still your fiancee, I risked everything for you. My only request was that you take care of my mom. But you were careless, and you let her condition worsen.

"The day she went into kidney failure, I called you 99 times. Every single call was hung up on. Now, what makes you think I would help you?"

The surroundings instantly fell silent. The guests' eyes shifted subtly between Marco and me as they whispered among themselves.

Marco's face alternated between red and white. He gripped his wine glass tightly. Seeing this, Penny immediately adopted a wounded expression and looked at Leon. "Leon, look at her..."

Leon frowned but didn't respond to her words. He only gave me a warning look.

Penny bit her lip, then suddenly smiled. "Oh, right, where's your gift?"

I pulled a box from my purse and casually tossed it to her. Penny caught it and opened it to find a pair of ordinary pearl earrings. She pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied. Her gaze zoned in on the brooch on my chest.

"Vee..." she bit her lip and said pitifully, "Could I borrow your brooch for just one day?"

The guests immediately gasped. That brooch was custom-made by my Uncle Dante, symbolizing the legitimate status of the Bianchi family. As the daughter of a mistress, Penny had no right to touch it.

I said nothing. I just stared at her coldly. Penny's eyes reddened. "Never mind. I know you've never liked me, Vee, and you're always looking down on me..."

As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Leon with a pitiful expression. Leon frowned. He knew the significance of this brooch, but he still spoke up. "Veronica, Penny just wants to borrow it for a day."

Marco also sneered. "Veronica, it's just a brooch. Do you really have to be so petty?"

"Absolutely not." I cut them off and turned to leave.

But Penny suddenly reached out and grabbed me. "Vee!"

I casually shook her off, and she cried out as she fell to the ground. Leon's face darkened instantly as he grabbed my wrist. "Veronica!"

I frowned at him. "I didn't push her."

Penny sat on the ground, clutching her ankle with tears in her eyes. "Leon, don't blame Vee. It was my own carelessness..."

Leon stared at me with dark eyes, then suddenly reached out. He yanked the brooch off me and pinned it to Penny's dress.

"Consider it compensation," he said coldly.

The entire venue fell silent. The guests' expressions shifted with interest as everyone knew what this meant.

Penny kept her head down, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. Since childhood, everyone had always said I was better than her, more noble than her. And now, she had finally left me with nothing.

Marco moved to help Penny up, but she rose delicately on her own. "Leon, I twisted my ankle. Could you take me to the lounge?"

Leon frowned, hesitating as he looked at me. But Penny cooed softly. "Leon..."

Leon finally nodded and followed her as they left. Before leaving, she turned back and gave me a provocative smile.

I stood there, watching their retreating figures, and smiled. What a lovely family I had.