One Hand Ruined, One Throne Taken

Liliana stared at the disconnected phone and laughed with brazen defiance.

Less than five minutes later, a thunderous crash shook the entire casino, and everyone spun around in fear.

The massive front doors of the casino were smashed apart as a black Hummer rammed straight through them from outside.

Before anyone could react, doors flew open. From the Hummer and a long line of black sedans behind it poured out more than a hundred men in identical black suits.

They moved as one, disciplined and precise.

In less than 30 seconds, every one of Cesar's bodyguards was neutralized.

The men who had been throwing their weight around earlier didn't even get the chance to draw their guns. Their weapons were yanked away, and they collapsed to their knees, trembling all over.

My father, Rossi Corsini, stepped inside. He wore a long black coat. His posture was calm and unhurried, and he was surrounded by his elite bodyguards.

His gaze scanned the hall, cold and unreadable, before settling on my mangled right hand.

Cesar hadn't grasped what was happening. Seeing his casino destroyed and his men restrained, he erupted in fury. "Who on earth are you? Do you know whose territory this is? How dare you cause trouble here? I—"

Before he could finish, one of my father's bodyguards drew his handgun and fired.

The bullet punched cleanly through Cesar's left knee.

A shrill scream tore out of him as he collapsed heavily to the floor.

The casino fell into absolute silence.

My father didn't spare Cesar a glance. He strode to my side and carefully lifted my ruined right hand.

The moment he saw the damage, the Don who ruled Iberny's underworld flared with rage. His eyes were blazing red, and a tidal wave of fury and murderous intent radiated from him.

He turned his head. His voice was a whisper from the depths of hell. "Who did this?"

Liliana had already gone limp with terror. She collapsed to the floor.

At my father's question, she shakily raised her arm and pointed at Cesar. Her finger was trembling uncontrollably.

The instant she moved, one of my father's men stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face.

Blood gushed from her mouth, and a few teeth went with it.

Cesar's eyes went wide as he finally read the words in a veteran gambler's terrified expression, "Corsini". He realized the ultimate power in the Ibernian mafia world and the uncrowned king of Montefina was before him.

Ignoring the pain in his shattered knee, he crawled desperately toward my father.

"Don Corsini! I messed up! I know I messed up! I didn't know that was Ms. Corsini! I swear I didn't know!" Tears and mucus streamed down his face.

My father looked down at him with naked disgust. "Trash like you is unworthy of my daughter."

With that, he lifted his foot and ground Cesar's head into the floor.

Then, he issued his command. "Clear the hall. Everyone except him and that woman."

My father gestured toward Cesar and Liliana.

"As for any gambler or bodyguard who watched, cheered, or spoke out of line—drag them out, break their limbs, and throw them into the street," he added.

The order was carried out immediately.

Cries and pleas erupted, only to vanish beyond the casino doors moments later.

In an instant, the hall was empty except for us. The floor was strewn with debris.

My father strode up to Liliana and kicked her down at my feet.

When he turned to me, his voice softened instantly. "My Principessa, this one is yours."