Chapter 4 - The Fiancée Who Knew the Wedding Was a TrapBianca Rossi invited Arthur to dinner.
She wore white.
He wore black.
They sat across from each other in a private dining room.
“You look tired.”
“I am.”
“Your men say you've been moving around with the maid.”
Arthur's expression hardened.
“She has a name.”
Bianca smiled.
“Clara.”
“Yes.”
“She's dangerous.”
“She saved my life.”
“Maybe.”
Arthur leaned forward.
“Tell me about the wedding.”
Bianca lowered her glass.
“What about it?”
“Who created the succession clause?”
She hesitated.
“My father.”
“Why?”
“So the Rossi family could protect your interests.”
“You mean control me.”
“No.”
“You knew the marriage would transfer my assets.”
Bianca looked away.
“Yes.”
Arthur's voice became colder.
“Did you know the marriage would end with my death?”
Her eyes filled.
“No.”
“That's the truth?”
“Yes.”
He believed her.
That surprised him.
Bianca whispered:
“I was supposed to leave you after the ceremony.”
“Why?”
“Because my father said you would never survive the first month.”
Arthur stared.
“You knew he wanted you to betray me?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn't you?”
She looked at him.
“Because I fell in love with you.”
Arthur had no answer.
She continued:
“I tried to tell you.”
“When?”
“Three weeks ago.”
“You said you were nervous about the wedding.”
“I was terrified.”
Arthur closed his eyes.
“Why didn't you run?”
“My father threatened to kill my younger brother.”
Arthur's expression softened.
“So we were both trapped.”
Bianca nodded.
“But there is more.”
She pulled a file from her bag.
“Matteo isn't working for my father.”
Arthur froze.
“Then who?”
“Someone above him.”
“Name.”
She shook her head.
“I don't know.”
She opened the file.
Inside was a photograph.
An older man.
Arthur's blood froze.
His father.
Alive.
“No.”
Bianca whispered:
“Your father disappeared twenty years ago.”
Arthur stared.
“He died.”
“That's what everyone believed.”
Clara entered.
She saw the photograph.
“That man…”
Arthur looked at her.
“He's my father.”
Bianca nodded.
“He has been controlling Matteo.”
Arthur felt sick.
“If he's alive…”
“He wants the empire back.”
The truth was worse.
Arthur's father had created the succession clause.
Matteo had only been carrying it out.
The wedding would transfer everything to Arthur's legal spouse.
Then Arthur would disappear.
Bianca would control the assets.
And Arthur's father would reclaim the empire through her.
Arthur stood.
“The wedding is canceled.”
Bianca nodded.
“Tonight.”
Clara looked at him.
“That will make them move.”
“Good.”
Arthur's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A man's voice.
“Your father says hello.”
Arthur froze.
“Where is he?”
“Closer than you think.”
“Who is this?”
“You're asking the wrong question.”
The call ended.
A message appeared.
LOOK AT YOUR SERVANTS.
Arthur turned toward the doorway.
Enzo stood there.
Their eyes met.
Enzo smiled.
May you like
Arthur understood.
The traitor had been beside him every day.
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