Chapter 3

At three in the afternoon, driver Old Tony knocked and came in.

He carried a bag of files.

“Madam, the godfather sent these. He said a few files need your glance. Routine stuff.”

“Put them on the table.”

Old Tony set them down but didn’t leave.

He rubbed his hands, hesitant.

“Madam, there’s something I should report.”

“Speak.”

“That car you had me watch. The plate ending in three sixes. I saw it parked under Emerald Bay in the west city several nights in a row.”

“I checked with the property management a few times. Then I found… Miss Isabella also lives there.”

He stepped aside after saying it.

He thought I’d smash a glass like before.

I only said, “Mm.”

“Got it. No need to watch anymore.”

Old Tony froze. “No need? Didn’t you always think the car owner was with the godfather…”

“It was a misunderstanding. Go do your work.”

Old Tony left, confused.

I opened the files he brought. Routine business material.

At the end was a blank check.

Lucano’s seal was already on it. The amount was blank.

He was always generous when spoiling me.

I pulled the check out and put it in my bag.

That night, Lucano came home early.

He saw me drinking porridge at the table and paused.

He walked over, sat across from me, chin on his hand, and watched me for a while.

“So quiet today?”

He smiled and pulled the stack of files over.

He flipped through them. When he saw the check was gone, he raised an eyebrow.

“You took it?”

“Wasn’t it for me?”

He laughed, closed the files, and tossed them aside. Then he looked at me.

“It is for you. I have a task for you.”

“Tomorrow’s territory meeting. Go in my place. Show your face, say a few words.”

He didn’t give me a chance to answer. He took a call and rushed off.

I didn’t look up.

Since his so-called settling down, rushing in and rushing out had become normal.

During that time, no one caught any gossip.

I convinced myself it was for the family business, not women.

But in the end, his settling down was just choosing one flower from the garden to bring home.

It was never about me.

The next morning, I went to the territory meeting for him.

Six or seven people sat in the room.

Several of Lucano’s councilmen were there.

There was also a young man I didn’t know well, sitting at the end.

Halfway through, a councilman suddenly aimed at the young man.

“Marco, your accounts are three days late. How do you explain to the godfather?”

The young man wasn’t anxious. “Data verification takes time. I can’t submit fake numbers.”

The councilman slapped the table.

“You think this is your accounting firm? The godfather wants results, not process.”

I didn’t speak. I looked down at my phone.

These people loved shifting blame. Lucano not coming meant he wanted me to be the target.

Lawyer Karl sent a message:

【Agreement delivered to your garage locker downstairs.】

I locked the screen.

I looked up at the young man named Marco and spoke.

“Give Marco three more days. If there’s an error, I’ll bear it.”

The councilman froze. “Madam, but the godfather…”

“I’ll talk to the godfather.”

The room went quiet for two seconds.

Marco glanced at me. It was brief. Then he lowered his head.

“Thank you, madam.”

After the meeting, I was the last to rise.

Marco waited at the door. When I came out, he said:

“I already finished the verification. I just found a loophole yesterday. I wanted to confirm before reporting.”

“Then go with your confirmation.”

I nodded at him and left without another word.

That night, I was making tea.

Lucano had just sat down. He didn’t look up.

“I heard you stood up for a young man at the meeting today?”