Chapter 2

Hearing Leon's words, my father's face turned ashen.

"What is the meaning of this! The Costas and Rossis have been allies for generations. Are you trying to ruin our alliance?"

Leon met his glare unflinchingly. "Mr. Costa, with all due respect, I only have eyes for Ella. No one else will do."

Ella stood up immediately. "Leon, you shouldn't speak of Viola that way. She was forced away from our family as a child. She's suffered enough."

Mother never wanted me involved with the mafia. She took me away from the family young, protecting me, shielding me from Father's world. In reality, Father never once appeared.

Not until after her death did he suddenly find me, saying it was Mother's dying wish for me to marry well and find security.

I had believed it then. But now, the more I thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

"Pitiful?" Leon sneered. "I think she's just playing for sympathy. It's disgusting."

"Then perhaps leave them both for Ella. She's so outstanding, she can surely satisfy both gentlemen," I said slowly, rising to my feet.

"Viola!" Ella's face flushed crimson. "How can you say that? We only want you to gain some support now that you're back. I believe that was your mother's final wish too."

Looking at her hypocritical face, my anger threatened to erupt. But I suppressed it.

"You must choose one!" Father glared at me. "Since Ella and Leon are already in love, you will marry Cassian."

"What if I refuse?" I defied him.

Father shot up, slamming his wine glass onto the table.

"Enough!" He pointed at the family necklace around my neck. "Remember, you are a Costa now! Family interests come first! Your only duty is to enter this marriage alliance!"

Family interests come first. Again. Not long after my marriage to Cassian, Father, citing severe family business losses, seized all the inheritance Mother left me. I struggled desperately to survive, only to end up a discard anyway. Meanwhile, Ella used that money to successfully secure her position as family heir.

I would not stand by and watch them push me towards death again.

"I know the family business in the border town of Greyport has been operating at a loss for three consecutive weeks," I stated calmly. "Give me a chance to manage it there, to prove my worth. If I fail to turn Greyport's profits around, then I will submit to whatever marriage arrangement you decide."

Father was stunned, clearly not expecting me to know about the family's financial situation.

Cassian suddenly spoke up. "Let her go."

He glanced at me. I thought he probably wanted me out of the way so he could pursue Ella undisturbed.

Ella fell silent, perhaps not believing I could succeed.

After a moment's silence, Father finally nodded. "Three months. If you show no results, come back and marry as told."

I swore inwardly. This time, I would protect the inheritance Mother left me and build real power in the border town.

Three months later, Greyport docks.

Late at night, I stood at a warehouse entrance, watching the freshly unloaded crates of arms, a sense of accomplishment washing over me.

Using the seed money and connections Mother left me, I quickly took control of the dock operations, establishing my own smuggling network. In just three months, I secured two arms deals worth over thirty million dollars—enough to make Father take notice.

But more importantly, while investigating Mother's death, I found some clues. Her death seemed connected to someone in the Costa family.

On the anniversary of Mother's passing, without telling anyone, I bought a ticket back to pay my respects.

But when I reached the cemetery, I saw several familiar figures already standing before Mother's grave.

Ella turned, feigning surprise upon seeing me. "Viola? The family hasn't been able to reach you for three months. I guessed you'd come today."

She approached, a concerned expression on her face. "How have you been in Greyport? I heard it's dangerous there. I've been worried about you."

I didn't answer, just watched her quietly.

"There are rumors... that to cover losses, you've been associating with various men. I thought you didn't know anyone there before. How did they agree to help you so quickly?"

She paused, a hint of malice flashing in her eyes. "It's time you handed over the border operations. That's not a job for someone like you."

I laughed coldly. "I secured those contracts myself, through my own ability."

Ella was clearly taken aback by my defiance. In my past life, I obeyed them in everything, never uttering a word of protest, not even about Mother's inheritance or the family succession.

"I'm just afraid you'll get hurt later," she began, putting on a worried act. "After all, you have no backing. Doing such dangerous things alone will bring trouble upon yourself."

"The one who should worry about trouble is you," I said, pointing at her neck. "Do less evil, or your end will be the same as theirs."

"Enough," Cassian's voice sounded behind me.

"Why are you threatening your sister, Viola?" He strode over, roughly grabbing my arm. "Apologize to Ella."

Seeing him shielding Ella, the last shred of illusion in my heart shattered completely.

"On what grounds?" I pried his fingers off and broke free. "Don't play the good guy here. You're not worthy."

Cassian's hand hung in the air. He seemed about to say something, but Ella pulled at him.

He must have sensed something was off about me.

I turned and left, booking the earliest flight back to Greyport for the next morning.

But in the airport lounge, Cassian intercepted me again.

"The batch of arms Ella traded with the rival faction last night was accused of being tampered with! She's been taken hostage!" He urgently tried to pull me along. "You must have a way to save her."

Looking at his anxious expression, my heart remained eerily calm.

A familiar trick.

In my past life, it was the same. Ella always managed to find herself in "danger" at critical moments, making everyone scramble for her.

And I was always her substitute.