CHAPTER 15

"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Piero Antonio POV

As I stepped into the bustling office, familiar faces greeted me with smiles and nods, but I chose to keep my focus forward, avoiding any unnecessary distractions. My eyes were fixed on the private elevator that would whisk me away to my secluded office.

Entering the elevator, I felt a brief moment of respite as the doors closed, leaving the noise of the office behind. It was a small sanctuary where I could gather my thoughts and prepare for the day ahead.

The elevator carried me swiftly to my designated floor, and as the doors opened, I stepped out into the calm and quiet of my personal workspace.

Jasmine, my dedicated assistant, sat diligently at her desk, engrossed in her work. Upon noticing my arrival, she greeted me warmly, her voice breaking through the silence. I acknowledged her with a nod before making my way towards my office.

Seated behind my desk, I delved into the pile of important documents that awaited my attention. One after another, I reviewed and signed them, each stroke of my pen representing a crucial decision. Time slipped away, and an hour passed in a blur of focused concentration.

Just as I was immersed in my work, Jasmine knocked gently on my office door. I looked up, acknowledging her presence. She informed me about the scheduled meeting with the marketing department, highlighting its importance for the upcoming project. I noted the time, realizing that it was set for 9am.

"Thank you, Jasmine. That will be all for now," I replied, acknowledging her efficiency. She exited the room, leaving me to contemplate the imminent meeting and the matters it entailed.

As the meeting with the marketing department commenced, the room buzzed with energy and ideas. The team presented various layouts and concepts for the upcoming resort project, eager to impress and gain my approval. However, none of the suggestions resonated with my personal vision.

As the presenter continued to speak passionately about the project, my attention waned. I found myself lost in my own thoughts, browsing through the project plan that had been provided. It failed to captivate my interest, and a sense of detachment settled within me.

Suddenly, I felt a vibration in my pocket, indicating an incoming call. Seeing Elio's name on the screen sent a surge of panic through me. I knew he was at home, taking care of our baby, and the unexpected call sparked concern and worry.

Interrupting the presenter mid-sentence, I curtly stated, "Meeting dismissed." My voice lacked emotion, the detachment evident in my tone. The room fell silent, and the marketing team exchanged glances, unsure of how to react.

The presenter's plea for more time fell on deaf ears as my frustration and concern overwhelmed me. Ignoring their protests, I sternly declared, "You're fired, and everyone, get out! Your presentation was subpar, and I have no time for incompetence."

As the room emptied, leaving behind an atmosphere of tension and disbelief, I turned my attention to the call from Elio. The urgency in his voice heightened my anxiety, and I immediately inquired, "Son, what's the matter?"

Elio sighed, clearly exasperated. "Dad, I just wanted to inform you that the princess has a light fever. She was running around in the rain earlier, and I'm going to give her some medicine now," he explained, his frustration evident in his tone.

A wave of guilt washed over me as I realized that my preoccupation with work had led me to neglect the well-being of my own child. The weight of my actions pressed upon my conscience, reminding me of the importance of being present for those who relied on me.

After ending the call with Elio, a sense of urgency filled me as I made my way to Fabiano's office. It was crucial to inform him about the situation at home, as our family's well-being took precedence over business matters. We engaged in a brief conversation, addressing the necessary details before parting ways.

Returning to my office, I settled in, hoping for a momentary respite from the tumultuous events of the day. However, my tranquility was short-lived as Santino, one of my trusted associates, entered the room, a grave expression etched upon his face.

As Santino spoke, the weight of his words settled upon me like a heavy burden. He revealed that a significant amount of money had gone missing from our accounts over the past two months. To add to our troubles, a recent shipment of firearms had been stolen, falling into the hands of the Russian mafia.

My anger flared, and a surge of determination fueled my response. "How the hell did this happen?" I barked, my voice filled with frustration. "Contact Jander immediately and have him investigate who dared to steal from us."

Santino speak. "I have a few leads and suspicions, boss. I will work closely with Jander to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible face the consequences."

I leaned back in my chair, contemplating the gravity of the situation. The theft and the loss of trust within our organization posed a threat not only to our finances but also to our reputation. Swift and decisive action was required to restore order and send a clear message that such transgressions would not be tolerated.

As Santino mentioned the possibility of a mole within our organization, a flicker of concern passed through me. It was imperative to identify and root out any traitors who threatened the integrity of our operation. I nodded in acknowledgment, trusting in his capabilities to uncover the truth.

His next words, however, took a darker turn. "Natalie and John have already been captured and are in the basement," he declared, a sinister edge creeping into his voice. A twisted smile formed on my face, mirroring his wickedness. Justice was being served, and their presence would serve as a stark reminder to others who dared to betray us.

In a swift motion, I reached for my phone and dialed my secretary, instructing her to cancel all my appointments for the day. It was time to prioritize the affairs within my domain and revel in the satisfaction of dealing with those who had crossed our path.

I gathered my sons together, sharing the news of our successful captures. Their eyes lit up with a mix of anticipation and delight, knowing that justice was being meted out to those who had caused harm to our Princess. They were eager to partake in the events unfolding in our home.

As John's blindfold was removed, his eyes widened in both shock and anger. His voice reverberated through the room as he shouted, "Who the fuck are you?"

A smirk played across my face as I met his gaze, relishing in the power I held over him. "Hello, my friend," I replied calmly, savoring the tension that hung in the air. "How are you?"

John's confusion quickly transformed into defiance. "I've already paid my debt, Mr. Caruso. What the fuck is this?" he spat, his voice dripping with defiance. Natalie flinched, clearly aware of the implications my name carried.

I leaned closer, my eyes locked with John's. "Indeed, you may have settled your financial debts, but you still owe me a debt that can only be repaid with your life," I stated coldly, the weight of my words hanging heavily in the air.

A hushed whisper escaped Natalie's lips, her voice trembling. "Isla is his daughter," she revealed, her words carrying the weight of a secret.

"I trusted you when you told me that that Bbitch father is dead," John said, his voice filled with anger, earning a hard glare from Alessandro.

"You don't have the right to call my sister a bitch," Alessandro retorted, his fists clenched in frustration.

"You will pay for every bruise and wound inflicted upon her body tenfold," Alessandro seethed, his rage boiling over. "And Natalie, welcome to a world of torment.

You should have had the decency to tell me from the start that I have a daughter. Perhaps then, I might have shown you some mercy. But you chose to be a selfish coward."

In that moment, my fury took hold. I reached for my favorite weapon, a knife that had witnessed many acts of retribution, and I plunged it into John's side, silencing his words of deceit. The pain he experienced would pale in comparison to the torment he had caused my sister.

Turning my attention to Natalie, her betrayal burned within me like a raging fire. With an open palm, I struck her across the face, the force of the blow leaving a red mark upon her cheek. It was a reminder of the consequences of her actions, a taste of the suffering she had invited into her own life.

Don't kill them immediately to make sure that they suffer. After that, I leave my sons to their devices, to enact upon those wretched souls the punishment they deserve.

The sound of their agonized screams fills the air, a symphony of pain that brings a sinister smile to my lips. Their suffering, their torment, is a sweet melody that resonates with my twisted satisfaction.

As I made my way upstairs, my mind still consumed by the satisfaction of their suffering, I entered my room and washed away the blood that stained my body.

Cleansed of their filth, I went to Elio's room, where Belle lay coiled up in the quilt, her screams echoing through the air. My heart clenched at the sight of her distress.

I approached her cautiously, my voice gentle as I called out her name, trying to rouse her from her nightmares. But her eyes remained closed, as if trapped in the grips of a terrifying dream. I reached out, attempting to awaken her, but she only flinched away from my touch, her fear palpable.

My heart shattered at the realization that my precious Vita Mia, my own flesh and blood, saw me as a threat. "Vita Mia, open your eyes," I pleaded, my voice laced with desperation. "It's Papa. I would never hurt you."

I continued to speak soothing words, my voice a tender whisper, desperately urging her to trust me once more. But the fear in her eyes persisted, as she pleaded with me not to hurt her. Each word she uttered pierced my soul, a painful reminder of the damage done.

"Vita Mia, please open your eyes," I implored, my voice laced with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "It's not real, my love. I will protect you, just as I have always promised."

The weight of her fear bore heavily upon me, a burden I never wished her to carry. But I would not waver

As Belle opened her tear-filled eyes, her cries pierced the air, and her little hands reached out, seeking solace and comfort. I held her close, gently wiping away her tears, my heart breaking at her distress.

"It's okay, my love, don't cry," I murmured, my voice soothing and tender. "Papa is here, and I will always protect you from anyone."

She clung to my shirt tightly, her grip so fierce that her knuckles turned white. The weight of her fear and vulnerability washed over me, igniting a fierce protectiveness within me. I stroked her hair lovingly, my voice filled with reassurance.

"No one will harm you, my precious one. I promise you, Sir will never get to you. You are safe with me," I said, my words laced with determination. "I will keep you far away from any harm."

Her cries began to subside as I held her, my arms providing a cocoon of safety and warmth. I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, silently conveying my unwavering love and commitment.

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