🔥 THE HUMILIATED MAID’S TODDLER PAINTED FLOWERS ON THE SLEEPING MAFIA BOSS—THEN HE CLAIMED HER MOTHER AS HIS BRIDE WHEN HIS OWN FAMILY FRAMED HER FOR MURDER

"I am the head of the Moretti family," Alessandro barked, his eyes flashing with lethal danger. "I do not answer to you, Julian. Under our tradition, the wife of the Capo cannot be questioned, arrested, or handed over to civilian authorities without my explicit written consent. If the police want her, they will have to go through my army."

Sophia felt as if the room were spinning. His wife?

She stared at the side of Alessandro’s sharp jaw, where faint traces of yellow paint still remained. This wasn't a fairy tale. This was a deal with the devil. But as she looked at Julian’s vicious eyes, she realized the truth: Julian wanted her dead or in prison to prove Alessandro was weak, or perhaps to cover up a much darker secret Marcus possessed.

"This is madness," Julian muttered, backing away slowly while glaring at Sophia with pure venom. "The Council will hear about this, Alessandro. You’re trading your crown for a broken woman and her bastard."

"If you ever speak about her daughter in that tone again," Alessandro said softly, drawing a sleek black pistol from his inner coat pocket and resting it on the table, "I will personally paint this room with your brains. Get out."

Julian swallowed hard, turned on his heel, and stormed out of the hall, his guards trailing nervously behind him.

The heavy oak doors slammed shut. Silence fell over the room once more.

Sophia collapsed into an armchair, her strength completely spent. Emma crawled into her lap, burying her tiny face into her mother’s neck.

"Thank you... thank you," Sophia sobbed, clutching her daughter. "I don't know why you did that, but thank you."

"Do not thank me yet, Sophia," Alessandro said, his tone turning cold and professional as he holstered his weapon. "This is not a romantic gesture. It is a strategic defense."

He walked over to his desk, pulled out a thick document from a locked drawer, and tossed it in front of her.

"This is a contractual marriage agreement," Alessandro explained coldly. "In exchange for my name, my legal protection, and a life of absolute security for your daughter, you will play the role of my devoted wife in front of the press, the police, and my family."

Sophia looked at the legal papers. "And what happens to me?"

"You live in this estate as the mistress of the house," Alessandro replied, staring down at her. "You will be safe. But you will also be a target. Julian will not stop here. He wants my throne, and he thinks using you is the fastest way to tear me down."

"Why frame me?" Sophia asked, her voice shaking. "I'm nobody. Marcus was a deadbeat gambler who owes half the city money. Why would Julian care about him?"

Alessandro leaned against his desk, crossing his arms. "Marcus wasn't just a gambler. Three years ago, right before you left him, he worked as a low-level courier for my late father. He stole a ledger before he disappeared. A ledger that contains every corrupt politician, judge, and family member who betrayed the Moretti empire."