Chapter 16The pre-dawn darkness blanketed the Moretti estate as Vincent laced up his running shoes.Five o'clock in the morning—the city was still asleep, the air cool and crisp with the promise of sunrise.To anyone watching, he appeared to be simply maintaining a fitness routine.But Vincent's morning runs served a different purpose entirely.As he jogged along the perimeter of the estate, his trained eyes cataloged every detail—newly disturbed earth near the wall, fresh tire tracks on the service road, unfamiliar cigarette butts near the garden gate.His counterintelligence network had already informed him that Giovanni Benedetti had assigned surveillance on him, tracking his movements and routines.Vincent had been expecting retaliation. He'd simply been waiting for Giovanni to make the first move.Today, apparently, was that day.He spotted them about twenty minutes into his run—six men emerging from the morning shadows, spreading out to block the narrow path that ran along the

Gianna's hands clenched into fists at her sides as she stared at Vincent. "I didn't marry you so you could go around beating up everyone I don't like!""I wasn't aware that was a concern when you drafted the contract," Vincent replied calmly."Don't be smart with me!" Gianna's voice rose sharply. "Besides, I didn't even know you were capable of all... that!" She gestured vaguely, encompassing the violence of the past few days."There's a lot you don't know about me," Vincent said quietly."Clearly!" Gianna paced across the foyer, her agitation evident in every movement. "Look, defying the Benedetti family by getting married was one thing. But actively poking the bear? Going to their house and threatening Giovanni? That's something else entirely!""He sent men to break my bones," Vincent pointed out. "I simply returned the favor with a message.""And now we're in even deeper trouble!" Gianna whirled to face him. "Don't you understand? The last thing I wanted was to escalate this situat

The conference room at Moretti Accounting occupied the top floor of a modest but respectable office building.Gianna had spent the drive reviewing her presentation, drilling key points, and forcing her mind away from both the debt crisis and her increasingly complicated husband.The representative from Strong Inc arrived exactly on time—Marcus Chen, a sharp-eyed businessman in his fifties with a reputation for being both fair and demanding."Miss Moretti," he greeted her with a firm handshake. "Thank you for accommodating our schedule change.""Not at all," Gianna replied smoothly. "We're flexible and eager to serve Strong Inc's needs."The presentation went better than she'd dared hope. Gianna was in her element, showcasing her firm's capabilities, demonstrating their competitive advantages, and articulating exactly how they could handle Strong Inc's complex accounting requirements.Marcus asked pointed questions, and Gianna answered each one with confidence and precision. Sophia sat

Rocco laughed, moving toward the door with leisurely confidence. "Your life? Gianna, I'm just getting started with you. Every deal you try to make, every client you try to land—I'll be there. Making better offers, stealing your opportunities, destroying everything you try to build.""Why?" Gianna's voice broke. "Why are you doing this?""Because your worthless husband broke my finger and humiliated me in front of my entire family," Rocco replied coldly. "And now you're going to pay for his mistakes. Every. Single. Day."With that final threat, Rocco and his associates left, leaving Gianna alone with Sophia and the wreckage of her dreams.Back at the Moretti villa, Vincent had spent the afternoon perfecting his herbal paste. The mixture was smooth and fragrant, the medicinal herbs blended with lavender and chamomile to create a pleasant scent that masked the more pungent healing ingredients.He was just finishing the final preparations when he heard the front door slam with enough forc

"Kevin is still interested in you," Giovanni said, as if offering a generous gift. "Despite everything, despite your poor judgment and rebellion, he's willing to overlook your mistakes."Gianna's laugh was bitter. "How magnanimous of him.""Mock if you want, but it's the truth," Giovanni continued. "Our families are prepared to take care of you, Gianna. You don't need to struggle and strive like some desperate commoner. You just need to fall in line.""Fall in line," Gianna repeated slowly. "You mean give up my independence, my business, my choices—everything that makes me who I am.""I mean accept your place in the natural order," Giovanni corrected. "Marry Kevin, unite our families properly, and all this unpleasantness goes away. Strong Inc becomes your client again, the debt crisis disappears, and you get to live the comfortable life you were always meant to have.""And if I refuse?"Giovanni's smile was cold and cruel. "Then short of divorcing Vincent and agreeing to marry Kevin,