They Humiliated the Plus-Size Maid for Protecting a Shivering Girl—Then Her “Poor Father” Revealed He Was the Mafia King Who Owned the Hotel Empire

Panic erupted across the ballroom. Guests screamed and dove under tables, shattering crystal glasses and knocking over champagne towers.

"Nobody move!" shouted the leader of the attackers, stepping through the broken terrace glass. It was Don Valenti—the head of the rival family—flanked by a dozen heavily armed mercenaries.

Beside Don Valenti stood Viktor Rostov, Luca’s own Underboss.

Luca immediately shielded Clara behind his broad frame, his eyes turning cold as ice as he spotted his second-in-command standing next to his greatest enemy.

"Viktor," Luca said, his voice terrifyingly calm despite the guns pointed at his chest. "I see you finally showed your true colors."

Viktor laughed harshly, adjusting his suit jacket. "You broke the rules, Luca! You came back from your three-year exile soft, caring about children and fat maids! The Bellandi empire needs a wolf, not a family man!"

"You betrayed your oath for Valenti?" Luca asked, stepping slowly in front of Clara as his own loyal men secretly took up defensive positions around the perimeter of the room.

"Valenti gave me fifty percent of the docks," Viktor sneered. "All I have to do is put a bullet in your head tonight, and the city is ours."

Don Valenti stepped forward, raising his polished silver revolver, aiming it directly at Luca’s heart. "Say goodbye to your empire, Bellandi."

Clara’s heart stopped. She couldn't let them kill Luca. Without thinking, driven by an overwhelming surge of love and instinct, Clara threw her body in front of Luca just as Valenti pulled the trigger.