Chapter 1

I had just been invited to appear at a livestreamed charity gala alongside Vivian Drew, an influencer under my son Marco's company. I was about to greet her when she tilted her head and said something utterly outrageous.

"You look so familiar, ma'am. Like the woman from that private video I saw."

"The one with the seventy-year-old man. You know... the S&M thing."

The comments section exploded:

*Holy shit! What is she saying?!*

*Oh my God, this woman looks so elegant and refined, but behind closed doors she's into THAT?*

*Is she into old guys or something?! If it's about money, hit me up!*

The chat devolved into chaos. The host coughed awkwardly.

Vivian quickly covered her mouth. "Oh no, I must have you confused with someone else. Someone as elegant as you could never do something so... low-class."

"I was just babbling. Don't take it seriously, everyone."

I smiled. "No, you've got the right person."

"When you and Marco discussed your engagement, you even called me 'Mom.'"

……

I had accepted an old friend's invitation to attend a livestreamed charity gala as a mystery VIP guest.

Twenty years.

Since Vincenzo's death, I had never appeared in public under my real identity as Isabella Romano.

To protect me, Vincenzo had never revealed my existence to the outside world while he was alive. Everyone assumed the Don's wife was just a trophy—a woman who hid behind the scenes, enjoying her wealth and privilege.

They didn't know that half the brilliant strategies attributed to Vincenzo had actually come from me.

And they certainly didn't know that for the past twenty years, this widow who never showed her face was the one keeping the family running.

"Ms. Isabella, you look absolutely radiant this evening." The host, Emily Walker, greeted me with a beaming smile.

I returned her smile.

The livestream had just begun, and the comments were already flooding in:

*Oh my God! Who is she? That presence is incredible!*

*This kind of classical elegance is rare even among royalty*

*Someone tell me who she is! Which family is she from?*

Emily guided me onto the stage, where another guest was already waiting.

Vivian Drew.

My son Marco's girlfriend.

Three months ago, when Marco brought her to the estate to discuss their engagement, we had met briefly over video call. She had called me "Mrs. Romano" in such a sweet voice, her eyes clear, her smile innocent.

But tonight, the moment she saw me, something flickered in her gaze that I knew all too well.

Greed.

And jealousy.

"Ms. Isabella," Vivian tilted her head to look at me, her voice honeyed. "You look so familiar. Like the woman in a video I saw on social media."

I picked up my champagne and took an elegant sip.

"Oh? What video?"

Vivian covered her mouth, feigning surprise. "Well... it was... the one with the seventy-year-old man... the S&M thing..."

"In a hotel room..." Vivian continued, malice glinting in her eyes. "Pressed up against the floor-to-ceiling window."

The chat exploded:

*Holy shit! What is she saying?!*

*Oh my God, this woman looks so elegant and refined, but behind closed doors she's into THAT?*

*Is she into old guys or something?! If it's about money, hit me up!*

A flash of schadenfreude crossed Emily's face, but she quickly composed herself. "Vivian, you can't just say things like that."

Vivian waved her hands frantically. "Oh no, I'm so sorry! I must have you confused with someone else! How could Ms. Isabella possibly be that kind of... that kind of woman kept by an old man!"

Her words were carefully crafted.

On the surface, she was denying it. In reality, she had splashed all the mud right onto me.

The comments were already spiraling:

*What does she mean by "that kind of woman"? What's she trying to say?*

*Smells like drama*

*Does anyone remember that video? I think I've actually seen it*

I set down my glass and smiled at Vivian. "Ms. Drew, surely you must be mistaken?"

"I don't think so," Vivian widened her eyes, the picture of innocence. "I just watched that video yesterday. I remember it was posted by a blogger called 'Ultimate Experience.'"

Then she quickly covered her mouth again. "Oh no! Did I say too much? Everyone, please don't go searching for it! That kind of video must have been taken down by now!"

I narrowed my eyes.

This girl was no amateur.

She had provided just enough precise information to guide viewers to search and dig into my background. But at the same time, she maintained the façade of an innocent slip-up that no one could fault her for.

When we met three months ago, I had sensed something off about her. But Marco was head over heels at the time, and I hadn't wanted to interfere with his relationship.

Now it seemed my instincts had been right.

"Vivian," I smiled as I spoke. "Do you know who I am?"

She looked confused. "You're tonight's mystery guest."

"I mean," I leaned closer and lowered my voice, "three months ago, at the Romano estate, you called me 'Mom.'"

Vivian's pupils contracted instantly.

But she recovered fast, immediately putting on a bewildered expression. "Ms. Isabella, what are you talking about? I've never been to any Romano estate."

She turned to the camera, all innocence. "Everyone can be my witness. I've really never been there. This lady must have me confused with someone else."

The comments scrolled by:

*??? What's going on*

*Romano estate? Isn't that mafia territory?*

*This plot is getting confusing*

I took a deep breath.

I couldn't reveal my identity here.

The moment I admitted to being the widow of the Romano family's Don, this charity gala would turn into a circus.

More importantly, the world would find out exactly what kind of girlfriend Marco had chosen.

That would damage his reputation and tarnish the family's image.

"Perhaps I was mistaken," I said with a smile. "My apologies."

A gleam of triumph flashed in Vivian's eyes.

"It's quite all right," she said softly. "Actually... I really do think Ms. Isabella looks just like the woman in that video. But I'm sure you're not that kind of person, right?"

These words were even more devastating.

She was implying I was indeed the woman in the video while pretending to believe otherwise.

The comments had gone wild:

*So is it her or not?*

*Vivian never lies. This has to be true.*

*Did anyone check? Is there really a video?*

Emily chimed in at the perfect moment. "All right, all right, let's not discuss this anymore. Tonight is about charity. Let's focus on that."

But there was no sincerity in her words, and her eyes kept darting toward me, as if watching a show.

I understood now.

Emily knew Vivian. She was helping Vivian humiliate me.

But why?

I had only met Vivian once, and I was her boyfriend's mother. Why would she target me like this?

Unless... she was a pawn for a rival mafia family.

In the world of the mafia, once you suspect something, you either confirm it or eliminate it.

I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Antonio.

Antonio was my husband Vincenzo's most trusted aide during his lifetime, and now the capable deputy who helped me manage family affairs.

*Check the surveillance footage from the Prasa Hotel that night. Also, I want everything on Vivian Drew. The more detailed, the better.*

A few seconds later, my phone buzzed.

*Understood, ma'am. Do you need me there now?*

*No. Let me see how far this little show goes.*

I put away my phone and raised my glass again.

Vivian was still playing the victim for the camera. "I really didn't mean it. I was just rambling..."

The comments were all consoling her:

*Vivian is so kind*

*This is Isabella's problem, right?*

*Yeah, if she's really innocent, why won't she explain herself?*

I smiled.

Little girl, the game has only just begun.