Chapter 2

Vivian clearly wasn't planning to let me off that easily.

"Actually..." She bit her lip, looking conflicted. "I really do think Ms. Isabella is the woman in that video. Because the background was the presidential suite at the Westin Hotel, with those distinctive floor-to-ceiling windows. I remember it very clearly."

She spoke with such precision, as if she had witnessed something firsthand.

"And there was a black Rolls-Royce Phantom parked at the hotel's back entrance. New York plates. The first three characters were NYE."

My fingers traced the rim of my glass.

The location, the car model—everything matched.

That night, I had indeed met with my seventy-year-old father, Carlos, to discuss family business. After the meeting, I had stayed at the hotel to handle some paperwork.

But that was all.

There was no scandalous video.

"Vivian!" Emily pretended to stop her. "You can't give such specific details! What if viewers actually go looking?"

"I'm so sorry!" Vivian waved her hands frantically, though calculation gleamed in her eyes. "I just have a really good memory. Everyone, please don't take it seriously! That video must have been deleted by now—after all, it involves the Romano family..."

She trailed off mid-sentence, then covered her mouth as if she had let something slip.

The comments exploded:

*The Romano family?! Oh my God!*

*So she really is connected to the mafia?*

*No wonder the video was deleted. The Romano family's reach is no joke*

*Does anyone remember that video? I think I really did see it!*

*Me too! Then I couldn't find it anymore!*

I noticed the chat suddenly filling with comments "confirming" they had seen the video.

These accounts all wrote in identical patterns—obviously bots that Vivian had arranged in advance.

This move was vicious.

Using paid commenters to create "collective memory," making a nonexistent video seem "real." Even if it was later debunked, some people would insist, "I definitely saw it."

"Ms. Drew," I finally spoke, my voice terrifyingly calm. "You might want to think very carefully about what you're saying."

Vivian acted startled, stepping back. "Ms. Isabella, please don't be upset. I really was just rambling. I didn't mean any harm..."

"No harm?" I laughed coldly. "But you provided such precise details—location, car model—and you claim no harm?"

"I... I just have a good memory..."

"Good enough to fabricate lies?" I stepped toward her. "Let me warn you—there are consequences for careless words. After all, a lie is still a lie."

Vivian's eyes flickered, a hint of fear showing through. "Are you threatening me? If it wasn't you, why are you so worked up?"

"You can keep lying," I said with a mocking smile. "As long as you can handle the consequences."

The comments shifted again:

*Holy shit! She's fighting back!*

*Ms. Isabella doesn't seem like someone to mess with*

Seeing public opinion starting to turn, Vivian immediately squeezed out tears. "Ms. Isabella, why are you being so aggressive? I was really just trying to help clear your name..."

"You're getting so defensive—is it because I'm telling the truth?"

"Help clear my name?" I looked at her coldly. "Then tell me—how exactly were you planning to do that?"

"I..." Vivian bit her lip, then suddenly brightened as if struck by inspiration. "How about... I call my boyfriend right now and have him find out the truth?"

I laughed coldly.

Call Marco to prove that his mother was having an affair with his grandfather?

Brilliant idea.

"My boyfriend is Marco Romano," Vivian smiled sweetly at the camera. "He's the son of Vincenzo Romano. The new Don of the Romano family. He'll definitely help me get to the bottom of this."

*What?! Her boyfriend is Marco Romano?!*

*Oh my God! The new Don of the Romano family!*

*This girl landed herself a golden goose*

Vivian had already pulled out her phone and was dialing in front of everyone.

It rang twice before connecting.

"Baby?"

Marco's voice came through the speaker, dripping with affection.

I closed my eyes.

That foolish boy.

"Marco..." Vivian's voice immediately turned pitiful. "Someone's bullying me..."

"What?!" Marco's voice instantly turned furious. "Who dares bully you?!"

"It's... it's another guest at tonight's charity gala." Vivian sniffled. "She said I was making things up, called me an attention-seeking influencer, said I wasn't good enough for you..."

I had never said she was an attention-seeking influencer.

But I didn't need to argue—the truth was being recorded this entire time.

"She said what?!" Marco's voice trembled with rage. "Wait there. I'm coming right now!"

"You don't have to, Marco. I'm fine..." Vivian said with feigned reluctance, even as her eyes gleamed triumphantly at me.

"Just wait!" Marco had already hung up.

The comments went crazy:

*Oh my God! The young master is coming!*

*This is going to be good!*

*Isabella is done for. She's offended the future mafia Don.*

Vivian put away her phone, victory shining in her eyes.

Emily chimed in helpfully. "Should we take a break? Wait for Mr. Marco to arrive before continuing?"

"No need." I said coldly. "I want to see exactly how my son handles this."

At this point, I no longer felt the need to hide my identity.

It was obvious this was just the doing of a petty, competitive woman—nothing to do with mafia interests.

The smile froze on Vivian's face.

"You... what did you say?"

I looked at her and spoke each word clearly. "I said, Vivian Drew, do you have any idea who you've been humiliating?"

"You've been humiliating Isabella Romano."

"The wife of Vincenzo Romano."

"The mother of Marco Romano."

The entire venue fell into deathly silence.