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Chapter 3

Isabella clutched her lightly twisted wrist, playing her role with exaggerated tremors. "Marco... my wrist still hurts... she practically assaulted me... I might need a doctor... and compensation for the injury..."

Marco straightened his jacket and approached me like a Don delivering judgment. "Valentina Russo, you refuse to leave peacefully, and you dare lay hands on a member of my organization? You will apologize to Isabella, right now."

He paused, then added sharply, "And you will pay whatever compensation she demands."

Isabella perked up instantly. "Medical treatment isn't cheap. And maybe something extra for emotional distress. Let's start with... a hundred thousand dollars?"

Associates gasped audibly.

"That's insane—"

"She can't afford that—"

"No one survives angering Sangue Nero."

Isabella, thrilled by the attention, raised her chin. "Apologize. If you don't, we'll make sure you're blacklisted from every family event in the territories."

At that moment, a tall man in a dark suit hurried over. The gold pin on his lapel read Mediator of The Commission.

"Please, everyone calm down. We received a report of a disturbance—"

Marco cut him off coldly. "No need to investigate. Just remove her."

He pointed at me. "Escort her out. She doesn't belong in the VIP lounge."

The Mediator hesitated. "Don Marco... she does have a valid Commission invitation—"

Marco stepped closer. "I don't care. Revoke it. Then blacklist her from this succession and all future ceremonies. Permanently."

"Permanently?"

Several associates stared, stunned.

Isabella smirked, arms crossed. "Some people don't know their place. Being banned from family ceremonies is a mercy."

A male associate leaned toward me and whispered, "Just apologize... You really can't fight Sangue Nero."

I looked at the chaotic, arrogant spectacle in front of me and let out a soft, amused laugh.

Marco frowned. "What are you laughing at?"

"Just thinking," I said, meeting his eyes. "If Sangue Nero can treat me like this... then I can also make this entire succession shut down."

Isabella burst out laughing. "You? Shut down a succession ceremony? Who do you think you are, the Godmother herself?"

Marco smirked. "Go ahead. Try."

I pulled out my encrypted phone—but this time, I called The Commission's emergency line.

A stern, commanding voice filled the hall through the sound system, audible to every high-ranking member present.

"Commissioner Russo? Have you arrived at the succession? The Commission is waiting to confirm your presence for the legitimization ritual."

"I've encountered a problem," I said calmly into the phone.

"What problem?"

I looked straight at Marco and Isabella. "Someone tried to remove me from my Commission-assigned seat and threatened to blacklist me permanently from all family territories. I'd like to know how The Commission wants me to handle this."