Chapter 20
My heart clenched as Primo strode in, but the real knife twisted when I saw Yesha behind him. My supposed best friend wore. an emerald dress that highlighted her curves, her smile bright as sunshine – and just as false.
“Vincent, what an honor.” Primo’s voice carried that familiar commanding tone as he approached the table. His eyes flickered
to me for a fraction of a second before
moving on.
Yesha maintained a careful distance from him as she offered her greetings, playing her part perfectly. “Mr. Castellano, you look wonderful. Those Italian summers clearly agree with you.”
I kept my face neutral as they took their seats – Primo settling directly across from Adrian, while Yesha sat opposite me. The table arrangement felt like some cosmic. joke, forcing me to stare at the woman
80% 19.08
1/9
Chapter 20
who’d betrayed me while pretending. nothing was wrong.
My father and Vincent remained oblivious to the undercurrents of tension, chatting about their recent business ventures. Yesha leaned forward, her smile warm as she addressed me.
“Asteria, darling, this setup is gorgeous. You always had an eye for detail.”
I returned her smile with practiced ease, though bile rose in my throat. “Thank you, Yesha. I’m glad you could join us.”
Across the table, Adrian and Primo sized each other up with the careful neutrality of apex predators sharing territory. The air crackled with unspoken hostility.
Servants glided in with the first course as Vincent raised his glass. “To new partnerships and friends.”
We all lifted our glasses. It was a perfect. tableau of civility masking secrets that could tear everything apart. I caught
80% 1906
2/9
Chapter 20
Adrian’s eye briefly, drawing strength from his steady presence as the charade began.
Vincent set down his glass, his weathered face creasing with a smile. “The Mitchell family has always shown remarkable discretion in their dealings. And the Chromos – well, your reputation precedes you, Primo.”
I kept
11
expression carefully blank as
Primo leaned forward, radiating
confidence. “We’ve worked hard to earn your trust, Vincent. The expansion of our shipping routes through Naples last year proved quite beneficial for both parties.”
My father nodded approvingly while Adrian remained still beside me, his presence a quiet anchor. I could feel the calculated way he observed every
movement, every word.
“Indeed.” Primo’s smile widened. “Which is why I believe a union between our families would cement something truly remarkable. My marriage to Asteria would align three
80% 19:08
3/9
Chapter 20
powerful dynasties.” He gestured between himself and my father. “The Mitchell- Chromos alliance would be worthy of joining the Big Five, don’t you agree?”
My stomach turned to ice, but I maintained. my composure, taking a slow sip of wine. My father’s eyes lit up at the prospect, clearly pleased with Primo’s suggestion.
Vincent stroked his chin thoughtfully. “A strategic match. The younger generation securing the future – I like it.” He raised his glass again. “The Big Five could use fresh blood.”
My father reached across to clasp Primo’s shoulder. “This could work wonderfully for all of us.”
I felt Adrian’s leg press against mine under the table. Yesha’s smile had taken on a brittle quality.
I gripped my wine glass tighter, knuckles white against the crystal stem.
Adrian’s voice cut through the tension like
80% 19:06
4/9
Chapter 20
a blade. “Fascinating proposal. Though I believe the Mitchell family now already has
strong ties to the Big Five through the Castellanos‘ art dealings.” He took a
measured sip of wine. “In fact, I recently brokered several pieces between your families that proved quite… illuminating.”
Primo’s confident smile faltered for a split second. “Art dealings?”
“Yes. Including that rather controversial Caravaggio that disappeared from Naples last spring.” Adrian’s gray eyes met Primo’s with calculated precision. “The one that somehow reappeared in your private collection after the insurance paid out. Quite the coincidence.”
The color drained from Primo’s face. That particular transaction had been kept strictly confidential knowledge of it could implicate multiple parties in insurance fraud.
Vincent leaned forward, suddenly very interested. “I wasn’t aware of any
30% 19:06
5/9
Chapter 201
a blade. “Fascinating proposal. Though I believe the Mitchell family now already has
strong ties to the Big Five through the Castellanos‘ art dealings.” He took a measured sip of wine. “In fact, I recently brokered several pieces between your families that proved quite… illuminating.”
Primo’s confident smile faltered for a split second. “Art dealings?”
“Yes. Including that rather controversial Caravaggio that disappeared from Naples last spring.” Adrian’s gray eyes met Primo’s with calculated precision. “The one that somehow reappeared in your private collection after the insurance paid out. Quite the coincidence.”
The color drained from Primo’s face. That
particular transaction had been kept strictly confidential – knowledge of it could implicate multiple parties in insurance. fraud.
Vincent leaned forward, suddenly very interested. “I wasn’t aware of any
80% 19:06
5/9
Chapter 20
Caravaggio changing hands recently.”
“An oversight, I’m sure,” Adrian said smoothly. “Though it does make one wonder what other business dealings might have slipped through the cracks.”
I watched Primo’s jaw clench as he realized his carefully orchestrated moment had been derailed. The implied threat in Adrian’s words was clear – he knew far
more than he should about the Chromos family’s operations.
Yesha’s eyes darted between them, her practiced smile slipping as she recognized the shift in power at the table.
My father cleared his throat, clearly sensing the undercurrent but unable to pinpoint its source. “Perhaps we should discuss the art market another time.”
“Of course,” Adrian agreed pleasantly. “After all, we wouldn’t want any hasty decisions about… partnerships being made without full transparency.”
B0% 19:06
6/9
Chapter 20
You genius, I thought, fighting back a smile as Primo’s composure cracked. The man who always had an answer sat speechless, his knuckles white around his wine glass.
“Something wrong, Primo?” Adrian’s tone remained light, pleasant even. “You seem troubled.”
“Not at all.” Primo recovered quickly, but I caught the flash of uncertainty in his eyes. “Though I’m curious how an art dealer came across such… specific information.”
“One hears things in my line of work. The art world is surprisingly small.”
Vincent leaned in. “I’d love to hear more about this Caravaggio. The insurance company involved was-”
“Perhaps another time,” my father cut in, clearly trying to salvage the situation. “We were discussing future arrangements-”
“Yes, let’s focus on that.” Yesha’s smile was strained. “Primo’s proposal is quite generous.”
80% 19.06
7/9
Chapter 20
I couldn’t help myself. “Is it? Seems more
like a business transaction than a
proposal.”
“Asteria,” my father warned.
“No, she’s right.” Adrian set down his glass. “Marriage should be about more than strategic alliances. Though I understand Mr. Chromos has experience in that area.” Primo’s eyes narrowed. “Meaning?”
“The Foster family merger last spring? The one that fell through rather… dramatically?”
My head snapped to Yesha, whose face had gone pale. That explained why she’d disappeared for three months last year. Her sister’s marriage had failed such way, the same way mine would have if I hadn’t found out about their betrayal.
“You’re remarkably well–informed for someone who deals primarily in paintings, Mr. Constantine.” Primo’s voice carried an edge.
80% 19:06
8/9
Chapter 20
“Information is its own kind of art,
wouldn’t you say?”
The exchange left me reeling. Who was Adrian really? How did he know these carefully guarded secrets? I’d thought I had him figured out, but now…
“If you’ll excuse me.” Yesha stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “I need some air.”
Primo didn’t even glance her way, his attention fixed on Adrian like a predator assessing a threat.
You might also like
Ten Years of Lies
One Final Goodbye
Ten Years of Lies, One Final Goodbye
Regina
NE ACCEPTED THE ARRANGED Mammage Planned for Me
After My Boyfriend Neglected Me, I A…
Morning Dew
The Lie of Marriage
Leave Hi
The Lie of
Marriage: Leave…
