Chapter 0229
As | do, Kent turns to re at me, for just a moment, his expression clearlymunicating you''re going to pay for that.
| just blink up at him for a second, my fierce eyes saying I’d better.
And then I turn back to Daniel, smiling at him and joining in on theughter even though | have no idea what was just said.
When desertes, we''re all stuffed. Too stuffed, really, to do justice to the incredible apple tart that’s ced in front of us and
served family-style with cinnamon ice cream. We each take a few bites but concentrate, instead, on the cups of espresso that
are served with the final part of the meal, each of us needing a little perk after so much wine and food.
“That was delicious,” Daniel says, leaning back against his chair and groaning, holding his little espresso cup in hisrge palm.
“It was,” | agree, smiling at him and then turning my smile politely to Natalia, who hasn’t said a word to me all night. “Thank you
so much for organizing this,” | say. “It really was special.”
“Yes,” she says, sighing contentedly and holding my gaze. “I thought you deserved a final treat.”
| go still and feel Daniel and Kent sit up on either side of me, turning their attention to her. Neither say anything though, leaving it
tome.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
“Pardon?” | ask, cocking my head to the side just an inch and forcing myself to raise my espresso to my mouth, taking a little sip
and not letting my hand shudder, not a bit.
Apparently, | think to myself, my first instinct was right. This dinner is about me. Natalia’s just trying to kill two birds with one
stone.
“Fay,” Natalia says, ncing at Alessi for support, and I’m shocked to see him sigh as if in resignation. “It has been so wonderful
to have a chance to get to know you, my dear. But unfortunately, we as a family have some bad news.”
“What are you talking about, Natalia?” Kent says, doing his best to keep his voice even but failing at keeping the anger and
anxiety out of it. | nce at him and see the surprise and suspicion on his face, gratified to see that he, at least, was not in on
this.
“Alessi and | have been consulting,” she says, looking at Alessi again, “with each other, as with the family in Italy.” She turns
back to Kent then, speaking only to him, as if this is not about me at all. “We havee to a decision,” she says, definitely, “that
it is time for the Lippert family to end their association with the Aldens.”
Alessi breaks in here, his voice just as sorry as Natalia’s. “Kent, Fay, Daniel — we are sorry to say it, but we have assessed the
atmosphere here, and Alden is the weak link. If you wish to continue receiving the support of the Bianci family,” he continues,
looking to Kent now, “then we would oblige you to...”
He sighs here, ncing at me a little guilty, as if he’s finally realizing that he’s talking about my father, not some stranger, “we will
require that you take Alden out,” he finishes.
My mouth really does drop open now as | realize that Alessi — Daniel’s uncle, this man who has really been kind to me — has just
casually ordered that my father be murdered.
Continuing, Alessi breathing out
sharply through his nose. “We believe
that the best move for the Li
family is otake over @en’s
indUstt s for yourself. We believe
that if you do so, you will re-establish
yourself as the power in the
Americas, and that the other families
will fall in line beneath us.” Please
read the original content at
NovelDrama.Org.
“Beneath you, you mean,” Kent
growls, and | look up atpim,cOl?!
e-eyedh t sage on his face.
Please read the original content at
NovelDrama.Org.
“Beneath. Us.” Natalia says, quite
clear about the inflection. An cay
she ee out to pléether and on
Kent’ ubtly implying, | think, that
she is part of the deal. Please read
the original content at
NovelDrama.Org.
And | snap my mouth shut as | realize precisely what just happened.
I''m out.
Natalia’s in.
And this dinner is my final farewell.