Sure enough, he noticed Isabe’s face turning deathly pale in an instant, and she seemed lost in great agony.


    What in the world is going on? Emanuele wondered. Weren’t they family? How could that woman and her family have caused Isabe so much distress? He watched as Isabe appeared paralyzed with fear, unable to even breathe, as though she might faint at any moment.


    Emanuele quickly said, “I was just joking. Look at you, how you got so scared.”


    In response, Isabe lifted her head and angrily snapped, “This joke isn’t funny at all!”


    The suffocating sensation she had felt moments ago vanished, but Isabe was still filled with fear. Oh no, this man now knew her weakness. Although he didn’t know the reason, he was aware of the despair and fear that her uncle’s family could inflict upon her. He would probably use this knowledge to threaten her constantly. Isabe’s despair reached its peak.


    God, considering how many lives she had saved, could she please be protected?


    As they continued to dance, the partner-switching segment arrived. rk had been eager, waiting for this moment, and he immediately pushed his current dance partner away and pulled Isabe toward him.


    While he had been dancing earlier, he had seen Emanuele dancing with Isabe. From that point, all his attention had been on Isabe. He wanted nothing more than to rece Emanuele and dance with her in the ballroom.


    Now, with this opportunity at hand, rk couldn’t wait to dance with Isabe.


    “Isabe, you’re so beautiful, just like your name suggests,” rkplimented her with a loving gaze.


    “Thank you,” Isabe replied with a smile.


    Although she knew rk was friends with Emanuele and not to be underestimated, the gentle and gentlemanly manner in which he interacted with her made her feel much more rxed than when she was with Emanuele. Even the way he ced his hand on her was gentle and delicate, treating her as if she were a treasure. Unlike Emanuele, who had held her so tightly and possessively.


    However, not far away, Emanuele watched them closely. Seeing Isabe chatting andughing with rk, he felt as if his anger were about to explode. It was strange; after all, he had introduced Isabe to a few of his brothers for intimacy, which should have fulfilled his goals. So why was he so enraged now?


    During dinner, Isabe sat with her mother and the Lombardi family members. Isabe had little appetite, so she took a few sips of whiskey. The strong taste was a bit overwhelming for her, but it did help soothe her emotions.


    She felt weak and wondered how she would face the battles thaty ahead. She didn’t want to be fully involved with the Mafia, bing a true Mafia princess. She didn’t want to constantly have bodyguards around her, losing her ordinary life, or worse, being assassinated one day. She just wanted to live like a regr person. Why was it so hard to wish for normalcy?


    Around the dinner table, Sophia, Leo, and Andrew engaged in lively conversation. Andrew was not a part of the Mafia; he was a regr businessman. However, he was excellent at keeping the atmosphere lively. He and Leo always had endless topics to chat about, and he could make everyone burst intoughter with his jokes.


    Isabe’s mind was elsewhere as she quietly drank in a corner. Emanuele noticed that Isabe was only drinking, not eating, and furrowed his brow. He didn’t want her to be a drunken mess in such a setting.


    Thinking about this, Emanuele reached over and took a te of steak in front of Isabe, startling her. He couldn’t help but find it amusing how easily she got startled, as if the slightest movement would frighten her.


    Emanuele chuckled, “You get scared so easily. Should I take you to see a doctor? Maybe you need some medication to calm your nerves.”


    Isabe didn’t need to go to a hospital; she was already taking medication. Her mother knew about it. Sophia thought her sensitivity and vulnerability were due to losing her father at a young age and not having her mother around often. Isabe hadn’t exined the real reason, and she didn’t want anyone else to know.


    Isabe looked at Emanuele and replied, “I’m a doctor myself.”


    Emanuele smiled, “Impressive. Miss Gould, you’re an excellent doctor. You did a great job stitching up my wounds.”


    Isabe nced at Emanuele’s hand, but he was wearing long sleeves, so she couldn’t see his wounds. Emanuele helped cut her steak into smaller pieces and ced them back in front of her, instructing, “Finish it.”


    Isabe had little appetite to begin with, and now being ordered to eat by Emanuele only made her mood worse. What did this man want from her?


    Under Emanuele’s watchful gaze, Isabe reluctantly began to eat. She managed to eat two pieces before feeling full. She looked at Emanuele with a pleading expression, her voice sweet and a bit pitiful, “Brother, I really can’t eat anymore.”


    Her voice was naturally sweet, and the pleading tone made her seem quite pitiful. However, as Emanuele looked at her rosy lips, opening and closing, an unexpected fantasy shed in his mind. What if those lips were wrapped around his… What if he released his energy in her mouth? The thought alone made his body feel like it was about to explode.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Emanuele struggled to avert his gaze. How could he lose control so easily? This wasn’t like him. He had encountered countless women, far more attractive than Isabe, who willingly came to him. What was so appealing about a delicate flower like Isabe? But she had an inexplicable hold on him.


    Damn it, he cursed inwardly. He must be sick to even entertain such thoughts about getting intimate with Isabe, the gift he was supposed to give away!


    “Then eat two more pieces,” Emanuele ordered.


    Isabe could only endure it and reluctantly ate two more pieces of steak. Thankfully, Emanuele didn’t make her finish the whole te.


    But as soon as she put down her knife and fork, Emanuele took the remaining steak from her te and ced it in front of himself. He began to eat using the same cutlery she had just used.


    Oh, the intimacy of this gesture made Isabe feel ufortable. Emanuele, however, showed no emotion as he finished the meal.


    The enjoyable day came to an end, and the wedding guests began to leave one by one. rk, before departing, asked Isabe, “Isabe, can we exchange phone numbers? I’d like to take you out for dinner and a movie sometime.”


    “Of course,” Isabe agreed and exchanged numbers with rk. She had made up her mind. If she was weak and couldn’t resist the pressure Emanuele brought, then she wouldn’t resist anymore. She would adapt, look for better opportunities, and eventually take down that bastard Emanuele!


    rk was Emanuele’s friend, so he must be powerful too. She wondered if he could help her fight against Emanuele. Regardless, rk’s gentle and considerate nature made her morefortable than being with Emanuele. She just needed to remind herself not to get too entangled in this false rtionship and avoid delving too deep into the dark world of the Mafia.


    The wedding guests gradually departed, and before leaving, rk hugged Isabe. After they were gone, Isabe wanted to talk to her mother. It was gettingte, after all.


    But to her surprise, Emanuele dragged her into a corner of the garden. The night was dark, and despite the streetlights, this corner was dimly lit. Emanuele silently took her phone, deleted rk’s number, and added his own number to her phone.


    “What are you doing, Emanuele?” Isabe asked in anger. Why was this man so unreasonable, taking her phone without permission?


    She watched as Emanuele added his number to her phone,pletely baffled by his actions. This lunatic! What was he up to?


    “I only want you to get married, not to date. Marriage means immediately having a wedding, going to the church for vows, not gradually developing feelings. I don’t have the patience for that!” Emanuele said, but even though he spoke those words, he had different intentions.


    “I’ve followed your wishes and talked to your friends, gone on dates. Why are you still so strict with me? You’re such a jerk!” Isabe retorted, her voice filled with anger, her chest heaving.


    Emanuele always managed to make her angry, but he was too powerful for her to resist. Just like now, after hearing her words, he grabbed her waist and pulled her into his embrace.


    Isabe’s body might be voluptuous, but her waist was slender and delicate, soft to the touch, and he couldn’t help but enjoy it. How could a woman have such a perfect figure? She seemed tailor-made for him.


    Isabe struggled frantically, but it was futile. Her strength was insignificant in Emanuele’s presence.


    Damn this bastard, Isabe cursed silently, wishing him to rot in hell.