“Isabe, how have you beentely?” On the phone, Sophia’s mood seemed quite cheerful, and her voice carried a hint of amusement.


    “I’ve been good,” Isabe replied, not daring to mention that she might be under surveince.


    “We’reing back to Chicago tomorrow. Why don’t youe over for dinner with us?” Sophia suggested.


    Dinner with her mother? Isabe’s heart tightened. She would have to go back to that ce that filled her with fear. The first time she went, Emanuele had threatened her with death. The second time, he had forced her into a kiss. It was terrible.


    “I might have to workte tomorrow,” Isabe attempted to decline. “How about another day? We can meet up somewhere else.”


    “Isabe, we haven’t seen each other in so long. I really miss you, and your stepfather does too. Can’t youe to see us?” Sophia’s tone had a touch of pleading.


    Her mother was the most important person in the world to her. Isabe bit her lip, unable to refuse her mother’s request, no matter how much she wanted to.


    But the thought of seeing Emanuele again made her feel that suffocating dread once more. He never gave up. He wanted her to get married, and now he had given her a deadline to get married when she graduated from college in a month. Oh, it was terrifying. Perhaps she should tell her mother. Sophia would surely stop it.


    …


    “Isabe, it’s been a while. You look so much prettier now. That’s how young girls should dress up!” Sophia embraced Isabe warmly and kissed her cheek.


    Isabe had chosen this outfit from the clothes Emanuele had prepared for her, a simple white dress. It was a straightforward style, but it made her look youthful and exceptionally attractive.


    Sophia believed it looked much better on her than the dark-colored clothes she used to wear, which made her appear much older.


    But now, this outfit was just right.


    Grazia also approached and hugged Isabe.


    “Isabe, our family is hosting a banquet tomorrow. You shoulde over,” she warmly invited Isabe, who wanted to decline.


    Although Grazia was a nice person, she was the Mafia Princess, and Isabe didn’t want to associate with anyone involved with the Mafia.


    “I’ve been quite busytely, so I probably won’t have the time…” Isabe smiled as she declined.


    “Don’t say no,” Grazia insisted. “You said the same thingst time. You can’t keep declining every time, can you? It’ll make Dad angry.”


    Isabe nced at Leo when she heard this. Although he didn’t say anything, his eyes carried a warning.


    Isabe sighed, “Okay, I’lle.”


    She felt powerless, slowly stepping into the life of the Mafia family, bing one of them. It was a terrible feeling.


    At that moment, Emanuele walked in. He still had that menacing aura, his presencemanding attention from everyone in the room.


    He started by hugging Sophia and Grazia. When it came to Isabe, he also hugged her gently, handling her with care, not the rough dominance he usually exhibited.


    “This man really knows how to put on a show!” Isabe thought to herself.


    “Isabe, how’s your studies going? Is it tough working at the hospital?” Emanuele asked her, and they seemed formal, not at all familiar.


    “It’s been fine, just a bit challenging working at the hospital,” Isabe replied. However, she couldn’t help feeling a sense of disdain. Isabe didn’t believe for a second that Emanuele was unaware of her situation. He could enter her apartment at will, so there was likely nothing he didn’t know about.


    Did he really need to put on this act in front of family? Emanuele was the true Oscar-winning actor.


    After exchanging greetings, they headed to the dining room. Faced with a sumptuous feast, Isabe didn’t have much of an appetite.


    But when Emanuele noticed that she wasn’t eating much, he whispered, “Do I need to feed you?”


    His tone carried a warning.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Isabe immediately shook her head and made an effort to eat.


    Emanuele smiled, and she knew he still scared her. Despite her fear, she didn’tpletely submit to him. Emanuele felt that she wasn’t quite there yet. He wanted to shatter her pride and make her bow downpletely.


    With that thought, Emanuele reached out and touched Isabe’s nape. Isabe’s body instantly stiffened. What did Emanuele intend to do? His fingertips were rough, calloused from years of handling guns. When they touched her skin, she felt goosebumps and shivers. She believed Emanuele could easily snap her neck.


    But soon, Emanuele released her.


    Thankfully, he didn’t go through with it.


    After dinner, Isabe excused herself to leave. Her interaction with Emanuele tonight had been minimal, and she felt a bit relieved. But her relief was short-lived. She might be staying in Emanuele’s luxurious apartment, but it didn’t feel like her own. She had no sense of ownership.


    Still, it was better than being around the Lombardi family members. Isabe felt more at ease when she was alone.


    “I’ll escort Isabe home,” Emanuele suddenly spoke when Isabe thought she could finally catch her breath.


    Isabe turned to look at him, panic in her eyes.


    He didn’t say it to her; he said it to Sophia and Leo.


    “Ah, that would be too much trouble for you, Emanuele,” Sophia said, somewhat surprised. Her stepson was now the head of the family, and his work was demanding. She had heard he was dealing with some tricky issues recently.


    That he was willing to escort Isabe home indicated that he truly epted her and the idea of her bing part of their family. Sophia was deeply touched.


    However, Isabe felt nothing but fear.


    “I don’t need it; my bodyguards will take me home,” Isabe said, trying to decline Emanuele’s offer.


    But Emanuele seemed to ignore Isabe’s refusal and instead grabbed her arm. “Let’s go.”


    Isabe looked at Sophia, who appeared delighted, and Grazia and Leo, who wore smiles on their faces. None of them knew about Isabe’s current situation, unaware of how awful Emanuele treated her in private. Isabe wanted to speak the truth, especially to her mother. She thought that if her mother knew, she would stop any further contact between Isabe and Emanuele.


    But at that moment, Emanuele leaned in close to Isabe’s ear and whispered softly, “If you dare to report anything, I guarantee you won’t see the sun tomorrow.”


    Isabe froze, the color draining from her face. She looked into Emanuele’s eyes, filled with terror. Something seemed to block her throat, making it difficult to breathe. It was a suffocating feeling.


    “If you snitch, I’ll have someone gang-rape you and then feed you to the wild dogs, you bitch!”


    “If you dare to tattle on me to your mommy, I’ll make sure you don’t see tomorrow’s sun, you motherfucker.”


    Chloe’s voice echoed in her mind.