Chapter 2

In the next few days, Eve busied herself with packing her belongings at the manor. Lucas had told her that he'd be back later, but he didn't in the coming three days.

Eve stood there with her suitcase. She gazed at the manor that held five years of her memories with Lucas.

She had dreamed of getting married to Lucas in the manor. But it felt like a bitter irony now.

Eve paused for a long while and then instructed one of the bodyguards in a low voice before getting into the car without hesitation.

The luxury car sped away as the manor was set ablaze, consuming everything along with her memories.

Eve returned to her other residence, walked straight to her room, locked the door, and called her father, Robert, via video chat.

Her previous call with Robert had been cut short, and she didn't tell him about many things.

Robert was abroad to deal with some urgent matters personally. He was available only today, so he insisted Eve give him a video call.

When the call connected, Robert sat at the main seat, with a half-smoked cigar between his fingers. Upon seeing Eve, he nodded slightly. A smile appeared on his otherwise cold face. "You're punctual, Eve. I heard you agreed to marry Samuel Vittorine. Is that right?"

Eve remained silent for a moment before saying, "That's right, Dad, but I have one condition."

Robert nodded with affection. "Go on. What is it?"

Eve looked into Robert's eyes, and her gaze was filled with unmistakable ambition. "I want your family heirloom ring."

It was a symbol of power and status.

Robert was stunned for a moment, but then he burst into hearty laughter after he understood what Eve said. "Alright. After I return home, I'll personally hand you the ring. Besides, I promise you that everything from the Costa family will be yours and that you can do whatever you want."

After a pause, Robert remembered the important matter he needed to discuss with Eve that day. "There's a ball at the Ian Manor this afternoon, and Samuel will be there. You'd better go and get to know him better."

Eve agreed with a smile.

She arrived at the manor and saw many gentlemen surrounding a young woman in the center of the dance floor. They were inviting her to dance the first dance.

As Eve walked up, her eyebrows furrowed tighter.

It was Alina.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted.

Lucas walked through the crowd, took Alina's hand, kissed the back of it, and led her into a graceful dance. She looked bashful.

The ladies whispered enviously.

"Oh my, it's Lucas, the most handsome and valiant guy in the mafia, and he's fallen under her charm."

"No wonder the Costa family is the second largest mafia. Even though she's the illegitimate daughter, she is held in such high regard, and Robert is hosting such a grand ball for her."

Eve stood away from the crowd and watched Lucas and Alina dance. They looked like a perfect match and were close and intimate. It felt like Eve's heart was tightly squeezed by an unseen hand.

In the past, whenever she invited Lucas to a ball, he would always decline, saying he wasn't worthy of her and didn't enjoy dancing. Yet there he was, dancing the first dance with Alina at a mafia ball.

It wasn't just a provocation. It was a huge humiliation for Eve.

As the dance ended, Alina held Lucas's hand and smiled as they left the dance floor.

When she noticed Eve outside the crowd, her smile froze instantly.

Lucas instinctively released Alina's hand, and embarrassment flashed in his eyes as he strode towards Eve.