Chapter 5 The Inheritance

{Enzo POV}

The hushed sound of guests in the hall echoed through the place, followed by the soft clicking of glasses as I climbed down the stairs.

Their gazes fell in my direction. I knew exactly what they were all expecting. Ever since my father's death, all they've done is whisper about his will. Their curiosity about who between my stepbrother and I would get married first had become their topmost priority. Tonight, I've decided to silence their whispers.

"Mr. Vitale, what a pleasant surprise to have you show yourself to us," an elderly man in a grey suit stepped forward, his fake smile stretched too wide. "You must have something in store for us."

"Don't get your hopes high, Mr. Benard. I hate too many compliments," I muttered and walked past him.

Fake compliments. I knew them very well these days. Ever since the night my father was assassinated right in front of my eyes, nothing felt real anymore. I still couldn't clear my head of the image of the masked figure, the gloves, and the cold silence after the trigger was pulled. I'd figure out who it was. Sooner or later.

I glanced at the watch strapped to my wrist, then looked toward the staircase again. Naomi still hadn't come down. How long does it take for a woman to dress up? Or did she somehow manage to slip past my security and escape?

The corner of my lips curled at the thought. If she did... oh, the things I would do to her.

"What makes you decide to host a meeting and show your face, Enzo?" a deep voice came from behind me.

I didn't need to turn. I already knew who it was my stepbrother-Brian.

"You've always been behind the shadows, dreading the fact that I'll be the one to get the inheritance before you," he continued. He clicked his tongue and walked ahead, standing slightly in front of me now. "You're as cold as ice and scare any woman that comes near you. How will you get a woman now?"

He smirked, flashing those fake-perfect teeth. "You see, Becca and I will get married soon."

I stared at him, cold and still. The kind of stare that made most people stumble or look away. But Brian wasn't like most people. He always had the nerve to meet my eyes and smile through it.

I stepped closer, my voice low. "I'm not here to play, Brian. And as for who gets the inheritance, we both know it's not just about marriage. Whoever is behind our father's death... I'll find them. And when I do-" I paused, looking up at the stairs again. Still no sign of Naomi. My jaw clenched. "-they'll regret ever thinking I'd sit back and do nothing."

Brian's smirk wavered slightly. He noticed the flicker of irritation in my eyes as I looked up once more. "Who are you waiting for?" he asked, his voice more cautious now.

I turned to him, a hint of danger creeping into my smile. "Don't be in a haste to eat hot pottage, stepbrother. You might just end up burning your mouth."

Brian's face twisted. "You're just like him," he snapped. "Heartless, cold and wicked. That's why the inheritance isn't fit for a man like you."

I gave a small laugh, eyes never leaving his face. But before I could respond, my gaze caught movement on the stairs. And I looked up to see Naomi.

She walked down the stairs slowly, her eyes flicking left and right like she was searching for a place to hide. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders, and the dress she wore clung to her curves in a way that made a few men in the crowd turn to whisper.

I looked back at Brian. "Let's see about that... dear stepbrother."

Without another word, I walked away and made my way toward her.

Naomi's eyes locked with mine, and she froze for half a second. Her body shivered slightly in fear. The hall shifted with murmurs and sudden interest.

"Is that Enzo Vitale with a woman?"

"Could she be his fiancée?"

"I thought Brian and Becca were supposed to marry first..."

More whispers rose around us, people trying to piece it all together.

I ignored them.

Stretching out my hand to her, I saw her hesitate. Her eyes looked at me like I was the villain in some horror movie, and she'd just walked onto the wrong set. But when her gaze met mine, she knew she didn't have a choice.

She placed her hand in mine and I leaned in, lips brushing close to her ear. "Don't you dare try to give anyone a hint that you're being forced to do this," I said, my voice quiet and sharp. "Unless you've got a hundred million to hand me after tonight."

She hesitated, her lips twitching in fear, then forced a smile as she met my eyes again.

I nodded slightly and turned with her hand still in mine. Together, we walked to the center of the hall. Every eye was on us now.

I looked at her once more, then faced the crowd. "This," I said, voice calm and steady, "is Naomi. My fiancée."

Gasps, murmurs, and even a few clinks of dropped glasses followed.

"And our wedding... will be held tomorrow."

The room fell completely silent. Even Brian's jaw went slack, and his eyes blazed with a mix of shock and rage.

After a long moment of stunned silence, I added, "That's the reason for this gathering. You're all invited to the wedding tomorrow."

More murmurs erupted, but I didn't care. I could feel Naomi's hand shaking slightly in mine. I tightened my grip, holding it firmly, just enough to remind her to keep smiling.

I looked back at the crowd. "Now, enjoy the party."

With that, I turned and walked up the stairs, Naomi still beside me, our hands intertwined like we were some perfect couple.