Aciel pulled Xylia along as they continued deeper into the mansion.
As they walked upstairs, she noticed people standing outside almost every room they passed.
Curiosity got the better of her.
“Do they all live here?” she asked.
“No,” Aciel answered.
“Father, his wife, and Luca live here permanently. But every Wednesday, clan members gather in the mansion. It’s a family tradition.”
Xylia nodded.
Then another question popped into her mind.
“Why is everyone standing outside their rooms?”
Aciel sighed.
“Because Luca announced I was here.”
A hint of amusement crossed his face.
“As the future head of the clan, they’re expected to greet me.”
His gaze shifted toward her.
“And because I brought a girl.”
Understanding dawned on her.
As they continued walking, every member of the clan bowed respectfully to Aciel.
The men lowered their heads immediately.
The women did the same, but afterward, many glanced at Xylia.
Some looked curious.
Others looked amused.
And a few openly looked jealous.
“Don’t mind them,” Aciel said casually.
“Why?”
“Because I’m the illegitimate son.”
His tone carried no emotion.
“They always have something to say about everything I do.”
Xylia frowned but chose not to comment.
Instead, she continued admiring the mansion.
It was enormous.
Even larger than the Antonov estate.
Modern architecture blended beautifully with contemporary design.
Expensive paintings decorated the walls.
Every piece looked like it belonged in a museum.
“Your home is beautiful,” she said honestly.
Aciel’s expression changed slightly.
“It isn’t my home.”
Xylia blinked.
Before she could ask what he meant, he continued walking.
Something in his voice told her not to push further.
Eventually, they stopped in front of the final room at the end of the hallway.
Aciel knocked twice.
Then opened the door without waiting for permission.
He pulled Xylia inside.
Before the door closed, she caught sight of Luca standing nearby.
The little boy waved enthusiastically.
Beside him stood a young woman around Aciel’s age.
She was glaring at Xylia.
The moment their eyes met, the woman rolled her eyes and turned away.
Xylia barely had time to process it before the door shut.
The atmosphere inside the room was completely different.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Dangerous.
“Father.”
Aciel’s voice broke the silence.
Xylia swallowed nervously.
For the first time, she was face-to-face with Luciano De Silva.
The man sat behind a massive desk, writing something on a document.
Behind him stood two armed men.
Both had pistols holstered at their waists.
The sight alone made Xylia’s pulse spike.
She immediately lowered her gaze.
Not out of submission.
But because she suddenly felt very out of place.
Luciano finally put down his pen.
Without even looking at them, he spoke.
“I already know why you’re here.”
His voice was calm.
Cold.
“And my answer is still no.”
Her entire body stiffened.
She couldn’t breathe.
She couldn’t think, and move.
Then Aciel’s voice shattered the silence.
“No.”
He stepped forward.
“I won’t accept your decision.”
Xylia’s eyes widened.
She turned toward him in disbelief.
Luciano slowly raised his head.
His expression darkened.
“Are you really going to disobey me again because of that girl?”
His voice echoed throughout the room.
Aciel smirked.
“You told me to choose a girl.” He pointed toward Xylia.
“So I did.”
Then his expression became serious.
“I want her.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Not some random girl from Martin’s list.”
Luciano slammed his palm against the desk.
“You can never marry an Antonov woman.”
His voice was thunderous.
“No one in this family can.” He looked toward Xylia.
“And what exactly can we gain from that family?”
His expression filled with contempt.
“Nothing.”
The room fell silent.
Then Luciano delivered another blow.
“They’re already bankrupt.”
Xylia froze.
“What?”
Luciano leaned back in his chair.
“You already have nothing. That’s the real reason you’re being sold to the Harlows.”
Sold.
The word echoed repeatedly inside her mind.
“Sold?” she whispered.
Luciano stared directly at her.
“Victoria sold you for one billion dollars.”
The world seemed to stop.
“She has gambling debts.” His voice remained emotionless.
“She ran out of money and collateral.”
A cruel smile appeared on his face.
“So she offered you instead.”
Xylia felt her stomach twist.
“The Harlows own the largest casino in Bloomsdale.”
Luciano shrugged.
“The Antonov name still carries influence. So they accepted.”
Xylia clenched her fists.
“What about my father?”
Her voice trembled.
“My grandfather?”
“Did they know?”
Luciano laughed.
A cold, humorless laugh.
“What do you think?”
The answer was obvious.
“Your family would rather sacrifice you than admit they’ve failed.”
The room became silent.
The two guards exchanged glances.
Neither could understand how Xylia was still standing.
Most people would have broken down.
Cried.
Begged.
But not her.
The fear in her eyes disappeared.
Replaced by something else.
Rage.
Pure rage.
She wasn’t angry at Luciano.
She was angry at her family.
Angry that they had reduced her to a bargaining chip.
A payment for someone else’s mistakes.
Luciano observed her quietly.
Very interesting.
Then he looked back at Aciel.
“My answer remains the same.” His voice hardened.
“She cannot be your wife. There are many respectable women from powerful families.”
Aciel laughed.
A dangerous laugh.
The kind that made even the guards uneasy.
“You misunderstand something, Father.”
Luciano frowned.
“I didn’t come here to ask for your approval.”
The room fell silent.
“I came here to inform you.”
Aciel tightened his hold on Xylia’s hand.
“She is my girlfriend.” His silver eyes darkened.
“And one day, she will be my wife.”
Luciano stood up abruptly.
“You insolent bastard!”
His voice thundered throughout the office.
“Do you really intend to defy me?”
Aciel remained calm.
Luciano pointed toward Xylia.
“How do you expect to get her family to agree?”
Aciel grinned.
The smile of a future Mafia Boss.
“Money.”
Luciano blinked.
Aciel’s smile widened.
“I’ll buy her freedom.”
Luciano cursed under his breath.
The frustrating part was that Aciel actually had enough money to do it.
His mother had recently become Queen of Vostrea.
And as her only son, Aciel possessed wealth that rivaled nations.
“You make it sound simple.”
Luciano crossed his arms.
“What if the Antonovs refuse?”
“What if the Harlows refuse?”
Aciel’s answer came instantly.
“Then there will be war.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
Luciano stared at his son for a long moment.
Then he slowly shook his head.
He already knew.
He had lost.
The moment Aciel walked into this room holding Xylia’s hand, he had already lost.
The boy was too much like his mother.
Stubborn.
Fearless.
Impossible to control.
Luciano sighed.
Then he asked the one question he truly wanted answered.
“Are you really that in love with her?”
The room became still.
Xylia held her breath.
Aciel didn’t answer immediately.
Finally, he spoke.
“No.”
The single word shattered something inside Xylia.
Of course.
She already knew.
Yet hearing it still hurt.
Her heart felt as if it had cracked into pieces.
Then Aciel continued.
And everything stopped.
He looked directly at his father.
Then at Xylia.
A dangerous smile appeared on his face.
“I’m not in love with her.”
His silver eyes never left hers.
“I’m obsessed with her.”
And somehow, that terrified Xylia far more than a simple confession of love.