a drove through the Ricci estate's iron gates. A warning

cture and head home.

t be ignored. Not when Antonio Ricci uses ter

ndered into legitimacy over the years. The windows shone with light, an odd sight for

hen Marco, her father's most trusted guard, opened the thick oak door

extraordinary respect. "They'r

h

ge lobby. Voices whispered behind the closed doors of the formal dining roo

once. She built her own life. Whatever her father

ed the door, al

d face lit up at the sight of her, yet the weight in his eyes persisted. Five of her father's capos, or highest-ranking lieutenants, surrounded him. Uncle Vito

s and war councils bro

s he stood with arms out. "M

e cologne and cigars surrounding her. "Father. When

reach his eyes. "Some mat

her mother's former seat. Sophia's heart raced wit

ioned. "Sit. "We have

s admiring gaze. "I have midterms to grade

p red wine into her glass, while o

shaking his head. "Academia ha

e replied, keeping eye c

ching economic theories to spoiled bra

refer to call them the future

tarted our meal," Antonio said calml

lled with dread. Antonio lifted a glas

ir glasses. Sophia he

any into what it is today. Our reputable enterprises thrive. Our pro

ement circle ar

ed, his tone becoming melancholy. "And

this was about? She had believed that her cousin Marco would even

r-" she

e considered every alternative. Marco lacked vision. Paolo is excessively hot-he

er transitions were typically risky

king. Someone familiar with both traditional and modern economic prac

e room. Sophia's heartbea

d before she could ad

efully set down her glass. "I created my path. I t

those Ivy League schools?" Paolo

ed schol

"Everything you have, everything you've achieved,

hough she withdrew herself, she profited fro

t in running a cri

ce falling. "I'm no

nsition." You have the ideal foundation to finish what I started:

"You expect me to think

hanging. The traditional ways are no longer profitable. We need to evolve or die. And you, with y

said, pushing back her ch

inally broke. "No one with your mind, your ed

n't d

minick explained calmly. "Yo

me." Sh

tone leaving no space for debate.

beneath the steel-caused her to sof

ying, S

globe til

." His expression remained sto

didn't you tell me earlier?" We may obt

or her hand. "I've made peace with it. But I can't die peacefully know

pite everything, even her rejection

orted coldly. They believe Antonio is getting feeble. This mo

on plan, we will be at war within weeks after my death. Dozens will die. Businesses

't work on me," Sophia said

. "You possess the education and intelligence to reform this organizat

I still

hen I have no heir," Antonio repl

dining room doors sprang open. M

The Salvatores have taken hostages at our K

nsed, automatically reachi

"Cara Mia, this is your first decision as

er, waiting, judging, condemnin

tening around her. The life she'd created, the freedom she

onight. Not with her father dying

e its empress, whether she