Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

Isabella was startled by Emanuele’s sudden embrace. She shook her head and said, “It’s nothing, I’m fine.”

How could she answer when one demon inquired about being harmed by another?

Madelyn, engaged in a conversation with Sophia, mentioned that her husband had injured his leg, making it inconvenient for him to attend the wedding. She also mentioned that Chloe was still abroad and would return in a few days.

“When your brother recovers, you should all come over here to visit. This estate is huge, with plenty of rooms. You can stay as long as you like,” Sophia warmly invited. As Leo’s wife, she was now the mistress of the house and wanted her relatives to know how well she was doing.

“Sure, I’ll tell him when I get back,” Madelyn agreed. In the past, she had disliked Sophia and Isabella, considering them burdens. Although Sophia’s deceased husband had left a substantial sum of money, how long would it last? Spending it on dresses and jewelry would quickly deplete it. But things had changed. Sophia had married Leo, and Emanuele had become the most popular man in all of Chicago. Everything was different now.

As Madelyn spoke, her gaze fell on Isabella. Her eyes were like venomous snakes. In that instant, Isabella felt goosebumps all over her body. She clenched her hand into a fist, nails digging into her flesh. The pain was the only thing that could remind her to control her fear and disgust of Madelyn.

“Isabella, it’s been a long time. You’ve become so beautiful,” Madelyn walked toward Isabella, trying to hold her hand.

Isabella instinctively pulled her hand away, doing her best to restrain her overt fear and aversion to Madelyn.

“Hi, Aunt,” Isabella said with a trembling voice.

“If you have time, you can come to our place. Haven’t you forgotten your favorite meadow? You can herd cattle and sheep with your uncle,” Madelyn suggested.

Madelyn’s words made Isabella’s complexion even paler. No, she didn’t like it, not at all! When she was very young, her daily routine involved herding cattle and sheep. In the evenings, she had to sleep with the animals. She still remembered the foul, pungent smell of that herd vividly.

Madelyn was so cruel. After all these years, every time she saw her, she brought up this memory, as if she wanted Isabella to relive those terrible moments.

Unaware of the trauma, Sophia smiled and added, “Yes, Isabella loves being with cows and sheep.”

Sophia was clueless about Isabella’s past, but she recalled seeing Isabella with the animals a few times when she came home early. Chloe told her that Isabella loved small animals, and Isabella confirmed it when asked.

Emanuele, who had been paying close attention to their conversation, especially Isabella, noticed a significant change in her demeanor. Her face turned incredibly pale, and her body seemed to tremble.

This puzzled Emanuele. If she truly liked being with cows and sheep, she shouldn’t react this way. She appeared to be facing something terrifying.

He couldn’t help but ask her in a hushed tone, “Do you like it?”

Isabella shook her head instinctively. For some reason, she felt that the man beside her, even after what he had done to her recently, wasn’t as terrifying as Madelyn and Chloe. It was terrible. Even though this man had done dreadful things to her not long ago, she now felt more comfortable around him than she did with Madelyn and Chloe.

In fact, she dared to resist Emanuele, but she couldn’t defy Chloe.

Madelyn noticed Emanuele, and her expression was filled with surprise. “Mr. Lombardi, hello. I’m related to your stepmother. May I ask if you’re married? I have a daughter, six years younger than you, and she’s very sweet and pretty. Would you be interested in meeting her?”

Emanuele was a well-known figure in Chicago, the head honcho, young and handsome. Many girls had expressed a desire to marry him, including Chloe. The rumor was that he didn’t have a woman by his side, so if she introduced her daughter to him, it could be their ticket to a prosperous life.

“Oh, God, please let this be a perfect match!” Madelyn thought, wishing for a successful connection between her daughter and Emanuele.

However, Emanuele’s gaze was ice-cold and sharp, as if it could pierce through her. His demeanor was as cold as ice. This young Chicago mob boss had climbed to the top by stepping over countless bodies. Just one look from him could make most people uncomfortable.

Madelyn was taken aback by the intensity of his stare. She had forgotten just how ruthless he could be.

Yes, he had achieved his current status because of his ruthless nature and his lack of mercy towards enemies. He believed he wasn’t in a position to let someone else arrange his marriage. He was Chicago’s master, and he would decide who he would marry. The woman he would marry had to be someone he found truly captivating, someone he could protect as fiercely as he guarded his territory.

Madelyn’s face turned ashen. She realized she had said something wrong. However, Emanuele’s cordial demeanor toward Isabella made her think she could proceed.

“Introduce your daughter to me? This lady here wants to get her daughter stripped naked and left on the street to be raped by hobos, or maybe shot in some random crossfire one day?” Emanuele thought that he wasn’t at the point where he needed someone to arrange his marriage. He was the master of Chicago, and he could decide for himself whom to marry. The person he married had to be someone who truly moved him, so he could protect her like he protected his territory.

Madelyn’s face turned pale instantly. She realized that Emanuele’s youth had hidden the brutality of his character.

Yes, he had achieved his position through cruelty, showing no mercy to his enemies. If she married her daughter to him, what if they had disagreements, and he decided to kill someone?

So maybe it was best to forget about the whole idea. It was a bit disappointing, but still better than losing their lives.

Isabella, watching this unfold, found it a bit amusing. Why did Madelyn seem less terrifying now? It was funny to see her so frightened in front of Emanuele. At least Isabella could keep her composure when faced with Emanuele, even when he had threatened her with death several times.

“Let’s not talk about this,” Sophia intervened, sensing the awkward atmosphere between the two. She grabbed Emanuele’s arm, called a waiter, and brought two glasses of champagne.

“Emanuele, I’m delighted to be a part of your extended family. I promise we will have a happy life together in the future.”

Emanuele clinked his glass with Sophia’s, and his cold and intimidating aura mellowed.

Madelyn had been so frightened that Emanuele didn’t look at her again, and the atmosphere eased slightly. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she tried to strike up a conversation. She noticed Isabella standing there quietly and pulled her into the discussion.

“Isabella, Chloe often tells me how much she misses you and wants to visit you in Chicago. Why don’t you two set up a meeting?”

Isabella’s mood sank. Meeting with Chloe? No, it wouldn’t be a meeting, but a humiliation session. If she had to face Chloe alone, she would feel like she was going to die.

However, her throat seemed to be blocked, and she couldn’t speak, let alone refuse the idea. Her stupid illness always seemed to act up whenever someone mentioned Chloe, making her look weak and helpless.

Suddenly, a hand grasped Isabella’s shoulder, drawing her closer. It was Emanuele. His powerful presence, tinged with a hint of cold-bloodedness and a scent of death, something she had once feared, now comforted her inexplicably. Did Emanuele sense her emotional turmoil?

“This young lady doesn’t seem to enjoy chatting with the elders. Isabella, how about we go over there?” Emanuele embraced her and led her away from the crowd.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Once they left, Sophia looked at Madelyn. “You almost caused a disaster just now. Emanuele is not someone anyone can provoke.”

Madelyn was about to cause trouble, but she stopped. She had nearly forgotten how ruthless Emanuele could be. It was true; his rise was partially due to his brutal nature, and he never showed mercy to his enemies. If she married her daughter to him, what if they had disagreements, and he decided to kill someone?

So maybe it was best to forget about the whole idea. It was a bit disappointing, but still better than losing their lives. Madelyn suddenly became pale. Isabella, who was quietly watching, found it amusing. Why did Madelyn seem less scary now? She looked quite embarrassed, facing Emanuele with such a frightened expression. At least she could stay calm when Emanuele had threatened her life several times.

Sophia decided to break the tension. “Okay, enough of that. Let’s not talk about this.” She grabbed Emanuele’s arm, called a waiter, and brought two glasses of champagne.

“Cheers, Emanuele. I’m thrilled to be part of your extended family. I promise, we’ll have a happy life together from now on.”

Emanuele clinked his glass with Sophia’s, and his intimidating demeanor mellowed. Madelyn, who had nearly been frightened to death by Emanuele’s response earlier, saw his tension ease and began to relax.

Feeling a bit awkward, Madelyn decided to strike up a conversation. She noticed Isabella standing there quietly and pulled her into the discussion.

“Isabella, Chloe has been talking a lot about how she misses you and wants to visit you in Chicago. How about you two meet up sometime?” Isabella’s mood plummeted. Meeting with Chloe? No, it wouldn’t be a meeting, but a humiliation session. If she had to face Chloe alone, she would feel like she was going to die. However, her throat seemed to be blocked, and she couldn’t speak, let alone refuse the idea. Her stupid illness always seemed to act up whenever someone mentioned Chloe, making her look weak and helpless.

Isabella’s mood plummeted. Meeting with Chloe? No, it wouldn’t be a meeting, but a humiliation session. If she had to face Chloe alone, she would feel like she was going to die. However, her throat seemed to be blocked, and she couldn’t speak, let alone refuse the idea. Her stupid illness always seemed to act up whenever someone mentioned Chloe, making her look weak and helpless.

At that moment, a hand grasped Isabella’s shoulder, drawing her closer. It was Emanuele. His powerful presence, tinged with a hint of cold-bloodedness and a scent of death,

something she had once feared, now comforted her inexplicably. Did Emanuele sense her emotional turmoil?

“This young lady doesn’t seem to enjoy chatting with the elders. Isabella, how about we go over there?” Emanuele embraced her and led her away from the crowd.

Once they left, Sophia looked at Madelyn. “You almost caused a disaster just now. Emanuele is not someone anyone can provoke.”

Madelyn, still somewhat shaken, patted her chest. “God, I just wish Chloe could marry into this family, so we’d get to meet more often. That would be a delightful thing.”

Madelyn came up with a quick excuse. For her, lying was incredibly simple.

“But Emanuele is not an ordinary person. He doesn’t show mercy to outsiders. Only when he accepts us as his family does he have patience with us. I’ve known his father for three months and had a clear discussion with him. I’ve told him I’m not interested in anything related to their family except for my genuine affection for his father. That’s why he allowed me to join their family,” Sophia explained in a hushed tone.

“I understand,” Madelyn replied.

She then turned to see Emanuele with his arm around Isabella’s waist, and their relationship seemed harmonious.

“But why is Isabella on such good terms with Emanuele? I heard you say she visited here some time ago,” Madelyn inquired.

“I don’t really know,” Sophia responded. “Maybe Isabella appears to be an innocent young girl, and Emanuele treats her well because of that.”

Is that so? Madelyn thought. If that’s the case, then Chloe should do well too. Chloe was not only beautiful but also had a refined demeanor. In their village, she was referred to as a princess. Madelyn had meticulously cultivated her noble bearing, teaching her to dance and play the piano from a young age. What did Isabella have to compare to that? She had grown up sleeping in a cowshed.

Madelyn made a silent resolution to bring Chloe here next time. Despite Emanuele’s harsh words just now, she was sure he would be smitten with Chloe.

Meanwhile, Isabella had been pulled onto the dance floor by Emanuele. She hadn’t wanted to go, but he insisted, forcing her to dance with him. Away from Madelyn, her emotions began to stabilize.

She even felt a bit grateful to Emanuele for keeping her away from that wicked woman.

But then she remembered what Emanuele had done in the study earlier, and she realized that this man wasn’t much better.

“Are you scared of your aunt?” Emanuele asked as he held Isabella close, dancing with her. Their bodies were almost touching, and his chin brushed against her hair. The intimate contact made Isabella uncomfortable.

Isabella replied, trying to sound confident, “I’m not scared.”

Emanuele was sure she was lying. “Usually, when people lie, their eyes wander, and they can’t look at the person they’re speaking to. Besides, your body is stiff, indicating emotional instability. Isabella, I don’t believe you can’t even dance such a simple dance.”

Isabella shot back, “Emanuele, I suggest you become a psychologist with your excellent ability to analyze people’s minds and write a book about it.”

Emanuele just smiled, his mood lightening as he watched her get angry. He’d never seen anyone dare to be this angry with him before. This little one was certainly brave. She was much stronger than when she had been standing next to Madelyn, looking so lifeless.

Although he enjoyed tormenting her and relishing her pain, he hoped that her suffering would be because of him and not that so-called aunt. He wanted all her emotions, whether happiness, anger, sorrow, or joy, to revolve around him, not anyone else.

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Isabella replied, keeping her secret guarded. She hadn’t even told her mother about it, and she didn’t want Emanuele to see her vulnerability.

“Oh, then how about I take you straight to your aunt? Let her take you back to their house for a few days. I think your mom and your aunt will surely agree,” Emanuele said with a smile. He tightened the hand around Isabella’s waist, pulling her closer, while closely observing her reaction.