Chapter 5
Kelly Valente. The moment I saw her face, something clicked. I had seen her before.
The Valente family was a small-time mafia family from Southwest.
Years ago, the Valente family's boss came to our house, hoping to attend the birthday party of my second brother, Enzo. However, he didn't even make it past the front door.
That man was Kelly's father. And the young girl who trailed behind him must have been Kelly.
Back then, he failed to send her to Enzo's bed. But now, it seems that he's offered her to Lorenzo instead.
This was typical of a low-tier mafia family. They would scheme their way into power instead of earning it with real strength.
Kelly intentionally mentioned the Valente family, thinking it would intimidate me. But that insignificant "Valente family" wasn't even worth the breath it took to say their name.
I ignored her and turned to Lorenzo. "Handle the paperwork yourself. I'm tired. I'll wait in the car."
To my surprise, Lorenzo followed me, trying to explain. His frantic expression almost made me laugh.
He went to such extremes to make Mia and Kelly a legitimate part of the Gambino family while keeping our marriage intact just to preserve his dignity.
He exposed my location to our enemies, had me crippled, and even killed our child—all so he could have what he wanted.
So now, after everything, why was he still putting up this pathetic act?
"Lorenzo, remember this. You're the boss of the Gambino family. If anyone sees you looking this pitiful, it won't just be your reputation on the line. It'll be the entire Gambino family's. I'll be waiting in the car."
Lorenzo stared at me, startled. It was as if the woman he remembered—the gentle, obedient version of me—had vanished for a brief second.
He then realized his own lapse in composure and simply watched as I walked back to the car.
Every employee I passed cast me the same look. It was a mix of ridicule and pity.
However, I didn't care. I just pulled out my phone and started the process of erasing my identification.
I had been Renee Jones long enough. It was time to say goodbye.
…
To celebrate Mia's return, the Gambino family threw a family banquet.
They all seemed to believe that bringing her back meant securing the Valente family's support.
But what thrilled them even more was the early arrival of Vincent Salerno, Navarro Group's second-in-command. He had come to escort the Navarro family's heiress.
The Navarro family were the undisputed rulers of the East Coast. For the Gambinos, establishing ties with them was the highest honor.
And the Navarro family's boss, whom everyone respected and feared? He was my father.
The only time Papa ever punished me was when I fell for Lorenzo at first sight and insisted on marrying him. It took three days of hunger strikes before he finally relented.
Back then, the Gambino family was nothing. They were a struggling mafia family clawing for power in the West District. Papa hid his identity for their sake and even forged a false one for me.
I was renamed Renee Jones, a farmer's daughter from the remote countryside. No matter how deeply they dug, that was all they would ever find.
Very few people knew that the Navarro family had a daughter.
Papa told me to reveal the truth to Lorenzo only after our marriage. He had even been willing to groom him as his successor.
And I agreed. I'd spent my entire life surrounded by people who fawned over me for my last name—Navarro.
I wanted to believe that if I erased it, whatever love I received would be real and untainted.
However, I didn't expect Lorenzo to throw me away for a woman from the Valente family. I almost laughed at the irony.
…
As the banquet was about to start, I touched up my makeup and waited for someone to escort me downstairs. However, no one came.
When I stepped out, a maid blocked my path. Her expression was cold and almost amused. It was like I was something beneath even her.
"Mr. Gambino said that Mr. Salerno is a distinguished guest of the Navarro family. We wouldn't want a cripple ruining Mr. Salerno's night."
I was seething with anger as I glared at the maid.
"Vincent is here to escort the Navarro family's principessa. This banquet can't even start without me!"
The maid scoffed. "A farmer's daughter claiming to be from the Navarro family? Keep dreaming."
From the railing, I saw Lorenzo sitting at the head of the table and pouring Vincent a glass of the finest wine.
Beside him, standing in the seat that once belonged to me, was Kelly.
Vincent spared her a glance and scanned the hall. He didn't see me.
Lorenzo hesitated, then raised his glass. "Mr. Salerno, since everyone is here, let's toast together and start the banquet."
Vincent's eyes narrowed. His expression turned cold as his gaze sliced through Lorenzo like a blade.
"I came on orders from Don Navarro to deliver a gift to Principessa Navarro. How can the banquet begin if the guest of honor isn't here?"
Under the shocked gazes of everyone in the hall, Vincent rose from his seat and headed upstairs.
Lorenzo moved to stop him, but Vincent's mercenaries blocked his path.
Without saying a single word, he led me downstairs and pushed my wheelchair to the seat of honor.
Then, in front of everyone, he knelt on one knee and pressed a kiss to my left hand.
"It's been a long time, Principessa Navarro."
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