The Mafia & The Billionaire

Serene’s POV

That should keep them busy while I speak with the lawyer and arrange the transfer of my inheritance to me. The anniversary party was the talk of the town, and Enzo and Patt did everything they could to prevent any of my public exposure through Nadine. I wanted to maintain an air of mystery, and I’m sure Lorenzo will try to use that to his advantage. But I’ll let him think he can still take what’s mine.

He might believe he has the situation under control because none of our encounters or the video I showed at the party about my mother were mentioned. The news only covered how happy and successful the party was. Prizes and giveaways were distributed to everyone. Everything went according to plan, and that’s all that matters.

After Alex left for work, I decided to stay in our bedroom. I didn’t have any plans for the day after all the preparations we made for the party. The men my mother had placed in the company are reliable and loyal to me and the organization. I believe my mother made sure they were there for me when she was no longer around. Patt didn’t have any trouble accessing the company’s data with their help. And if he does encounter any difficulties, Nadine is always there to assist.

As I was scrolling and browsing my phone, it suddenly rang. “What?” I asked, annoyed.

“Boss, you have an appointment today at Aristocracy Restaurant,” Patt informed me.

“I don’t remember agreeing to any meetings for today,” I replied.

“This one is unexpected, but it’s important for you to attend,” he said.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“What time?” I inquired.

“At 5,” I was relieved that it wasn’t until later, as I wanted to stay in bed for now and do nothing. Since Patt had already checked the details of the meeting, I didn’t need to worry about it.

“Alright, remind me later, though,” I replied, ending the call and returning to stalking Mavie’s social media. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw that she hadn’t posted anything about the anniversary party. Even though I anticipated it, it still filled me with delight. Then I decided to stalk Ryan. That man is foolish. I thought he would be at the party with Mavie since they were already a couple when I left the mansion. I wondered why he wasn’t there.

I continued scrolling and browsing all day until Patt called to remind me about the meeting. I got up from bed and dressed myself. The Aristocracy Restaurant is a well-known establishment where wealthy people go for fine dining. Enzo drove me and Patt there, and as always, the place was exquisite. I expected to meet someone rich and famous, but I didn’t anticipate the person sitting at the reserved table for my meeting.

I glanced at Patt, but he seemed serious, so I decided to proceed and reprimand him later. He left after I sat down on the chair; he pulled out for me. “You’re just in time,” Alex said.

Yes, it was my husband, and I had no idea what he was up to by arranging this meeting through Patt. We could have easily talked at his house, so I don’t understand why we had to sit here. I placed my bag on the table, crossed my arms, and looked at him. “I was trying to enjoy my time at home and had no intention of going out, but Patt called me to inform me about this meeting that I knew nothing about,” I said.

“Are you done?” he asked with a stoic expression. I mirrored his look because I didn’t want him to think he could control me, no matter how pleased he was. Just because I agreed to our marriage doesn’t mean he can make me do whatever he wants.

“Why are we here?” I asked instead.

“I wanted to have dinner,” he replied, and I was taken aback. He made me leave the house and dress up just because he wanted to have dinner. “Before you go on a rampage, I didn’t think I could get you to agree if I just told you about it. So, I arranged this meeting through your assistant,” he explained.

Rampage? That’s an understatement! I wanted to unleash my fury! I felt perfectly fine at home and didn’t enjoy dining in a place like this unless it was necessary. But I had to calm myself because he was right-I wouldn’t have come with him if he had asked. The waiter approached us and handed us the menu. I’m not a picky eater, so I told him to order for both of us. After the waiter left, we stared at each other, and I had no intention of starting a conversation with him.

“You look like you want to strangle me to death; did you know that?” he asked, a smile appearing on his lips.

“Because that’s exactly what I want to do to you right now,” I replied.

“You want to become rich that easily?” he asked, his smile widening. No, it wasn’t a smile-it was a grin.

“I’m going to give away your money to the less fortunate. So your legacy will live on,” I responded, and he chuckled. Almost everyone at the table turned to look, but I couldn’t care less.

“Look who we have here?” A woman’s annoying voice interrupted our staring contest. I cast a glance at her, completely ruining my already tense mood.

“I didn’t expect to see you here after what happened last night, huh?” I smirked. I could see Daisy’s face harden. I was sure she was pissed.

“Have you seen the news? The anniversary party was a success, and everyone left happy,” she said. Internally, I smiled because I knew they had let their guard down.

“Oh my gosh, are you Mr. Alexander McGregor?” Mavie exclaimed when she noticed my husband sitting with me. Alex didn’t even acknowledge her, but she looked thrilled. Based on Patt’s investigation, he wasn’t the type to talk to people without an appointment, so it didn’t surprise me.

“Mr. McGregor, I don’t know why you’re sitting with her at the same table. But I have to warn you about her; she’s not what she seems,” Daisy said. Alex raised an eyebrow and asked,

“And what exactly is she?”

“She may look elegant and smart, but she’s the opposite. She’s ignorant; she comes from the countryside, and she knows nothing about life in the city,” Daisy replied. “Look at my daughter; she’s elegant and brilliant. You should be with a woman like her. I’m her mother, so I know,” she added.

“You mean she’ll be like you?” Alex asked, and Daisy smiled. “Then she’ll be another man’s mistress, just like her mother,” he added, and I wanted to burst out laughing, but I held it in. Instead, I quickly grabbed my phone, snapped a photo of them, and started laughing.

I loved the expression on Mavie’s face, and if I were in her shoes, I’d rather die than stand there. “You should know that I was at the party last night and saw more than enough,” Alex said, returning to his phone.

“You can laugh now, but do you know why we’re here?” Daisy asked. The smile faded from my face as I looked at her. “We’re here for a family dinner, something you’ll never have because you don’t have a mother and were disowned by your father,” she added.

I wanted to explode. That was taboo for me-something I didn’t like to hear. Alex glanced up, but my training as a prominent mafia leader had taught me to suppress my emotions. I know I can handle it.

“If I had a mother like you, I’d rather have her dead. Just like the kind of father I have, I’m glad I have nothing to do with LORENZO,” I retorted, and their faces turned angry.

They left just in time for the waiter to return with our food. I wanted to go home and be alone.

However, I had to put up with the pain, loneliness, and emptiness I felt inside because I didn’t want Alex to think Daisy’s words had a big impact on me.

Daisy was right; I wasn’t who I appeared to be. I may be tough on the outside, but deep down, I’m also a girl who craves the care of the people who were supposed to love and care for me-someone like my mother and father.