The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Emma’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, interrupting her evening relaxation. She picked it up and glanced at the screen, noting an unfamiliar number flashing before her eyes. Intrigued yet cautious, she answered the call, unsure of what awaited her on the other end.

“Hello?” Emma’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke into the receiver.

A deep, mysterious voice responded, “If you want to uncover the whereabouts of Lady Ricci’s missing will, you must come to the address I’m about to give you.”

Emma’s mind immediately went into a state of alarm. The proposition seemed dubious, and she had every reason to dismiss it as a prank or a scam. Yet, an inexplicable curiosity gnawed at her, urging her to delve deeper into this mysterious revelation. What if there was truth behind the stranger’s words? What if he possessed information about the will that she desperately sought? Emma wrestled with her conscience, torn between dismissing the call and venturing into the unknown.

Eventually, her longing for answers overcame her initial doubts. Emma made up her mind, deciding to trust her instincts and meet the anonymous caller. There was something about the missing will that intrigued her deeply, and she yearned to uncover the secrets that lay hidden within. However, she knew better than to divulge her intentions to her husband, Carlo, fearing that he would try to dissuade her from pursuing this enigmatic path.

Taking a daring step, Emma discreetly concealed a gun within her garter belt, ensuring her protection should the need arise. She decided to dismiss her driver for the evening, opting to navigate the winding streets and clandestine rendezvous alone.

Arriving at the designated location, Emma parked her car nearby, her heart pounding within her chest as she approached the imposing building. Questions danced in her mind, speculating about the identity of the person who had knowledge of her interest in Lady Ricci’s will. After all, she had meticulously upheld a pristine reputation in society, leaving her puzzled as to why this mysterious individual had chosen to contact her instead of her husband, Carlo.

As Emma neared the entrance of the grand structure, two imposing men clad in black uniforms intercepted her path. Their presence evoked an air of authority, leaving Emma with no choice but to comply with their request. The taller of the two gestured for her handbag, his expression stern yet impassive. Reluctantly, she handed it over, surrendering her personal belongings to the strangers’ custody.

One of the men stationed himself by the entrance, securing the area, while the other motioned for Emma to follow him deeper into the building’s labyrinthine corridors. She hesitated for a moment, her mind filled with apprehension, but a resolute determination spurred her forward. She trailed behind the enigmatic figure.

They passed through a dimly lit, eerie gallery that led Emma to a vast room, bathed in a subdued glow. The space was expansive, allowing her to discern its details with relative ease. The mysterious man motioned for Emma to take a seat on a plush couch and instructed her to wait for his boss.

Nervously, she fidgeted with her fingers, her mind swirling with anticipation and unease. As soon as the man exited the room, closing the door behind him, Emma’s gaze darted around the room. Her fingers grazed the hidden gun tucked securely within her garter belt, finding solace in its presence.

Time ticked by slowly as Emma found herself waiting in the room for over half an hour. Impatience gnawed at her, for she was unaccustomed to waiting for anyone in her privileged life. She had grown accustomed to having her desires fulfilled at the snap of her fingers, especially after marrying Carlo Ricci.

Just as frustration threatened to overtake her, the door creaked open, revealing a large, hulking figure standing before her. Emma gasped audibly, her breath catching in her throat as she laid eyes upon the face of the man who had entered the room. It couldn’t be possible. She must have misunderstood something along the way. The situation seemed surreal.

“Welcome, Emma! Apologies for the delay,” the man uttered, his voice deep and laden with weight.

“You… You’re the one who summoned me here? And why did you claim to possess Lady Ricci’s will?” Emma’s voice cut through the tension, her words direct and purposeful. She had no time to waste.

The man smirked, his tone laced with mockery. “Oh, dear Emma. Always straight to business. You don’t even inquire about my well-being. I didn’t expect such curt manners from a lady of the esteemed Ricci family.”

“It would be wise for you to set aside discussions of manners and etiquette. If you possessed any semblance of decorum, you wouldn’t have clandestinely summoned me here,” she retorted, her voice laced with defiance.

He chuckled, the sound dripping with a dangerous edge. “Why are we at odds, my dear? I called you here to present you with a proposition. One that would prove mutually beneficial to both of us,” he finally spoke, opening his mouth to delve into matters of business.

Emma’s curiosity burned within her, prompting her to lend an attentive ear to the man standing before her. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on him with rapt interest.

“I am listening,” she declared, her voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and caution.

A smirk formed on the man’s face as he observed her eagerness. “You’re very impatient, Emma,” he remarked, acknowledging her enthusiasm. “Yes, Lady Ricci’s will is in my possession,” he admitted, confirming her suspicions.

A surge of anger coursed through Emma as she confronted him. “So, you’re the one who stole the will on the day of Valentina Ricci’s death,” she accused, her tone laced with indignation.

He narrowed his eyes at her, his expression hardening. “Did I have any other choice? That senile old lady signed away the entire Ricci Empire to Sofia Ricci, that daughter of a prostitute,” he retorted, his voice dripping with contempt. “Do you honestly believe she’s deserving of the Ricci family’s wealth, which rightfully belongs to us?”

Emma’s mind reeled in shock. The realization that the old woman had bestowed Sofia with the entirety of the Ricci Empire had eluded her until now. If she had known, she would have taken matters into her own hands and eliminated the old lady herself. Suppressing her rage, she chose to remain silent, intrigued by the man’s story. She craved an ally who shared her deep-rooted hatred for Sofia, and perhaps this man could provide that.

He continued, his voice brimming with ambition. “I intend to amend the will, transferring the entire Empire into my name. If you agree to assist me in this endeavor, I will offer you twenty percent of the shares.”

“What? Only twenty percent for me?” Emma’s brow furrowed, her displeasure evident. “And you, the orchestrator of this scheme, will claim eighty percent? Furthermore, why should I help you? Remember, Sofia is my daughter,” she challenged, her voice tinged with resentment.

He corrected her, a glint of superiority in his eyes. “Stepdaughter,” he emphasized, attempting to diminish the familial bond between Emma and Sofia. “Regardless, whatever Sofia inherits will ultimately belong to us.”

Emma’s mind spun with conflicting thoughts. She was taken aback by the man’s knowledge of her deep-seated animosity towards Sofia, particularly the role she played in spreading rumors about her and her mother. How had he come to possess such intimate details about her life? Nevertheless, she maintained her composure, raising her chin defiantly.

“Listen, twenty percent is far too little,” she countered, her tone firm. “I would appreciate a fifty-fifty arrangement.”

Enraged, the man’s facade crumbled, his anger surfacing. “Are you out of your mind, Emma?” he growled, his voice laced with fury. She winced at the intensity of his words.

“What do you think? I’m the one who took all the risks and did the hard work while you effortlessly reap the benefits,” he snarled, his frustration palpable.

Emma’s mind raced, considering the gravity of the situation. What were the odds that someone would reach out to her with such sinister intentions? It became clear to her in an instant what the man had in mind.

“You still didn’t understand that Lady Valentina Ricci’s death wasn’t a natural cause,” he uttered, a terrifying smirk playing on his lips. Emma’s head snapped towards him, her eyes widening in disbelief. She struggled to process the weight of his words. Did he mean…?

“I had to eliminate her when I discovered she had changed her will, leaving Sofia as the sole heir to the entire empire. She didn’t even consider the rest of us,” he seethed with evident hatred, his voice dripping with malice.

Emma fought to maintain her composure, her heart pounding in her chest. She realized the gravity of the situation, understanding that this man required her assistance. Otherwise, he would never have contacted her and unveiled his sinister intentions.

Keeping her tone polite, she replied, “And what is it that you need from me? I understand you require my help, but what is your plan?”

A glimmer of admiration flashed across his eyes. “Impressive. You’re quite astute. That’s precisely why I chose you. I need you to obtain Sofia’s signature on the papers. I’ve drafted a new will that transfers the entire empire into my name, and once that’s done, I will dispose of that girl. By helping me, you rid yourself of her as well,” he revealed with ruthless determination.

Emma’s interest was piqued by the proposal. She couldn’t deny the allure of permanently removing Sofia from her life. A devious smile danced upon her lips as she responded, “I couldn’t care less about the methods you employ. I simply want her gone for good. However, I do expect to receive a significant share of the property in return.”

The man’s arrogance and stubbornness remained unyielding. “I’ve already offered you the amount I find suitable,” he retorted.

“Please, consider offering me more. It won’t harm you, and assisting you would put me at great personal risk. Besides, if Carlo were to learn of my involvement, it would jeopardize my marriage,” Emma implored, taking a calculated risk to sway him in her favor.

After a moment of contemplation, he conceded, his expression unchanging. “Fine. I will grant you thirty percent, and that’s my final offer. If you’re prepared to work with me, we can seal this deal.”

“I agree,” Emma accepted his proposal, masking her excitement with a composed demeanor. Thirty percent was an exceedingly generous portion, considering the immense value of the empire at stake. Moreover, it presented the opportunity to rid herself of Sofia forever, an advantage she couldn’t resist.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.