The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

“Why is he coming? I mean… I mean… he must be incredibly busy, and I never expected him to make it for lunch. That’s why I invited you here alone,” Emma hesitated, her expression suddenly shifting. However, a smile quickly appeared on her face as she continued, “So that we could spend some quality time with you, dear.”

Sofia, considering how pleasantly surprised they would be by her husband’s gentle demeanor, responded, “But, ma’am, Leonardo is my husband, and it’s customary for a married woman to visit her parents’ home with her husband. He will be delighted to meet you all.”

The mention of the name ‘Leonardo Morelli,’ the notorious Mafia King, usually conjured images of ruthlessness and heartlessness in the public eye. Yet, Sofia knew a different side of him-a gentle and polite man when it came to his family. She was confident that he would not display any rudeness towards her own kin.

“Mum, what is she doing here?” Sofia’s ears were pierced by Kat’s harsh voice.

“Kat, mind your manners. She is your sister, and I invited her for lunch. So, behave appropriately,” Emma admonished her daughter, a rare display of authority.Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

Kat cast a disdainful gaze upon Sofia, her eyes filled with disgust. “How could you do this, Mum? You know how much I despise her, and now that Leonardo has shown his affection for her, she’s everywhere in the media. I hate her even more now,” Kat spat out, grinding her teeth, her eyes shooting daggers at Sofia.

Sofia was taken aback. She had no idea what Kat was referring to. She hadn’t been following the news lately, as she had been completely out of touch with the world during her time sailing on the yacht with Leonardo.

“Kat, stop talking nonsense and go to your room this instant!” Emma scolded her daughter, surprising Sofia once again. Emma had never stood up for Sofia in such a manner before. Sofia couldn’t help but wonder what had caused this sudden change of heart in her stepmother.

“Have some juice, Sofia,” Uncle Mak suggested kindly, recognizing her fatigue and hunger. He arrived with a butler, who carried a tray filled with refreshing juice and delectable sandwiches.

Sofia was initially inclined to wait for Leonardo, but this was the first instance where Uncle Mak displayed such thoughtfulness towards her. Declining his offer might appear impolite, she thought. Thus, she decided to accept his gesture, appreciating the rare courtesy.

Carefully, Sofia selected a glass of juice from the tray and took a small sip to quench her thirst. Emma, noticing her hesitation, encouraged her further. “Have a sandwich, Sofia,” she urged, extending the plate towards her.

Sofia gently declined, responding, “No, I want to wait for Leonardo. I’ll eat with him.” In that instant, she caught a fleeting glimpse of anger in Emma’s eyes, but it soon vanished, replaced by a warm and understanding expression. Emma smiled reassuringly, assuaging any tension that may have arisen. “Okay, dear, we’ll all wait for Leonardo. But do finish your juice, alright?” she suggested kindly.

Sofia nodded, acknowledging Emma’s request, and took another sip from her glass. However, as the liquid touched her lips, an unexpected sensation washed over her. Her head began to spin, and a sudden throbbing pain pulsed through her forehead. Sofia, overcome by dizziness, instinctively closed her eyes. Her grip on the glass weakened, causing it to slip precariously from her hand. Just in time, Emma reached out and caught the glass, preventing it from shattering on the floor. Emma held onto Sofia for support.

“What happened, Sofia? Are you alright?” Emma’s voice seemed distant to Sofia’s ears, faintly audible amidst the haze of her disoriented state.

“I… I don’t know,” Sofia managed to reply, her words slurring due to the disarray in her mind. “I’m feeling… somewhat dizzy.”

Emma showed concern as she realized Sofia’s condition. “Oh dear, you must be exhausted. Come with me, and let’s find you a place to rest for a while.” Tenderly, Emma guided Sofia toward the guest room.

Before Sofia could take a single step, however, her brain abruptly ceased to function, and darkness enveloped her consciousness. Overwhelmed by the suddenness of it all, Sofia’s body went limp, and she succumbed to unconsciousness, collapsing into Emma’s arms.

********

The drug Emma and Mak had added to Sofia’s juice began to take effect, causing her to lose consciousness. Upon hearing Sofia mention that Leonardo would be joining them, Emma’s panic became palpable. She realized she had to think and act quickly before Leonardo arrived.

Emma hesitated to agree when Mak revealed his plan to her. After all, he was the mastermind behind all the attacks on Sofia. Emma feared the consequences of getting caught, but as they delved into the details of the plan, she found his offer incredibly tempting. Mak managed to convince Emma that his plan was foolproof and that they would come out unscathed. The only person at risk would be Sofia.

Emma came to the unsettling realization that no one would truly care if something happened to Sofia. Her only concern was Leonardo, who had grown increasingly cautious and worried about Sofia’s well-being. However, their marriage had only lasted a month, and Emma doubted that Leonardo would continue to be concerned for Sofia. She believed that Sofia held no significance in anyone’s life. So why to keep her alive when her death could bring them substantial benefits? If they obtained Sofia’s signature on some important documents and ended her life, Emma and Mak would become the wealthiest and happiest individuals in the world.

“Emma, hurry up. We need to take her to our hideout before someone comes to trouble us,” Mak urged, a sense of urgency in his voice.

Carlo had been in his room, and Emma had also sent Kat to her room, leaving them occupied and unlikely to leave anytime soon. However, Sofia’s bodyguards were stationed outside the mansion, and Leonardo could arrive at any moment. Emma knew they had to relocate Sofia promptly.

“Mak and Lana, both of you take her to our hideout. I’ll stay here to divert their attention in case someone comes searching for her,” Emma instructed, aligning their actions with the plan.

Emma desired to remain at the mansion because if she also went missing, suspicions would be raised. Additionally, even though the chances of their plan failing were minimal, she wanted to err on the side of caution and play it safe.

Mak and Lana both nodded in agreement, understanding the urgency of the situation. Emma led them towards a hidden door that concealed a secret passage within the Ricci mansion. This passage led to the backside of the mansion and was known only to Carlo and Emma. With careful steps, they navigated through the secret passageway, ensuring their movements remained unnoticed by anyone within the mansion.

Once Mak and Lana had safely exited through the secret passage, Emma returned to the dining hall, taking her seat as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. She concealed her anxiety and maintained a composed demeanor, waiting patiently for the anticipated phone call from Mak.

This call would signal that they had reached their designated secret location, where Sofia would be coerced into signing crucial documents before her life was tragically taken.

**********

Leonardo’s anxiety grew as he realized he was running late. He knew Sofia would be furious, as he was scheduled to visit her parents for the first time since their marriage. When he finally arrived at the imposing Ricci mansion, his eyes scanned the surroundings, and to his dismay, he found all the bodyguards standing outside the house.

“What the fuck?” Leonardo muttered, frustration coursing through his veins. He had explicitly instructed the bodyguards never to leave Sofia’s side, yet they had defied his orders. In a fit of anger, he yanked open the car door and rushed towards the house, with Mark closely following behind.

Leonardo’s fury reached its peak as he grabbed the collar of one of the bodyguards, his voice laced with venom. “What the fuck are you doing here? You should be with my wife, Mrs. Sofia Leonardo Morelli, inside the house! How the fuck dare you leave her alone?”

The bodyguard, struggling to catch his breath, stammered out a response. “B… boss… m… ma’am told… us to stay outside. S… sorry, boss, but it wasn’t our fault. W… we just followed orders,” he managed to utter.

Leonardo’s face contorted with rage. He wanted to choke the bodyguard, his frustration boiling over. However, Mark swiftly intervened, separating Leonardo from the trembling guard.

“Boss, please let him go. Our priority is to check on Mrs. Morelli. Let’s go inside,” Mark advised, urging Leonardo to focus on the task at hand.

Leonardo’s heart thumped loudly with fear in his chest, and he knew he had to find Sofia before it was too late. He had become increasingly aware that someone within the Ricci clan posed a threat to her life. He had even investigated Sofia’s father and stepmother, learning that they were both in Genoa at the time of Lady Ricci’s death. This information seemed to clear them of any involvement in the disappearance of the will. However, Leonardo couldn’t entirely eliminate them as suspects.

As Leonardo hurried inside the mansion, his eyes darted around the hall, searching for any sign of Sofia. He disregarded formalities, his only focus was on finding his beloved wife. With each passing moment, his concern mounted. When he reached the dining area, his heart sank. Emma sat alone at the table, partaking in a solitary lunch. It was unsettling, as Emma had invited Sofia for lunch, yet there was no plate set for anyone else.

His anger bubbling to the surface, Leonardo’s voice resonated through the room.

“Where is my wife?” he roared, his anger and worry merging into a volatile mix.