Eliana's POV
The morning after I slept in the Don's room, the estate felt different. Eyes following my every moves, even down the corridors.
Cassandra did not attend breakfast. Coward, I laughed Inwardly as I poured my tea calmly. As if yesterday has not ended with an axe hovering above my throat.
I realized something important that morning. Don virelli was keeping a close eyes on me, he believed he was observing me. He didn't know I was also observing him too. I need to be extra careful now.
The Don is feared because he speaks less than he knows. But he is predictable in one way: he values growth, expansion, efficiency and power. I had helped him in meetings before, not out of loyalty but out of survival. Now I am done surviving, it's time to start building.
The first rule of building power inside a kingdom that is not yours? Do not oppose the king. Strengthen his kingdom and carve a small corner within it. I began small, starting with the kitchen staffs who were invincible, ignored and underpaid.
The kitchen seems to hear everything, servants talk when they think no one listens. And I listen.
"Why are the southern suppliers always late?" I asked casually while helping them reorganize storage records.
One of the women blinked at me.
"You shouldn't be asking that."
"I am."
"They pay bribes to Cassandra's cousin before shipments move."
There it was, the information I needed.
"Interesting."
I made a mental note, no more writing on journals. Cassandra wasn't just jealous, she was interfering.
By afternoon, I was in the library reviewing trade logs. If I was going to succeed, I needed enough information. Information builds empire.
Don entered the library without warning, but I already knew it was him from the smell of his Cigar. I've gotten used to a life I never dreamt of, all thanks to my father for making me miserable.
"You're working," he observed.
"I prefer productivity to gossip."
His eyes flicked to the ledgers, as he walked around the table slowly.
"You do not behave like someone who almost lost her life."
"I don't intend to almost lose it again."
"You believe you can protect yourself here?"
"No." I replied calmly "I believe I can make myself too valuable to remove."
His gaze darkened slightly. "You think in transactions."
"I learned from the best."
DON'S POV:
It began subtly, Staff reassignments that improved efficiency without my orders. Suppliers reporting directly to Eliana "for clarity." by the third report, I knew she was building something. Not rebellion but influence, and if she's not controlled faster she'll divide my power turning it into a weakness.
I summoned Matteo "Who speaks to her most?"
"The kitchen staff. Two junior accountants. One of the newer guards."
"Replace the guards and kitchen staffs immediately and quietly" I instructed Mateo fiercely. By evening I was told by one of the guards who saw her earlier that she was in the library, I walked in quietly.
Looking at the ledgers before her, I asked softy "you reorganized supplier routes."
"They were inefficient." she said
"You reassigned staff." I added.
"They were underperforming."
I walked around the desk quietly, "You move without permission."
"I improve what you built." she said trying to fake a smile.
"You assume I require improvement." I added, still observing her fce, "You gather loyalty," I said quietly.
She did not deny it. "I gather competence."
I asked her if she Intended to rule my estate but she simply nods, stating she doesn't want to be powerless in it and has no intention of ruling.
"You mistake my patience for tolerance," I warned.
"i apologize if that's what it feels like, do not mistake my ambition for disloyalty." she said slightly bowing her head.
Silence settled between us as I stepped closer to her, "Everything inside these walls answers to me. Do not test my patience again".
The next morning, I dismantled what she thought she was building in my empire. No one comes or gives order against my wish even if it's to my own benefit. I do not risk power.
I transferred the accountant, restricting her access to financial records and cut off suppliers communications systematically and efficiently. By night fall, her influence should have collapsed I assured myself inhaling my cigar.
I was wrong, her influence did not fall. Reports continued going to her, this time coming through unofficial routes.
Three days later, I followed one of the junior staff discreetly. He did not go to the main office, he went beneath it. An old wine storage tunnel I haven't used for years. I stepped into the underground corridor quietly, voices echoing, I heard her speaking. She stated she wasn't going to oppose me, she would strengthen weak points so I'll keep them for being valuable.
Brave and smart of her to think not building against me would make me keep her, I hate sharing power with anyone and that she seem to be competing with. She was building an underground efficiency network in my empire, invincible and loyal to her.
I stepped into the light, she froze when she saw me and quietly dispersed the men. They left hurriedly obeying her command. Interesting.
I walked closely to her "why do you defy me?"
"I didn't, I'm only adapting to you." she replied sharply.
"You hide beneath my estate." I asked her, furrowing my brows.
"I'm trying to reinforce it Don."
Silence settled between us for a moment then I continued "You are building an underground world,"
"Yes." she answered honestly.
"What makes you think I would allow it" I exhaled deeply, blowing the smoke of my cigar in her face. She clears her throat a little, trying to turn her face and continued "I don't think you would allow it, believe you will try to crush it, And you won't succeed."
What confidence, the scardy cat Eliana I bought years back now challenges me bravely.