Chapter 10
As the Vencenti family stepped into the grand ballroom, a voice boomed over the speakers, commanding the attention of every elite in the room. "Presenting the titans of the Vencenti Clan—Mr. Zaydan Vencenti, his elegant wife, Mrs. Elina Vencenti, and the world-renowned prodigy of fashion, Miss Marine Vencenti!"
A high-ranking official rushed toward them, bowing low in a gesture of profound respect. "Mr. Zaydan, we are honored. To be honest, we weren't sure the Vencenti family would grace Haru's birthday with their presence."
Zaydan let out a sophisticated chuckle. "And why wouldn't we? Haru's father is the single largest buyer of our boutique's luxury collections. Besides," Zaydan added, glancing around the hall, "I see that nearly half the guests here are wearing Marine's signature designs tonight."
The official smiled at Marine, who looked breathtaking in her attire. "And this masterpiece Miss Marine is wearing... is it one of her own?"
"No," Elina intervened with a gentle smile. "Marine never wears her own creations. This suit is my personal design for her. My daughter deserves only the most unique pieces."
"Exquisite," the official breathed. "She looks like a diamond among stones."
Zaydan's eyes scanned the crowd. "Where is Mr. Aroon? I don't see him."
"I am Mr. Aroon's head butler," the man replied. "Please, enjoy the evening. I shall inform my master of your arrival immediately."
As the butler retreated, Marine's eyes wandered through the sea of masks and suits. For a fleeting second, her gaze locked with a man standing in the corner—a man with a rough beard and sharp, piercing eyes. Ranzo immediately looked away, leaning closer to Sukome.
"You realize the magnitude of the disaster we're facing, don't you?" Ranzo hissed through gritted teeth.
Sukome whispered back, her voice playful yet cautious. "I do. But don't worry, Sweetheart. Your sister won't recognize you in this disguise."
"Are you serious?" Ranzo countered, his heart hammering. "You think a fake beard and mustache are enough to blind her? She knows me better than I know myself."
Marine, meanwhile, frowned. That man... why does he remind me so much of Ranzo? she thought, a strange shiver running down her spine.
"Marine, stay close to us," Zaydan instructed, noticing her distraction. "Don't wander off."
"I'll stay right by your side, Dad," she replied, hooking her arm through his. Ranzo watched them move away, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
My father said Aroon is his biggest buyer... Ranzo thought, his mind racing. He shared this with Sukome. "What do you make of that?"
"It's obvious," Sukome replied. "Aroon clearly loves Marine's designs. The Vencenti name is a global brand; he probably wants the prestige."
Sanko, standing behind them as the 'son', couldn't contain his laughter. "They say a woman's brain is in her knees, and I finally believe it," he snickered.
Sukome's face turned scarlet with rage. "What did you just say?"
Ranzo grabbed Sukome's shoulder, his voice firm. "Quiet! We are on a mission. Control yourself."
Sukome took a deep breath, settling down. "Fine. If my brain is in my knees, then you tell us, oh wise one. What is the game here?"
Sanko leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, cold tone. "Aroon is a Mafia Don. He doesn't buy luxury clothes for 'prestige'. He buys them because Vencenti designs are a currency. He buys the stock, then resells it in the black market at ten times the price. Only the wealthiest elites can afford them, and everyone in this room wearing a Vencenti suit is essentially funding Aroon's empire. He's using your family's art to laundered money."
Ranzo's jaw tightened. "So that's the game. My father thinks Aroon is a loyal customer, but he's just a vulture feeding off our name."
In the back office, the butler approached Aroon. "Sir, the Vencenti family has arrived. Mr. Zaydan, his wife, and the daughter, Marine."
Aroon's lips curled into a predatory smirk. "Ah, so they came. Good."
"The son didn't accompany them," the butler noted.
Aroon laughed, a dry, grating sound. "The son is a useless brat who spends his days lost in video games. He's no threat. But Marine... it seems my men failed to kill her. Perhaps it's for the best. Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?"
The butler hesitated. "Is there... something I should know, sir?"
Aroon leaned back, his eyes gleaming with cold intelligence. "You've been loyal, so I'll tell you. Marine is my own blood. Seventeen years ago, I threw her away like trash. But nature has a cruel way of reminding us of our past."
The butler's eyes widened. "Your... daughter? But how do you know?"
Aroon tapped his own chest. "The Golden Hemolysis. A curse that flows only in our mafia bloodline. My doctors confirmed she has the same golden cells that are eating me alive. I found out a week ago. I thought she was alive to seek revenge, so I tried to eliminate her. But now I see... she doesn't know. She has no idea I am her father. She's just a designer, making me millions. I'll let her stay with the Vincentis for now. She's more profitable to me alive."
Aroon adjusted his suit and stood up. "Let's go greet our 'royalty'."
Meanwhile, it was time for Ranzo's fake family to greet the birthday boy. "No mistakes," Ranzo warned his team.
"Understood, Master Ace," they whispered back.
Sukome took Ranzo's arm, and with Sanko trailing behind, they stepped onto the stage. As they approached, Ranzo felt a heavy gaze. He looked sideways—it was Marine. She was staring at him, her eyes filled with a confusion that bordered on recognition.
Ranzo forced himself to stay in character. He turned to Haru with a charming smile. "Happy Birthday, Mr. Haru. A glorious day for a glorious man."
"Whatever," Haru replied with arrogant indifference. "You may leave now."
Ranzo noticed the way Haru stood—the slight tremor in his hands, the faint smell of expensive gin and heavy tobacco. The scent of a gambler, Ranzo realized.
"I am a huge fan," Ranzo said, leaning in. "Aren't you the one they say is invincible at the gambling tables? The one who never loses a bet?"
Haru's ego flared. A boastful grin spread across his face. "You're sharp. That's right. No one in this world can beat me when the stakes are high."
Exactly what I thought, Ranzo mused, a devilish smile hidden behind his fake beard. Your arrogance will be your coffin, Haru.
As they stepped off the stage, the room went silent. Aroon had entered. Everyone bowed their heads in fear and respect. Everyone, except Ranzo, Sukome, and Sanko. Even Marine stood tall, though she looked pale.
Aroon walked straight to the Vencenti family. "Mr. Zaydan, thank you for coming," he said, his eyes then drifting to Marine. His gaze was filled with a terrifying mix of greed and hidden recognition. "And Miss Marine... why do you look so troubled? Are you unwell?"
Zaydan grew concerned. "Marine? What's wrong, sweetheart?"
Elina reached for her daughter, but Marine was staring at the crowd, her breath hitching. The overwhelming pressure of the room, the hidden eyes, and the strange, haunting familiarity of the bearded man in the corner finally broke her.
Tears began to stream down her face. She felt like she was suffocating in a sea of monsters. Her grip on Zaydan's arm loosened.
"Ranzo..." she whispered, her voice cracking with a desperate, soul-deep longing. "I want to go to Ranzo..."
Her eyes rolled back. Her knees gave out. As she collapsed toward the marble floor, the entire room stood frozen. But one man didn't wait.
Breaking all protocol, abandoning his mission, and risking his life's secret, Ranzo bolted. He shoved through the crowd, his heart screaming her name.
Don't worry... I'm coming for you. I've got you.