He Thought I Was a Joke? I Hid the Heir to His Mafia Empire Chapter 03
The next day, after stabilizing Estelle’s critical condition, I headed to Falcone Manor as promised.
I had no choice but to come. Elena filed a formal complaint against me on the driving platform.
Refusal would result in full forfeiture of my security deposit and a permanent work ban. I could not lose this job.
Elena answered the door, dressed in ivory silk loungewear, obvious hickeys marking her neck.
The air blended the aroma of freshly baked croissants, coffee and expensive perfume.
“Well look who showed up right on time.” She stepped aside with mocking eyes. “Cleaning supplies are in the bathroom. Make everything spotless—Luca is obsessive about hygiene.”
I said nothing and walked straight to the bathroom.
The mansion’s decor retained familiar hints yet felt utterly foreign. Every detail embodied Luca’s cold, luxurious and emotionless taste.
The bathroom was spacious, and the toilet was perfectly clean. Elena only intended to humiliate me.
She leaned against the doorway holding a glass of Sicilian red wine, watching me pull on gloves and grab a scrub brush.
“Heard you dumped Luca for a richer man years ago?” She swirled the wine casually. “What happened to that wealthy boyfriend? Did he discard you? Or were you just a temporary fling?”
I scrubbed mechanically, keeping silent.
“That’s none of your business.”
“It absolutely is my business.” She clicked her heels across the tiles. “Luca is mine now. I deserve to know all about his past.”
She leaned close and lowered her voice. “How dare you show your face again? I’d hide away forever if I were you.”
“I’m only here to work.” I stood upright and stared back coldly.
“Work?” Elena burst into mocking laughter. “Do you truly believe Luca summoned you just to clean toilets?”
She suddenly spilled red wine across the floor.
“Oops, my hand slipped.” She blinked innocently. “Clean this mess up too.”
I sighed deeply and grabbed a rag.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway just then.
Luca appeared at the doorway wearing dark gray casual homewear. He frowned sharply seeing the wine stain.
“What happened here?”
“Luca darling!” Elena instantly changed her demeanor and threw herself into his embrace. “I tried offering Vera a drink, but she rejected me and spilled the wine herself.”
Her skillful twisting of the truth was astounding.
I met Luca’s gaze without attempting to defend myself.
No explanation would matter. He already believed I was greedy and deceitful.
As expected, Luca paid me no mind, gently stroking Elena’s hair instead. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine, just frightened.” Elena snuggled closer. “Vera seems to hate me deeply.”
Luca turned toward me, his gaze sharp as a blade. “Apologize.”
“I didn’t spill the wine.” I held my ground and locked eyes with him.
“I said apologize.” His tone dropped, carrying unshakable authority.
“I won’t apologize for something I didn’t do.”
“Hmph.” Luca pushed Elena aside and advanced toward me steadily.
“You abandoned me for money seven years ago. What’s stopping you from lashing out now?”
He cornered me against the vanity, bracing both hands on either side to trap me in place.
The familiar cedar and tobacco scent clouded my senses, stirring painful memories.
“Don’t force my hand, Vera.”
His eyes held no warmth, only unbridled contempt.
Sharp agony pierced my chest.
“I’m sorry.” The words escaped my gritted teeth.
“I can’t hear a sincere tone.” Elena jeered from behind.
Luca’s lips curved into a cruel smirk. “Kneel down and wipe this clean, and we’ll forget this incident.”
I lifted my head abruptly, staring at him in disbelief. “What did you say?”
“Are you hard of hearing?” He pointed at the stained floor. “Kneel and clean it.”
The man who once swore eternal protection now demanded I kneel before him.
Tears welled up, yet I fought to hold them back.
I endured all this for Estelle, to avoid the heavy fine from the complaint.
I sank slowly to my knees, my knees hitting the cold hard tile heavily.
I wiped the wine stain slowly with the rag.
Elena’s triumphant laughter and Luca’s indifferent stare weighed heavily over me.
In this moment, every shred of my dignity shattered completely.
