'For no reason, a wave of tightness gripped her chest.
Why did Ray and Cantarella know each other?
And furthermore...
Why was their interaction so... ambiguous?
Could it be that Ray had "betrayed" me?
Alright, using the word "betray" might be too heavy.
After all, he never truly belonged to the family. Between us, when it came down to it, it was merely a collaboration.'
Carlotta gently pursed her lips, standing atop the high ground of the Whisperwind Shores, gazing out at the distant city of Ragunna.
Her expression still appeared calm; her lovely face showed no signs of emotional turbulence.
But, Why did it still hurt so much inside?
Like a tiny thorn had lodged there, not deep, yet impossible to ignore. The more she tried not to mind it, the more she was aware of its presence.
"Second Young Miss?"
His voice came from behind, pulling Carlotta temporarily back from the churning thoughts.
Ray's voice was very soft, carrying a note of caution.
He wasn't sure if Carlotta was still angry at this moment, suffering a setback in the first confrontation with the family's longstanding adversary, even someone with her upbringing might have difficulty keeping her emotions in check.
"Aren't you going to explain to me?" Carlotta asked him in a tone that was even and devoid of particular emotion, very matter-of-factly. "About you and Cantarella?"
"Uh..."
It seemed it couldn't be hidden any longer.
"Ah, Second Young Miss. Honestly, things really aren't as complicated as you imagine."
Ray let out a long sigh and decided to just tell Carlotta everything that had happened earlier at sea.
After hearing it, Carlotta first frowned, looking at Ray with suspicion. "You're saying that while you were heading to Penitent's End, you were attacked by Cetus, and then Cantarella saved you?"
"Mm," Ray nodded honestly.
She fell silent for a moment, then turned around, her fingertips unconsciously resting lightly on her chin, as if sorting through this sudden influx of information.
"...Just one encounter?" Her voice lowered, then she suddenly turned back, taking a step forward to look up intently into his eyes. "Then why... did she seem so intimate with you?"
"This... I really don't know!" Ray was almost at a loss for words, a touch of helplessness in his tone. "I swear, the head of the Fisalia family, Miss Cantarella, I've only met her that one time. Why she acted like that... I truly have no idea. Second Young Miss, please believe me."
"Is that so?" Carlotta narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze moving meticulously over his face as if searching for any flaw. "Could it be... she took a liking to you?"
"Then I wouldn't know." Ray rubbed his nose.
'Ah, being handsome brings so many troubles.'
Carlotta gave a light hum, looking at him with a subtle expression. "Then let me ask you, between me and that woman, whose side are you really on?"
This was practically a life-or-death question.
Ray immediately straightened his posture, a look of absolute solemnity on his face. "There cannot be two suns in the sky; there is only the Second Young Miss, my one and only sun!"
"That's more like it." Hearing this answer, the gloom between Carlotta's brows eased slightly. She tossed her hair back with satisfaction, but then, out of the blue, pressed on: "And what about Phoebe?"
Ray was instantly rendered speechless. He stood there stammering for a long while, unable to give a clear answer.
Carlotta's expression darkened a bit more. "And Phrolova? Which side will you stand on then?"
This time, Ray simply turned his face away, remaining silent.
"Ray, you—!"
"Second Young Miss," he hurriedly cut her off, awkwardly steering away from this dangerous topic. "I think right now... it's more appropriate to discuss important matters. Like the auction, and the Fasciaspina family situation."
"Hmph, you're right. I'll note this down for now; we'll settle it properly later, don't forget, you're this lady's boyfriend right now!"
A bit of well-timed pettiness could actually bring people closer.
Precisely because she understood this, Carlotta never used her status to bully Ray relentlessly like others might.
Doing that would be meaningless, except to make him resent her.
Besides, she had no right to meddle in Ray's private life.
Unless...
That false identity became real.
"So, Second Young Miss. What's our next move?"
"No rush. We'll wait for Giacomo to get desperate."
...
...
Ever since his scheme was exposed, Giacomo lived every day under the shadow of fear.
He understood better than anyone how the Montelli family would exact revenge.
The Montelli never truly let a blood debt go unpaid.
Now, the first stage of retaliation had begun.
The Montelli family was withdrawing its investments on a massive scale and acquiring the Fasciaspina family's assets at rock-bottom prices.
Giacomo's wealth was shrinking almost by the second, like sand in an hourglass, silent yet swift.
And this was only the beginning.
Next would come the second step, the third... until finally, he and his family would be completely devoured, sinking into an abyss where no one could see.
Giacomo clearly realized that if he didn't act now, all that awaited him was a death without a proper burial.
Though he also understood, even if he fought back, the outcome might remain unchanged.
But at least, in the struggle, there was still a sliver of hope for survival.
Although the Fasciaspina family secretly served the Order and the Fisalia family, they were also deeply entangled with the Montelli.
Precisely because of this, neither the Fisalia family nor the Order truly cared about the Fasciaspina family's survival.
They were even happy to use them as bait, the moment the Montelli family overstepped, they could use it as a pretext to move against them.
The destruction of the Fasciaspinas, in their eyes, wasn't a loss, but a valuable pawn.
They eagerly awaited this family's demise, because its death would give them the excuse they needed to act.
But perhaps...
Giacomo could still choose to turn the tables, to completely destabilize the situation, forcing the Montelli to break Ragunna's current peace at any cost.
By then, even if the Fasciaspina family met its end, the Montelli would be doomed to fall with him!
"That woman!" Giacomo clenched his fist and slammed it hard on the table. "If I kill her... the Montelli family will never let it go! Even if I die, they will ultimately be dragged down with me!"
His eyes were bloodshot, his face gaunt with exhaustion, yet a near-tangible madness enveloped him like a shadow.
"Yes... kill her!"
"I must kill her!"
What began as a suppressed whisper gradually transformed into uncontrollable, maniacal laughter.
He had made up his mind, he would act on the day of the auction.
He would turn everything completely upside down!
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