His Fiancée Betrayed Him Publicly—Then the Mafia Boss Chose the Woman Everyone Mocked
Chapter 9
The following year changed everything.
Adrian turned Moretti Holdings into a more transparent company.
Several businesses were separated from old family interests.
Independent directors were appointed.
Legal oversight increased.
Some people called it weakness.
Adrian called it freedom.
Elena became Chief Operating Officer.
She didn’t receive the title because she was Adrian’s partner.
She received it because she had spent a year proving herself.
She was excellent.
She understood operations.
She understood people.
And she had no fear of telling Adrian when he was wrong.
One evening, they sat in his office.
“You know what everyone says?”
“What?”
“That you changed me.”
Elena smiled.
“Did I?”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“You reminded me I could change.”
She took his hand.
“What about Isabella?”
“What about her?”
“Do you still think about what happened?”
He thought for a moment.
“Sometimes.”
“Why?”
“Because betrayal teaches you to doubt everyone.”
“And me?”
“I don’t doubt you.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
Months later, Adrian took Elena back to the Bellagio Grand.
The same ballroom.
The same chandeliers.
The same podium.
Elena stopped at the entrance.
“You brought me here.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I want to fix a memory.”
She looked at him.
The ballroom was empty.
Adrian walked to the center.
“That’s where she humiliated me.”
Elena nodded.
“And that’s where I saw you.”
She smiled.
“You were bleeding.”
“I remember.”
“You were miserable.”
“I was.”
She stepped closer.
“Now?”
He smiled.
“Now I’m here.”
He took out a small box.
Elena froze.
“Adrian.”
“I don’t want a wedding because people expect it.”
He opened the box.
“I don’t want a marriage built around money or family contracts.”
He took her hand.
“I want a life where you can still tell me I’m wrong.”
She laughed through tears.
“That’s a dangerous promise.”
“I know.”
He lowered himself to one knee.
“Will you marry me?”
Elena stared at him.
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
The woman everyone had mocked had just become the future Mrs. Moretti.
But before they could celebrate, Elena noticed something.
A man standing at the far end of the ballroom.
Marco.
Watching them.
He smiled.
Then disappeared.
