When My Identity Revealed, He Begged Me Back

The chatter around the table was lively, but my focus drifted as I swirled the wine in my glass. A hand clapped Xander’s shoulder, pulling him into a conversation in Italian.

“So, Xander,” Marco said, smirking, “when are you tying the knot with Elise Reid? Everyone knows she’s the perfect choice for the Winfield family.”

My grip on the glass tightened. I kept my expression neutral, staring at the candlelight flickering against the polished wood of the table.

Xander’s tone was light, lazy as he replied in Italian. “The wedding’s already planned. Three weeks from now.”

Another voice chimed in, “And Blair? What’s going to happen to her? You can’t marry her with that status difference, can you?”

“She’s…different,” Xander said, his words dripping with affection as his gaze briefly flicked to me. “Marriage to Elise is just for the family. Blair’s the one I care about.”

Their laughter spread like wildfire around the table, and I tried my best to pretend I was busy with my phone.

“Care about her? Xander, you’re too soft!” one teased. “You’ve spoiled her so much, she probably thinks you’ll marry her when she couldn’t even understand us now.”

Another voice added, “It’s cute, really. The poor girl has no idea what’s happening.”

I sat still, fighting the heat rising in my cheeks. None of them knew the truth. Not Xander. Not his friends.

I wasn’t the naive, penniless girl they believed I was. I wasn’t the helpless dreamer clinging to a wealthy man’s coattails.

They thought I didn't understand Italian. However, I'd been learning five different languages since I was little and it included Italian.

I was Blair Gallo—daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Europe.

But I’d spent years hiding that fact, choosing to live independently, to build a life without the shadow of my family’s wealth hanging over me. Xander never questioned it, or maybe he just didn’t care enough to dig deeper.

I had even planned to tell him the truth soon. To introduce him to my family, to show him the life I’d walked away from to be with him.

But now…

Now, I felt like the punchline of a joke I didn’t sign up for.

As the dinner stretched on, their jokes and taunts faded into the background, though they echoed in my head like a cruel refrain. By the time dessert was served, I couldn’t stomach it. The laughter grated on my nerves, and the wine that once felt like comfort now tasted sour.

I excused myself, slipping away from the table and into the quiet of the hallway. My fingers trembled as I pulled my phone from my purse.

The screen lit up, my parents’ number staring back at me like a lifeline I wasn’t ready to grab before tonight.

I hesitated for only a moment before pressing the call button.

“Blair?” My mother’s voice was soft, surprised. “Is everything okay?”

I exhaled. “Mom. Dad. I’ve made up my mind. I’m ready to come home and take over the business.”

There was silence on the other end before my father spoke, “Finally! We’ve been waiting for you to return, sweetheart. Does this mean you’ve told your boyfriend the truth?”

“No,” I replied. “I’ll break up with him.”

My mother’s concern was immediate. “Are you sure? You’ve been with him for so long.”

“Yes,” I said firmly, though the crack in my heart begged to disagree. “I’ll end things here in a week.”

We exchanged a few more words before hanging up. The hallway felt colder, emptier as I slipped the phone back into my purse.

Returning to the table, I plastered on the same calm smile I always wore around them. Xander looked up, his lazy grin returning as I settled into the seat beside him.

“What took you so long, babe?” he asked casually, leaning closer.

“Just some work stuff,” I replied, faking a smile.

The laughter around the table resumed, their taunts continuing as if I wasn’t even there.

But I heard every word. And I understood every single one.

And soon, they’d all understand exactly who they had underestimated.

The front door creaked open, and I stepped inside to find Xander pacing the living room like a caged animal. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and his usually sharp suit was wrinkled, a rare sight for someone so meticulous.

“Blair,” he said the moment he saw me. He was panicking. “It’s over. The Gallo Corporation pulled their investment.”

I paused, slipping off my heels and setting my bag down carefully. “What? Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know!” Xander ran a hand through his hair. “It was a sure thing. I trusted them.”

I stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm in what must have looked like a comforting gesture. “It’s going to be okay, Xander. You’ll figure something out. You always do.”

“No, I won’t.” His voice cracked, and for a moment, I saw a vulnerability I hadn’t seen before. “You don’t understand, Blair. I’ve lost everything.”

“Everything?”

“The money,” he admitted, his eyes darting away from mine. “Our family insurance company’s funds—I gambled them away. I thought I could double it, but…” His voice trailed off, and he collapsed onto the couch, burying his face in his hands. “And then I believed Gallo would save us, but they pulled out. Now, it’s all gone. My father’s gonna kill me if he learns about it. He’s never gonna trust me again.”

I blinked, fighting the urge to laugh. He didn’t know. Of course, he didn’t know.

Because I was the reason the Gallo Corporation had given them the investment and now they had pulled their investment also because of me. I had been helping their company in the shadows for years.

But I was done with it. I call it revenge for years of lies, for the plans he made behind my back while pretending I was the center of his world.

“Xander,” I said softly, keeping the smirk off my face, “maybe it’s not as bad as it seems.”

“It’s worse,” he muttered.

Before I could respond, the door to the apartment flew open. Xander’s secretary, Ed, stepped inside without knocking.

“Mr. Winfield,” he said, his voice trembling, “there’s a mob of protesters outside the office. People are demanding their insurance payouts.”

Xander’s head snapped up, “What?”

“They know we can’t pay them back,” Ed continued, glancing nervously at me before turning his attention back to Xander. “The word is out. They’ve filed complaints. Lawsuits are coming.”

Xander stood abruptly, the panic in his eyes turning into cold anger. “Dismiss them,” he ordered. “Find a flaw in their contracts. Anything. Make sure they can’t claim more than they’re owed.”

The secretary hesitated. “But, sir—”

“Do it!” Xander barked, slamming his fist on the table.

The man nodded quickly and retreated, leaving us alone once more.

The office was eerily silent after Ed left, but Xander’s pacing filled the void. He moved back and forth, his brow furrowed, lips pressed tightly together.

I watched him, my arms crossed, as he muttered to himself. “This can’t be it… there’s got to be a way…”

Then, suddenly, his steps slowed. His head snapped up, his expression shifting as if a lightbulb had gone off.

“Oh, right,” he muttered to himself. “The wed—”

He froze midword, his eyes darting toward me. I stared at him, unblinking, waiting for him to continue.

But he didn’t. Instead, he forced a casual smile, pulled his phone from his pocket, and turned away.

“Give me a second, sweetheart,” he said over his shoulder. Then, he switched to Italian as he paced across the room, the words flowing quickly from his mouth.

But I understood every one of them.

“Move the wedding up,” he said. “This week. I need my fiancee’s money as soon as possible. The company’s going under, and I can’t delay anymore. They need to invest in our company. I don’t care about the details—just make it happen.”

I stood there, frozen, every word carving another wound in my chest.

After finishing the call, Xander slipped his phone back into his pocket and turned to me, his smile practiced, almost rehearsed. “Sorry, sweetheart,” he said. “That was just a business partner. He doesn’t speak English, so I had to use Italian.”

“Right,” I replied, my voice flat.

He didn’t seem to notice my expression. Instead, he walked closer, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Listen,” he said, his tone suddenly soft, like he was trying to be gentle. “I’ve been thinking. Things are really crazy right now with the company. I’m going to be swamped for months, and I don’t want you to be stuck here while I’m working all the time.”

I tilted my head slightly. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying…” He hesitated, as if carefully choosing his words. “I’m saying I want to send you to Hawaii. Just for a little while. You can relax, enjoy yourself. A nice long holiday.”

“Hawaii?” I repeated, my voice laced with disbelief.

“Yeah,” he said, nodding eagerly. “I’ll take care of everything—the flight, the accommodations, all of it. You’ll love it there. And once this business stuff is done, I’ll bring you back. I promise.”

I stared at him, trying to process the audacity of his words. “Why?” I asked. “So you can have space for your bride?”

“What? Bride?” Xander wrinkled his brow. “What are you talking about, Blair? There is no other bride. It’s always been you. I’m just busy right now… things are complicated. I can’t focus on a wedding until everything is sorted.”

I stared at him, the calm façade I held barely masking the storm inside me. “Stop,” I said, shaking my head.

“Stop what?” he asked, feigning confusion.

“Stop with your shit already,” I snapped. “I know everything, Xander. You think I don’t know Italian? You really thought you could stand there and talk about marrying Elise Reid to save your company while I was in the room?”

His face fell. “Blair, I—”

“No,” I interrupted, anger rising as I remembered. “You and your friends. All those times you laughed at me. You made me a joke, thinking I wouldn’t understand.” My fists clenched as the words poured out. “But I understood it all, Xander. Every single word.”

He froze, his mouth opening and closing as if he were searching for the right thing to say. “Blair, wait, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen this way. I… I had no choice.”

“No choice?” I asked.

Xander exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I have to marry Elise,” he admitted, his tone almost pleading. “It’s for the family. If I don’t, the company will collapse. Do you understand what that means? Winfield Insurance is the number one healthcare insurance company in America. If I can’t save it—if I can’t fix this—everything will be gone. The business, my father’s legacy… everything.”

I folded my arms, refusing to let him see the crack forming in my resolve. “So, that’s it? You just marry her, and I’m supposed to wait on the sidelines?”

“It’s not like that,” he said quickly. “It’s not serious. It’s just… an arrangement. Blair, I still love you.”

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “You love me, yet you think you can throw me scraps while you play the perfect husband for Elise? What am I? Your barbie doll?”

Xander stepped closer, his hands reaching out as if to reassure me. “Blair, please. You don’t understand the pressure I’m under.”

I took a deep breath, forcing my emotions to the side. “What if I could help you?”

He blinked, surprised by my words. Then, to my disgust, he laughed.

“Help me?” he asked. “Blair, this isn’t a game. Do you even understand the scale of this problem? This isn’t something you can fix. You don’t have the money. You don’t have anything.”

The words hit me like a slap, but I refused to let him see how much they hurt. I sighed, shrugged, and forced a cold smile. “Fine, Xander. Do your business.”

I turned and walked away, leaving him standing there.

The bar was dimly lit, the hum of low conversation mixing with the clink of glasses. I sat in the corner, nursing a drink and trying to drown the ache in my chest.

How had I let this happen? How had I spent so many years with someone so blind, so selfish?

I swirled the liquid in my glass, the ice cubes clinking softly. All I could think about was the betrayal, the lies, the man I’d wasted so much of myself on.

Then my phone buzzed.

I picked it up, expecting nothing more than a message or spam call. But what I saw made my grip tighten around the glass.

A wedding invitation.

From Elise Reid.

I opened it, my stomach twisting as I read the elegant script. The wedding was formal, grand, dripping with all the luxury her family could afford. And she had sent this to me directly.

It wasn’t a mistake.

It was to provoke me.

We had all gone to the same high school, years ago. Elise had always wanted Xander. But he had chosen me back then. And Elise was furious because she lost to someone like me, a no one as they weren't aware of my real identity since.

Now, she was rubbing it in my face. She had finally gotten her chance to take him from me, and she wanted me to see it firsthand.

My chest burned with anger. I placed the phone down and picked up my drink, finishing it in one bitter gulp.

A cold resolve settled over me as I dialed a number I hadn’t used in years.

The line clicked, and a familiar voice greeted me. “Miss Gallo?”

“It’s me,” I said evenly to my butler. “Prepare the most expensive wedding gown you can find. And bring out the full set of jewelry from the family vault.”

There was a pause. “A wedding gown, Miss Gallo?”

“Yes,” I said, my lips curling into a smile. “I have a wedding to attend.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The ceremony is about to begin,” the announcer’s voice echoed through the grand hall.

I stepped through the towering double doors, deliberately late, just as the guests settled into their seats.

Gasps rippled across the room.

“Is that a wedding gown?” someone whispered.

“It can’t be,” another murmured.

“Wait… look at her neck! That’s the Cartier gold necklace!”

“The limitededition one? There were only three made!”

“The last time it was seen, the Lady of the Gallo Clan was wearing it. Who is she?”

I didn’t look at anyone. My gaze was fixed on the couple at the altar—Elise Reid and Xander Winfield. Xander’s posture stiffened as his eyes met mine,. Elise, however, wasn’t so composed. Her smile wavered, her hands clenching the bouquet tighter.

I walked forward, the gown’s train gliding behind me. Each step seemed to pull the air from the room, leaving only whispers in its wake.

“Sorry I’m late,” I said smoothly as I reached the front. I tilted my head slightly, meeting Elise’s glare with a faint smile. “I wouldn’t miss your big day for the world. Wishing you both well.”

Elise’s nostrils flared as she forced a smile. “You’re wearing white,” she said, her voice low and cutting. “Only the bride wears white. Surely you know that?”

“Oh,” I said, glancing down at my gown with a feigned look of surprise. “I didn’t mean to. But white is such a lovely color, don’t you think?”

Her mask cracked. The tension in her shoulders was visible now, her composure slipping. “Lovely or not,” she snapped, “you’re out of place. Where did you even get that gown? Or that necklace?”

Her tone shifted, louder now, meant for everyone to hear. “Let me guess—a fake? Or did you take out a loan to pull this little stunt?”

A few chuckles broke out from the crowd, her insult hitting its mark. I smiled, calm and unbothered.

“You don’t know, do you?” I began. “I am the daughter of the Gal—”

The loud bang of a gunshot cut me off.

The crowd froze. The laughter stopped.

“What was that?” someone whispered.

“Was that… a gunshot?” another voice followed, rising with panic.

The room erupted into chaos. Guests screamed and scrambled toward the exits, their heels clicking frantically against the marble floors. Xander grabbed Elise by the arm, pulling her toward the hallway. And he left? That's it!

What an asshole. With not much choice, I followed the crowd.

The hallway was a mess. Bodyguards lay lifeless on the floor, blood pooling around them. Screams echoed as more people ran, trying to escape the scene.

I quickened my pace, the chaos making it hard to focus. Then came another explosion—a deafening blast that shook the building and sent debris flying.

I stumbled but managed to steady myself, coughing through the dust. The hallway ahead was blocked by rubble, forcing me to turn back.

Gunfire erupted again, closer this time.

I moved cautiously, drawn by a mix of fear and curiosity. A partially open door caught my attention, and I peeked inside.

A tattooed man in a hoodie stood in the center of the room, a gun in his hand. The faint scent of gunpowder lingered in the air.

On the floor was Alexus Winfield, Xander’s father and CEO of Alliance Insurance Company. Blood seeped from his chest, staining the expensive carpet.

My breath hitched, and I heard footsteps from behind.

When I slowly turned around, what I saw made my heart stop beating.

I saw a man, a young man, his sharp gaze locking onto mine.

I spun to run, but before I could take a step, his hand gripped my arm, yanking me back. “Not so fast, young lady,” he smirked.

The man’s grip tightened on my arm as I stared at the lifeless body on the floor. Blood pooled beneath Alexus Winfield, staining the oncepristine carpet. My chest heaved, my mind struggling to process what had just happened.

Then it hit me, all at once. The gunshot. The blood. The murderer standing right in front of me.

I opened my mouth and screamed. “Help! Somebody help! Call the police!”

The man didn’t flinch. Instead, he laughed—a low, cold sound that sent chills down my spine.

“Go ahead and scream,” he said. “No one’s coming to save you. Not after that explosion. Everyone’s too busy running for their lives. You’re stuck with me.”

His words made my stomach churn, but I forced myself to stand tall. “What do you want? Are you going to kill me too?”

“Kill you?” He raised an eyebrow, amused. “Why would I kill my alibi?”

“Alibi?” I repeated, my voice trembling. “No. You’re not going to use me as your alibi. You just killed a man, and I want no part of this!”

He chuckled again, his grip unwavering. “You think you have a choice? You saw everything. Do you really think I’m going to let you walk out of here and ruin my perfect crime?”

“Perfect crime?” I scoffed, glaring at him despite my fear. “There’s no such thing. The police will find you. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll testify against you.”

His eyes darkened, the amusement fading. “Then I guess I have no choice but to take you with me,” he said flatly. “You’re not going anywhere until I’m done.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” I said, my voice sharper now. “Do you have any idea who I am? I’m the—”

I stopped myself just in time, the words catching in my throat. My identity. If he knew who I was, he could use it against me. I clenched my fists, swallowing hard, and said nothing more.

The man tilted his head, watching me closely. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

I ignored his taunt, my voice steadier now. “Why are you doing this? Why did you kill him? Who even are you?”

He smirked, his eyes flicking briefly to Alexus’s lifeless body. “He deserved to die. Do you know how many people lost their lives because of him? Because of his healthcare scams?”

“That doesn’t justify murder!” I snapped. “What you did is illegal!”

The man laughed again, shaking his head. “Illegal?” he echoed, his tone mocking. “There’s no legal in this field.”

I stared at him, my confusion mounting. “What does that even mean?”

He shrugged, the smirk still on his face. Then he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“Ever heard of a mafia?”

My blood ran cold.

I blinked, stunned. “Mafia?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

The man’s smirk deepened, but he said nothing.

I’d heard of mafias before, of course. Stories, rumors—people talked about them in hushed tones, like ghost stories from a time long past. But I’d never thought they still existed, at least not here in this city. Thugs, criminals, sure, but a fullblown mafia? That felt like a relic of history.

“You’re… you’re a member of a mafia?” I asked, my voice hesitant.

Before he could answer, the door burst open, and another man stepped in. He was lean but muscular, dressed in black, his face grim.

“Boss,” the newcomer said, his tone urgent. “Elevator’s working. We can go now.”

The tattooed man nodded. “What about Xander?”

The other man hesitated, glancing at me before answering. “We couldn’t get him. He’s down with a lot of people from the ground floor so it’s not save to shoot him.”

I blinked. He was also going to kill Xander?

The tattooed man let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Smart boy,” he muttered. Then his gaze shifted back to me, and the amusement returned to his expression. “At least I got his loving girl.”

I froze, the words slicing through me like a blade. “Excuse me?” I said. That felt like an insult right now. “You’ve got the wrong girl. Xander doesn’t care about me. He’s busy with his new bride!”

The man tilted his head, his smirk widening as he studied me. He stepped closer, the weight of his presence suffocating.

“Then,” he said, his voice low and smooth, “I’ll make you my bride now.”

My heart stopped.

The elevator doors closed with a quiet hiss, and I was yanked forward by his iron grip. Louis, that’s what one of his men had called, but he never confirmed his real identity to me even if I had asked for the nth time already.

Not that it matters right now. I wanted to scream or to fight back, and even escape but I knew better. If I made a wrong move, I wouldn’t make it out of this alive.

Louis stood beside me. His men flanked him, their eyes scanning me with cold detachment. One of them pressed the button for the ground floor.

“Boss,” one of the men said, “the helicopter’s out. The police are everywhere. We need to blend in with the crowd and head to the car waiting downstairs.”

Louis nodded as if he didn’t care. “Yeah. Just as planned. I’ve spent years building a spotless reputation. No one will ever tie me to this.”

I couldn’t help it—I laughed, though it sounded hollow even to my own ears. “Not if you have a witness,” I said, turning my gaze to him.

His head snapped toward me, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “A witness, huh?” He smirked. “Come on, Miss Blair Gallo. You wouldn’t risk your family’s reputation, would you?”

I froze, his words slicing through me like a blade. My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to remain calm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.

“Don’t play games with me,” Louis replied, leaning closer. His voice dropped to a nearwhisper. I could feel his breath on my skin and it sent shivers. “Do you really think I don’t know who you are? The daughter of Europe’s wealthiest family. Blair Gallo.”

My heart sank. He knew? How… the secret I’d hidden for years, the one even Xander didn’t know, was now in the hands of a mafia boss. A mafia boss—right, I couldn’t help but laugh. Of course, a mafia boss could get that information illegally!

I stiffened, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “How did you know?” That was a stupid question but I just couldn’t find any words to say now. I’m trapped! He can kidnap me and ask for ransom. Isn’t that what happens in movies?

He chuckled. “Let’s just say I’ve had my eye on you for a long time,” he said smoothly. “I’m your stalker, Miss Blair. And, if I’m honest, I’m a little obsessed.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I refused to let him see my fear. Fear would only fuel him. Instead, I crossed my arms, lifting my chin slightly. “Why are you doing this? What’s your endgame here?”

Louis leaned against the elevator wall. “Endgame? Well, I just want to build a better world,” he said simply.

I scoffed. “A better world? You’re a mafia boss! If you want a better world, come on, be a police officer or a lawmaker.”

He chuckled, mocking. “And do you think they make the world a better place? Those police officers? Lawmakers? You probably don’t realize but they’re a lot worse. They’re unjust, only protecting what they deemed necessary for their own good.”

I felt the bitterness in him as if he had experienced something worse to become like this.

“Do you have any idea how many people lost their lives because of his scams? The man ruined families, destroyed lives. He got what was coming to him,” he added.

“And that justifies murder?” I snapped. “You don’t get to play judge and executioner!”

He laughed, the sound cold and devoid of humor. “There’s no such thing as justice in this world,” he said. “You should know that by now. Especially in our field.”

Before I could reply, the elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to chaos.

The lobby was a frenzy of movement and noise. Police officers shouted orders, and guests ran in every direction, some screaming, others crying. The bodies of several security guards were sprawled on the floor, blood pooling beneath them. But it seems like they hadn’t recovered Alexus' body yet.

Louis’s grip on my arm tightened as he led me through the chaos, his men close behind. My heart raced, my mind spinning as I searched for an escape.

Then I saw him.

Xander.

He stood near Elise, his arm around her shoulders. Her face was pale. But when Xander’s gaze locked onto mine, his expression changed—confusion flickering across his face.

Elise followed his gaze, and the moment she saw me, her face twisted in fury. She pointed at me, her voice shrill and cutting through the noise.

“Her!” she screamed. “I know. It must be her, police! Look at her! She must be the one who did it! She hates us! She has a motive!”

The room fell silent as every head turned toward me.

“What?” The word escaped my lips before I could stop it. I stared at Elise, her face twisted in smug satisfaction as she pointed at me.

“This must be because Xander broke your heart,” Elise spat. “You couldn’t take it, could you? You couldn’t accept that he chose me. That’s why you did this, Blair!”

I frowned, trying to stay calm despite the growing tension. “I didn’t do anything. What are you even talking about?”

Elise scoffed, stepping closer. “You’re the only one with a motive! You sided with those protesters, didn’t you? You hated Alexus because Xander’s parents despised you. Admit it!”

The murmurs from the crowd grew louder. People whispered, pointing at me. The weight of their stares pressed down on me, suffocating.

Elise jabbed a finger in my direction. “You’ve always been jealous. A poor girl trying to fit in, but never quite making it. Now look at what you’ve done. You killed him! Am I right? Xander, I’m pretty sure she did it!”

I looked at Xander and shook my head. “No, I won’t do that, Xander. You know me.”

Xander shook his head. “I don’t think I know you, Blair. If you kill my father, how could you—”

I slapped him.

“You fucking!” I gritted my teeth. “You think I’m capable of killing—”

“Miss Blair?” one of the police officers said, stepping forward, cutting me off. I tried to calm myself but all I could feel was hatred toward Xander and Elise. “We need you to come with us to the station for questioning.”

“What?” I turned to him, incredulous. “I didn’t do anything! I was there with them when the explosion happened. I couldn’t have done this!”

“Bait,” Elise said. “It was all a trap, wasn’t it? You pretended to be there so no one would suspect you. Admit it. You were even late at our wedding so you must have planned something first and here you are, you also arrived late while the rest of us gathered here.”

“Blair… is this because I hurt you or because my parents arranged this marriage? Why do you have to do this?”

His words stung more than I expected. My hands clenched into fists. “You can’t be serious,” I said, glaring at him. “I had nothing to do with this!”

The police officer didn’t seem convinced. “Miss Blair, we’re going to need you to cooperate. Please come with us to the station.”

“No!” I said, taking a step back. “You can’t pin this on me. I told you, I was there!” I pointed at Louis, whose calm expression hadn’t shifted and he seemed to be amused. “It’s him! I didn’t do it—he did! He killed Alexus!”

The officer raised an eyebrow, glancing at Louis. “Him? That’s impossible.”

I frowned. “Why? What are you talking about? I saw it! I caught him in the act! I’m your witness. That’s why I was late because he had trapped me.”

“No,” the officer said matteroffactly. “You’re kidding, right? He’s Louis Machini.”

I blinked. Louis Machini. That somehow ring a bell. I looked at him. I heard his surname a few times as my mother had mentioned it before and she even mentioned arranging my marriage to a Machini—but that’s not the case now!

“So what if he is a Machini?”

“He is a wealthy businessman, Ivy League graduate, exceptional athlete. Why would someone like him have any motive to kill Alexus Winfield?”

I stared at the officer, stunned by the words coming out of his mouth.

“And I would?” I asked, my voice trembling with anger. “Because I’m a ‘poor girl’? That makes me capable of something like this?”

The officer didn’t blink. “Poor ones always cause trouble,” he said flatly. “Now, come with us.”

Elise smirked triumphantly. “That’s right. Look at her necklace! She probably stole it. There’s no way someone like her could afford something like that!”

“That’s not true!” I snapped. My blood boiled as I looked around at the crowd, all of them avoiding my eyes, their judgment written on their faces.

My chest heaved as I stood tall. “I’m not coming. Do you know who I am? I’m not some ‘poor girl.’ I am Blair Gallo, the daughter of the wealthiest family in Europe!”

The room went quiet for a second before a burst of laughter broke out. People chuckled and whispered to one another, their disbelief clear.

“Yeah, right,” someone muttered.

“She’s just trying to save herself,” another said.

I turned to Louis, anger and desperation coursing through me. “You did this,” I hissed. “You’re the reason they’re blaming me!”

He stepped closer, his smirk deepening. “No, babe,” he said softly, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. “They did this to you because they think you’re poor.”

He leaned in, his words brushing against my ear. “Now do you believe me when I say the law is unjust to the poor?”

I froze, his words echoing in my mind as the world around me seemed to collapse.

The interrogation room was cold and suffocating. I sat in the metal chair, my wrists resting on the table, refusing to look at the officers hovering over me.

“Miss Blair,” one of them said. “If you cooperate, this will go much faster. Why don’t you tell us what you were doing near Alexus Winfield’s room?”

I didn’t answer, keeping my eyes fixed on the table.

“Miss Blair,” another officer pressed, his patience wearing thin, “if you want this to end, tell us the truth.”

I finally lifted my head and stared at him. “I want a lawyer,” I said firmly.

One of them sighed, clearly irritated. “We’ll get to that. But first, you need to answer our questions.”

I leaned back, crossing my arms. “If you let me make one call—to my mother—you’ll have your answers. But you won’t let me, will you?”

The officers exchanged glances but said nothing.

“I demand to call her,” I continued, my voice rising slightly. “If you let me, you’ll know exactly who I am and the truth about all of this.”

“Enough,” one officer snapped, slamming his hand on the table. “You’re not calling anyone until we’re done here.”

The door opened, and Elise walked in with Xander trailing behind her. Elise’s eyes immediately landed on the jewelry I was still wearing.

“Take it off,” she said, her voice icy.

I frowned. “What?”

“The necklace,” Elise repeated, pointing at it. “And the rest of the jewelry. You’re a thief, Blair. You don’t deserve to wear them.”

I clenched my jaw. “This is mine.”

Elise let out a laugh. “Yours? Don’t make me laugh. I’ll keep them until the real Lady Gallo appears. Let’s see how long you can keep up this ridiculous charade.”

“Elise,” Xander said hesitantly, but she silenced him with a glare.

She turned back to me. “Just because your last name is Gallo doesn’t mean you’re related to the family. I’ve known you since college, Blair. The Gallo family doesn’t even have a child. Stop pretending.”

I stayed silent, biting back the urge to respond. Of course, they weren't aware of my identity because my parents had never talked about me. I wanted it that way, to also protect myself, but seeing this is happening now, it seems like I really need to let the world who really am I.

Elise turned to Xander. “We need to get the jewelry and you can return it to Lady Gallo. Maybe she would reconsider the partnership.”

“That’s a great idea,” Xander replied.

I scoffed. “Your father is dead and all you can think about is money?” I shook my head. “It makes me think you actually wanted him dead.”

“Shut up, Blair,” Elise replied. Now I’m really seeing her true colors and that makes me despise her, especially Xander. He should have been the one who died!

Elise stepped closer to me, her eyes narrowing. “Take it off,” she demanded, pointing at the necklace around my neck. “You have no right to wear that.”

I raised an eyebrow, meeting her glare. “I’m not giving you anything. It’s mine.”

“Yours?” Elise let out a mocking laugh. “Stop lying. You stole it. Hand it over now, or I’ll take it off you myself.”

She grabbed at the necklace, her fingers brushing the gold chain. I stepped back, swatting her hand away.

“Don’t touch me,” I snapped.

“You don’t deserve it!” Elise hissed, lunging again.

We struggled, her nails clawing at my neck as I tried to push her away. The commotion grew louder, drawing the attention of the police and Xander.

“Enough!” a commanding voice rang out, silencing the room.

Everyone turned toward the door, where a tall, elegant woman stood. My mother.