9 Chapter 9
To make matters worse, signed contracts couldn’t be fulfilled, and the other parties were demanding exorbitant breach-of-contract fees.
It wasn’t until Alessandro and I returned to Chicago, inseparable as ever, that I learned Vincent had become the laughingstock of the entire city over the past month.
Meanwhile, regarding the money for the necklace and brooch, which I had my lawyer pursue, a lawsuit had been filed, and the court summons had already been delivered to the Kane Group’s building. We were just waiting for the court date.
“Isabella, you’re finally back. I’ve missed you so much.” His eyes reddened as he spoke.
Vincent steadied himself, wringing his hands as he looked at me, his expression
thoroughly pathetic.
Vincent’s expression turned sour, and he stammered,
“Mr. Kane, please have some self-respect. Isabella is my wife now.”
I said formally, “Vincent Kane, from the moment you decided to humiliate me and my family, I, Isabella Romano, have wanted nothing to do with you. And I certainly won’t be ‘kind and benevolent’ like you. So, please return the money you owe me as soon as possible, or we’ll see each other in court.”
I scoffed. I couldn’t believe he had the nerve to ask for fifty million. Did he think money grew on trees, that it could just be plucked to clean up his mess?
The Kane Group was instantly thrown into a state of semi-paralysis.
Then I added,
I replied coldly, “Vincent Kane, get to the point. If you continue with this nonsense, please leave. I don’t want my husband to get the wrong idea.”
Apparently, once his scandal broke, the debts that had been deferred out of respect for the Romano family were all being called in at once.
“Oh, aren’t you so good at sympathizing with and helping others? There must be plenty of
women who have received your favors. You can go ask them for help.”
The moment he saw me, he lunged for me, his movements jerky and desperate, but Alessandro shoved him back with one hand, sending him staggering fifteen feet away.
I couldn’t help but let out a bark of scornful laughter.
“Vincent Kane, so you’re not some benevolent saint after all. You’re just using the guise of ‘helping’ to openly keep a mistress.”
Having not seen him for a month, I barely recognized him. He was scruffy and unshaven, dark and gaunt, a far cry from the dapper, pampered gentleman he used to be.
“Isabella, can you please help me? The company really can’t hold on any longer. Could you
go and beg Don Romano to lend me fifty million dollars, please?”
“Get out! You make me sick!”
Some suppliers had been reluctantly continuing their deliveries, but when they saw
numerous Capos blocking the company entrance every day to demand payment, they
immediately halted all shipments.
“Isabella, you know, I was just… helping Sophia…”
Alessandro immediately beckoned with his hand. Two of his men closed in, grabbed
Vincent, and dragged him outside, tossing him onto the road.
He scrambled to his feet and tried to approach again, but one of the bodyguards sent him
flying fifteen feet with a single kick. He collapsed on the ground, groaning in pain.
Alessandro and I had just returned to the estate when Vincent came chasing after us, like
a dog that had caught a scent.
Ultimately, Vincent stared awkwardly at the tips of his shoes, only speaking after a long
while:
