Chapter 47: Izzy Declared Heiress

IZZY'S POV

The council chamber was already full when I walked in. Twelve men, two women, all sitting in their seats like judges. Marco was the first one I noticed. He leaned back with his arms crossed and a smug grin on his face, like he had already won.

Janet came in behind me but stopped near the wall. She wasn’t allowed to sit at the table.

Councilman Vance raised his head. “Isabella, take your seat.”

I sat down in the empty chair across from him. The air was heavy, like the whole room was waiting for me to make a mistake.

Marco gave a fake yawn. “Finally. The little princess has arrived. Did you come to cry about how unfair life is, or are you here to waste our time?”

I stared at him. “If you’re that eager to hear me talk, Marco, maybe you should be honest and admit you’re scared.”

That got a few laughs from the other council members. Marco’s smirk faded for a second before he leaned forward.

“You think you’re clever. One deal doesn’t make you a leader,” he said.

“Funny,” I shot back. “Because you couldn’t even manage one deal.”

He banged the table. “Watch your mouth..”

“Enough,” Vance said sharply. “We are not here for childish insults. We are here to decide the matter of succession. Vincenzo can no longer serve, and the family cannot stay without leadership.”

The room went quiet. Everyone’s eyes turned toward him.

Vance picked up a folder and he'll be up a paper. “The test was simple. Leone’s debt had been hanging for years. No one had been able to collect. Isabella was given the task. The result: half has already been paid. The rest is due in thirty days. Signed, sealed, and confirmed.”

He laid the paper on the table. “That is more than anyone else here managed.”

A low murmur went around the table.

Councilman Russo leaned forward. “Fine, she got Leone to pay. But one success doesn’t prove she’s ready to carry the whole empire.”

Marco jumped at the chance. “Exactly! She’s young, emotional, and soft. Put her in charge, and she’ll burn everything down. You think clients will take her seriously? You think men will follow her orders?”

I didn’t wait. “They’ll follow because I’ll make sure they don’t have a choice. That’s what my father did. That’s what I’ll do and don’t talk to me about being young. If I can do what you can't, maybe the problem isn’t my age. Maybe it’s your incompetence.”

That stung. A few council members covered their mouths to hide smiles. Marco’s face went red.

“You arrogant brat,” he hissed. “You think because you carry Vincenzo’s blood, you can talk to me that way?”

“I don’t think so,” I said calmly. “I know it and so do you.”

Vance lifted his hand. “Enough, both of you. Marco, you will not disrupt this session again.”

Marco muttered under his breath but leaned back, still glaring at me.

Vance looked straight at me. “Isabella. Do you understand what you’re asking for? To be declared heiress means every mistake falls on you. Every loss. If you fail, the family fails.”

I nodded. “I understand.”

“Do you?” Vance pressed. “This is not a title for pride. This is blood, work, and risk. Your father’s enemies will become your enemies. You won’t be able to run. You won’t be able to hide.”

“I’m not running,” I said. My voice shook a little, but I forced it steady. “I already proved I won’t. You gave me a test. I passed it. Now stop moving the goalpost.”

That got more murmurs. A couple of the members even nodded.

Russo frowned. “Your mouth is sharp, but words won’t save you. Leadership isn’t just one victory.”

“Then let me prove myself with more,” I said. “But you can’t hold me back forever because you’re afraid. You set a test. I passed. Honor your own rules.”

Vance tapped the table. “We will vote. The council will decide.”

Marco slammed his fist. “This is insane! You’re going to put everything we built into the hands of a child!”

“Better a child than a coward,” Janet said suddenly from the wall. Her voice cut through the room like glass.

Everyone turned to stare at her. She wasn’t supposed to speak, but she didn’t care.

Marco glared. “Get her out of here.”

“No,” Vance said. “She spoke the truth and we don’t silence the truth here.”

Janet folded her arms and gave Marco a look that made him grit his teeth.

Vance stood. “The vote is simple. All in favor of declaring Isabella De Luca as heiress, raise your hand.”

For a moment, no one moved. Then one hand went up. Then another, then three more. By the time I counted, more than half were in the air.

Marco slammed the table again. “This is madness!”

“All against?” Vance asked.

A few hands lifted, Marco’s, Russo’s, and two others. Barely enough.

Vance struck the table with his palm. “By majority decision, it is settled. Isabella De Luca is the official heiress of this family.”

The words echoed in my head.

Marco shot to his feet, his chair screeching. “You will regret this. Mark my words. She’ll drag us all down.”

I stood too. My legs were shaking, but I kept my chin high. “No, Marco. The only thing this family will regret is trusting you for as long as it did.”

The council members rose one by one. Some came to shake my hand. Others just nodded. A few walked out without looking at me. But it didn’t matter. The vote was done.

Janet came to my side and whispered, “You did it.”

I nodded, though my chest was tight. “Yeah. I did.”

Marco stormed out, muttering curses under his breath. Russo followed him, his face like stone.

Vance lingered. He came closer, looking me in the eye. “You have the title now. But titles mean nothing without strength. Prove to us this was the right choice.”

“I will,” I said quietly.

He studied me for another moment, then nodded and walked away.

When the room was almost empty, Janet grabbed my arm

. “How do you feel?”

“Like I just picked up a mountain,” I said. “But it’s mine now and I’m not dropping it.”