Chapter 10 You Lied to Me, You Don't Have a Lover!
"Ms. Sorelli? Does she deserve that much respect from you?" Amelia freaked out. "What kind of joke is this!"
General Manager James was an old family member. He was an accountant who happened to be out of town auditing a rose garden when the family was destroyed, which was how he escaped disaster.
But his wife and children died in that bloodbath. His hatred for the Gambino family was no less than mine and my brothers'.
James warned Amelia coldly, "Who would joke about something like this? Please don't make a scene and disturb the other guests."
Amelia looked as if she'd been slapped across the face. She quickly regained her elegant composure, but her expression was very unnatural.
I walked toward the stage on Marcus's arm. Behind me, I heard Amelia asking Lucas, "Do you know what's going on?"
Lucas said he didn't know. Arthur comforted Lucas, "Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough!"
The overhead lights gradually dimmed. A spotlight shone on the podium where Gale stood in a well-fitted, luxurious black suit, his posture straight as he calmly gripped the microphone.
I heard many young women excitedly discussing how handsome Gale was.
Gale cleared his throat and began his speech. "Good evening, everyone. I'm Gale. I'm so glad you could all come to my sister Isabella's birthday party. Let's give a round of applause for our guest of honor!"
Marcus led the applause. Ashley and Arthur clapped hard, constantly turning their heads to look at me and Lucas.
I walked to Gale's side amid the wave of thunderous applause and Lucas's shocked gaze.
Standing on stage, I could see everyone's expressions more clearly.
Lucas's eyes churned with complicated emotions I couldn't understand. Many people were watching his reaction. He stared at me in a daze. Arthur boldly raised his phone to film him, and he didn't even stop it. After a while, he seemed to remember something and started clapping with broken rhythm. The applause, which had almost died down, rose again because of him.
Amelia looked confused at first, her mouth opening and closing as she unconsciously muttered "Sorelli." Finally remembering, her expression changed instantly, and she clutched her phone nervously.
"Today, I'm here to announce two decisions," Gale said. "First: with the unanimous approval of the board of directors, Isabella is appointed as Vice Chairman."
"Second, I own thirty percent of the hotel's shares. Half of that will be given to Isabella. My two brothers, Brian and Marcus, each own ten percent of the shares, which will also be given to our precious Isabella."
The share transfer was something my brothers had decided on long ago. With thirty-five percent, I would have more say in the hotel.
The lawyers and notary were already in place. My brothers signed the gift agreements quickly and decisively, so fast that many guests didn't even have time to react.
"I'm Isabella. Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday. I hope you all have a wonderful evening." I thanked them gracefully and calmly, then walked off stage with my three brothers.
We returned to the lounge, but we could see everyone's reactions in the hall.
Some people gossiped.
"Oh my God, she's actually the sister of Platinum Haven Hotel's chairman. She's been so low-key before!"
"She probably had to keep a low profile. Don't overlook their last name—Sorelli!"
"That sounds familiar. I remember now! The Sorelli family used to be very prominent in Dawnharbor!"
"Five years ago, hundreds of people in the entire family died overnight. They say it was revenge from enemies. I can't believe several direct family members escaped."
"No wonder Gale keeps a low profile even as hotel chairman. Most affairs are handled by James. There were even rumors before that Gale was a sickly old man!"
"Worthy of a great family—they've made a comeback in just a few years. They're really something!"
Many people were discussing Lucas and me.
"Did Mr. Valeri team up with the Sorelli family before?"
"Doesn't seem like it. Feels like Mr. Valeri only found out about Isabella's identity today."
"They can be considered ex-spouses now."
"Why did they suddenly divorce? Who's the woman with Lucas?"
"She's the daughter of the Gambino family. She has some money, but can't compare to Isabella. Thirty-five percent of the shares—worth at least hundreds of billions of dollars!"
Lucas coldly sent away everyone who came to fish for information, then hid in a private lounge with Amelia, Ashley, and Arthur.
Brian was especially concerned about Lucas's movements. He said with some worry, "What if Lucas is so shocked that he doesn't want to divorce?"
"If he dares go back on his word, I'll kill him. Therefore, Isabella can end this toxic relationship!" Marcus looked at Brian with disdain. "Brian, you've really become more and more sentimental and indecisive these past few years."
Brian rolled his eyes and kicked him.
I looked at Gale. "The Gambino family should receive the news very soon."
"Assassination attempts might become very frequent from now on." Gale patted the back of my hand with concern. "You need to be careful."
I shook my head, signaling Gale not to worry. "We've already set up multiple traps. As long as the Gambino family dares to send people, we'll make sure none of them return!"
We stayed in the lounge for fifteen minutes. The guests had pretty much digested the big news and chatted with me naturally, saying all kinds of nice compliments.
Gale and Brian took Marcus and me around to build connections. After making a full round, my legs were sore and I was thirsty. I told my brothers and returned to my private lounge.
As soon as I entered, I sensed something was wrong.
There was a faint smell of men's cologne in the air.
I quickly lifted my dress to pull out the gun strapped to my calf, but Lucas, hiding in the shadows, moved faster. He chopped my wrist, knocked the gun away, and kicked it aside. His arms grabbed my hands and circled my waist, pulling me into his embrace and pressing me against the wall.
"Lucas!" I scolded him angrily in a low voice.
How could I not recognize the cologne I'd chosen for Lucas?
Lucas chuckled softly in my ear, his warm breath falling on my neck, making that patch of skin tingle.
"Ms. Sorelli?" The bodyguards Adrian and Cole outside the door heard the commotion and called out to me questioningly.
The doorknob turned. They said, "Ms. Sorelli, we're using the key to come in?"
Lucas tightened his arms, hinting that I should send them away.
"I'm fine." My voice was tense. "Wait outside."
Adrian and Cole: "Yes."
The noise outside stopped. I lifted my foot to kick backward. "Let go of me!"
My high heel kicked Lucas's leg. He groaned in pain but didn't let go.
He held both my wrists firmly with his right hand while his left hand caressed my shoulders, neck, and back.
"Bella, who gave you permission to expose your back? I told you, only I can see this!"
"What's wrong with you?" I used a clever move to break free from Lucas's grip, turned around, and slapped him hard!
The crisp sound was especially clear in the quiet room.
Lucas licked the corner of his mouth, tasting a bit of blood.
I glanced at the door, then used my peripheral vision to locate the gun on the floor. But Lucas used the same trick again, pressing me against the wall once more.
His lips fell on the back of my neck. As if the necklace was in his way, he clicked his tongue, and his burning kisses moved down along my spine.
He seemed to have some special obsession with kissing me from behind. Suddenly, he bit down hard on my left shoulder.
I was completely unprepared. My eyes blinked, and tears rolled down my cheeks.
Lucas kissed my face, sucking away the warm tears. With strange excitement, he said, "You lied to me! They're your brothers. You don't have a lover at all!"