Chapter 173 The Mystery of One’s Origins
Felix frowned, "That's not appropriate, is it?"
Stephen raised his hand, "I'm in favor."
Grant and the Woods family members also voiced their positions, "Agreed."
Felix's frown deepened—the other three major families had actually joined forces!
Stephen directly asked Lucas, "Do you think we should agree to Michelle's request for help?"
Lucas didn't answer immediately. He tilted his head slightly to look at me, Gale, and Marcus.
Felix slammed the table hard, "Lucas! We're asking you, not the Sorelli family!"
Lucas calmly countered, "What's the difference?"
I leaned in slightly and whispered two sentences in Lucas's ear, so quietly that only we could hear.
Lucas nodded, then looked at Michelle, "I have a question. You want to join a new family—are you set on the four major families, or are other families also within your consideration?"
When the three major families dragged Lucas into this, the certainty in Michelle's eyes had already weakened somewhat.
Hearing Lucas's question, she hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering as she answered, "My choice isn't limited to the four major families. Of course, if the four major families are willing to accept me, I'd be extremely grateful!"
But in reality, the four major families held such high status and were so proud that even if they coveted that huge fortune, they maintained an air of indifference on the surface.
"I understand." Lucas looked toward the center seats, "On my own behalf, I vote in favor."
Three to two—this temporarily added meeting topic was established.
The new procedure was set on the spot: first publicly count all assets under Michelle's name, then help her join the new family of her choice.
Michelle breathed a sigh of relief, her face showing a hint of relief, while the other Gambino family members beside her looked ashen, forming a stark contrast with her.
A few minutes later, a commotion came from the meeting hall entrance.
Box after box of tightly sealed valuables, documents, and asset certificates were carried in.
Michelle had prepared everything long ago.
To win over a family powerful enough to protect her, she boldly brought out many treasures she had hidden away. The Gambino family members beside her all stared at these things with red eyes.
Gold, jewelry, property deeds, stock certificates, cash—gradually piling up into a dazzling small mountain in the center of the hall.
People looked at that pile of things. Some were envious, some quietly observed the three of us siblings, and looks of sympathy, regret, spectating, and schadenfreude fell densely on me, Gale, and Marcus.
Marcus took out his phone and video-called Brian, briefly explaining the situation, then propped the phone on the table, "A family should be together!"
Michelle stood not far away, chin slightly raised, her eyes hiding provocation.
Money talks.
She believed that such a huge fortune would definitely move the four major families!
Today, she wanted to openly and brazenly take over everything from our family in front of everyone! She wanted to see us angry yet completely helpless against her!
Facing her provocation, I wasn't flustered at all, and Gale chatted with us casually.
Michelle thought we were pretending to be calm and smiled knowingly.
It took the entire morning to finish counting all the assets Michelle had brought.
Felix spoke first, asking the entire hall, "Which families are willing to accept Michelle and Amelia?"
Most people were eager to try, but they were concerned about the four major families. If the four major families made a move, other families wouldn't stand a chance.
Felix waited for a minute, then nodded, his face showing some joy, "In that case, we the Marr family will—"
"Wait a moment." Gale and I exchanged glances, and I slowly stood up.
Everyone's eyes focused on me. I smiled and said, "I sincerely invite Michelle and Amelia to join my family."
Michelle looked at me in disbelief, then came to her senses. Amelia stared at me blankly, "Are you crazy?"
I curved my lips and said bluntly, "I want these assets! Having you join is the best way, isn't it?"
A wave of low laughter erupted in the hall.
Someone tried to stir things up, "Isabella just wants back what belongs to them, that's totally normal!"
Michelle sneered, her posture haughty as she said, "I refuse."
I had expected this and continued unhurriedly, "That's fine. While I can't say what benefits you'd get from joining our family—actually there are almost no benefits—I can clearly tell everyone the downsides of accepting Michelle."
A flash of strong unease crossed Michelle's eyes, and she quickly countered, "Are you trying to force me?"
"No, forcing you to die would be too easy on you." Thinking about what I was about to say, my emotions couldn't help but surge, "Everyone, you should all have heard about Byron's identity."
Felix coughed forcefully twice, his tone unfriendly as he interrupted me, "Isabella, don't talk about things unrelated to the topic!"
Lucas clicked his tongue impatiently, "What are you coughing for? If you're sick, go see a doctor and take medicine. We don't need you here."
Felix stood up angrily but was persuaded by others to sit down reluctantly.
Wendy and Colin both looked grim, while other Gambino family members quietly sat farther away from them, as if that would keep them from being embarrassed together.
"The Gambino family originally had two heirs, Byron and Thomas. Before Byron's background was exposed, he was supposedly Kirk's son and had the support of the wealthy Michelle, so his chances of inheriting the family were quite good."
I walked with my hands behind my back, pacing as I spoke, "But everyone has heard about Byron's character—he's an arrogant, ignorant waste. Many people thought Michelle spoiled Byron too much, but after learning Byron wasn't her son, the reason Byron turned out this way became obvious—Michelle had been deliberately indulging Byron all along."
As soon as I finished speaking, an angry roar erupted from a corner.
"I knew you did it on purpose!" Byron's face flushed red as he hysterically cursed at Michelle, "Bitch! I actually treated a woman like you as my mother, you vicious evil woman!"
Stephen disliked people making a scene and ordered a Soldato to knock Byron out, then reminded me, "Isabella, what you're saying seems unrelated to the topic."
"Stephen, please listen patiently. Although Byron isn't Michelle's son, how did she conjure up a child out of thin air back then? What I mean is, Michelle must have at least originally had a son."
Stephen's interest was piqued, "You're right, where is that child? Continue."
"Michelle's biological son died shortly after birth, so Colin gave her his mistress's child, and she didn't refuse. But don't you all find it strange? Why did Michelle agree to help Colin raise the child?"
I spoke smoothly, "Also, even though Byron wasn't her biological son, he was nominally her son. As long as she raised Byron well, she would be the ultimate beneficiary. But now, the Gambino family's only heir is Thomas."
Michelle sharply interrupted me, "Isabella! What exactly are you trying to say!"
I looked at her leisurely, "What I'm trying to say is, Thomas is your son—your son with Colin."