Chapter 2

"Of course, Father. I actually quite like Alessandro," I smiled gracefully, walking over to sit beside Alessandro.

I had to admit, the man's aura was terrifying. Just sitting next to him, I could feel the suffocating pressure radiating from him.

I tried to read his mind, but I got nothing.

Complete silence.

This was different from my past life—back then, I could at least hear brief, fragmented thoughts from him.

But when Carlo smiled at Victoria, I caught his inner voice.

[Another plaything.]

The voice was warm and gentle, exactly like it had been at the start of my previous life.

But I knew it was all an act. Right now, he was calculating Victoria's worth, planning how to exploit her.

I knew his mask too well.

Instinctively, I reached out and took Alessandro's hand.

Though his exterior was freezing, his hand was surprisingly warm.

Startled by my sudden touch, he glanced down at me.

I quickly let go, and he remained silent, offering no objection.

Even though he seemed difficult and completely unreadable, I knew one thing:

Carlo didn't deserve that throne. It belonged to Alessandro, and I was the one who had built Carlo's path.

In this life, I would use my power to put the right man on the throne.

Victoria and I had a double wedding.

Just like in our past life.

Back then, Alessandro hadn't bothered to show up for the morning ceremony, whereas Carlo had arrived early, looking like a prince.

Everyone praised Carlo for being a doting husband.

As expected, this life played out the exact same way.

Carlo, dressed in a sharp white tuxedo, eagerly walked up and took Victoria's hand.

As they passed me, Victoria gave me a triumphant look. "Sera, why hasn't Alessandro come to pick you up yet?"

I simply smiled. "Don't worry about me. You should focus on yourself."

My words choked her, and her face fell.

[Keep laughing. Let's see if you can still smile when you're being discarded later.]

She sneered in her mind before walking toward the priest with Carlo.

But it was too early to celebrate. Who would have the last laugh was still undecided.

Alessandro's absence, just like in our past life, sparked whispers and pitying glances from the crowd.

Victoria's smile grew wider. She couldn't wait to whisper to Carlo, "I love you, darling."

Then, she pressed her lips to his, looking at me with absolute smugness.

I knew she wanted to see me humiliated.

But I wasn't stupid. I wasn't going to storm off in a rage like Victoria did in our past life.

Doing that would only embarrass the family and make me look weak.

I remembered how the elders had whispered back then that Victoria was too unstable to be the wife of the Rossi family's eldest heir.