Page 1 of The Godfather's Black Rose

"Lucia, are you really going to Chicago to handle the family business? The situation there is complicated. If you leave, what

about Vincent's arrangements?"

At the mention of Vincent's name, Lucia Moretti's movements paused for a moment.

Countless intimate memories flashed through her mind, like invisible hands gripping her heart tightly, bringing waves of sharp

pain.

After a moment of silence, she took a sip of bourbon from her glass and reaffirmed her earlier decision.

"My people are watching him. Don't ask too many questions, just go prepare. The private jet will be waiting at the usual place in

two weeks."

"...Yes, Lucia. I'll arrange it immediately."

After hanging up, Lucia leaned back into the leather sofa, her gaze falling on the entertainment news headline.

"Gallo Group Spends Big on Hollywood Investment, Veteran Actors Support Newcomer Scarlett. With Such Massive Backing, What's This

Newcomer's Real Background?"

Online discussions about Gallo Group's crossover move were heated, with many speculating about Scarlett's relationship with the

conglomerate.

"Is this woman an illegitimate daughter of the Gallo family? Otherwise, why would Gallo, a financial empire that never touches

entertainment, personally pave the way for an unknown newcomer?"

"Not necessarily an illegitimate daughter, but possibly a kept mistress. A beauty like Scarlett fits perfectly with what those

family bosses and rich heirs prefer."

This comment quickly received numerous likes. Lucia also gave it a thumbs up with her anonymous account.

Because she knew better than anyone that this comment was completely accurate.

Scarlett was indeed popular with wealthy young men, and Gallo Group's big move was orchestrated by Vincent, the man she'd been

with for seven years.

To make Scarlett a star, Vincent—who was always ruthlessly cold in business—was investing so recklessly. This realization plunged

Lucia into silence once again.

She wearily turned off the screen and closed her eyes with a frown.

Before she knew it, the bourbon in her glass had reached the bottom. After finishing the last sip, Lucia slowly opened her eyes

and casually placed the glass on the table.

She thought their relationship had probably reached its end.

Or rather, their meeting had been a mistake from the very beginning.

...

Lucia had met Vincent seven years ago.

At that time, as a top enforcer for the Moretti family, she was waiting in a Colombian bar for a traitor to appear. There, she saw

Vincent, like a lost little beast.

The young, handsome boy stared with clear eyes, curiously yet fearfully taking in the bar's mixed crowd. So surprised was he that

his mouth hung slightly open, as if he'd forgotten how to breathe.

It was in that instant that Lucia became interested in him.

Their eyes met in the dim lighting. When their gazes locked, Vincent's eyes trembled slightly, and he unconsciously took a few

steps toward Lucia.

Only when he was about to bump into the table in front of her did he suddenly snap back to reality.

He hurriedly looked away, not daring to meet her eyes again.

Lucia found it somewhat amusing. A naive kid who looked like a clueless college student actually dared to come to such a place to

broaden his horizons—wasn't he afraid of getting torn apart?

She was about to approach him with a warning when her long-awaited target appeared. Lucia had to refocus on her work.

When she returned to the bar after efficiently handling her task, Vincent was nowhere to be seen.

A pang of regret crossed her heart, immediately replaced by self-mocking acceptance.

Lucia thought she must have been crazy to think that boy would wait for her in the same spot.

She shook her head and prepared to leave, but someone gently tapped her shoulder from behind.

In a split second, Lucia spun around sharply, and the boy's handsome face came into view.

He lowered his head somewhat shyly, his voice trembling with nervousness.

"You... hello, I... may I get to know you?"

A pure-hearted kid who probably hadn't even held a woman's hand dared to approach her, this thorny black rose. Lucia sneered

inwardly.

But he had actually waited in that spot, willing to gamble on whether she would return.

In that moment, Lucia's heart, silent for so many years, trembled gently.

Less than half an hour after news of Scarlett being promoted by Gallo Group spread online, Vincent's call came through.

His voice was as clear and pleasant as always, carrying that gentle tone that seemed almost pleading—one reserved just for her.

"Lucia, don't believe any of that nonsense online. The company's backing that newcomer is just a business strategy, nothing more."

"Today marks our seven-year anniversary. I'll wrap up company matters as quickly as possible, then we'll go out for lunch and

catch a movie this afternoon, okay? We haven't had a proper date in ages!"

Without waiting for Lucia's response, Vincent had already begun planning with anticipation.

"There's a remastered version of an old film playing recently. I've been wanting to watch it with you for a while, but I've been

swamped. Since today's our anniversary, let's go see it together, Lucia?"

"And... Valenti's has a new head chef who's supposed to be amazing. I had my assistant reserve a private dining room."

"After dinner and the movie, we could..."

Vincent rambled on, and Lucia listened patiently throughout.

Until she heard knocking from his end, followed by a sweet, coquettish female voice interrupting: "Mr. Gallo, I was hoping to

invite you to lunch..."

The rest was muffled—Vincent must have covered the phone.

A few seconds later, his somewhat nervous voice returned: "Lucia, that was just... my assistant reporting on work. Let's not talk

now. Just head straight to Valenti's at noon and wait for me. I'll see you there."

With that, he hastily hung up, leaving only the cold dial tone.

In that moment, Lucia realized with crystal clarity that the little beast she'd kept by her side and nurtured for seven years had

truly grown up. He'd matured enough to lie to her face without batting an eye.

She walked into her study and retrieved the seven-year anniversary gift she'd prepared long ago.

It was a photo album she'd made by hand, documenting every moment she and Vincent had shared over these seven years.

In the past, Vincent always liked holding her in his arms, stroking her long hair while complaining: "Lucia, why is it always me

talking and you listening? You speak so little that sometimes I wonder if you even care about me."

As he spoke, he would reach out with both hands and gently pinch her cheeks.

"Lucia, smile. You're so beautiful—why don't you smile more often?"

Having grown up in a mafia family, Lucia had long been accustomed to hiding her emotions and rarely expressed her feelings

directly.

But since being with Vincent, she'd changed in many ways—half willingly, half reluctantly—gradually becoming more like what he

wanted her to be.

She opened the album and saw herself beaming in the photos. In one candid shot, her lips were caught mid-motion, saying "I love

you" to Vincent.

Without realizing it, Lucia was no longer the cold, ruthless enforcer of the Moretti family she once was.

The thought made her heart ache.

Seven years ago, Vincent had been drawn to her like a moth to flame, chasing her across the globe.

He'd accompanied her through gunfire, walked with her through the mud of slums, witnessed humanity's darkest moments alongside

her, and weathered countless storms together.

Eventually, Lucia couldn't bear to let this young master, who should have been living comfortably in New York, continue risking

his life following her around.

She withdrew from the family's core operations team and returned to New York with him, settling into a life under the sun.

Lucia gave Vincent everything. When his father suddenly died and the family business was threatened, she stepped forward, using

the Moretti family's resources and her own savings to help Vincent stabilize the situation and establish Gallo Group as the

perfect front.

Every time Vincent was on the verge of breaking down, Lucia was there beside him, shielding him from storms and giving him space

to breathe and recover.

Vincent was like a sapling Lucia had planted with her own hands, growing from tender youth to maturity, eventually becoming a

towering tree.

But no matter how decisive and commanding Vincent was as president of Gallo Group in public, at home he still clung to Lucia just

like before, depending on her.

Seven years, day after day.

Just this year, Lucia had even prepared to marry him, notifying all her overseas friends and planning a grand wedding.

Then she discovered Vincent's affair.

He'd forgotten to log out of his tablet, leaving his chat history with Scarlett on the screen.

Scarlett: Vincent, thank you for everything you've done for me. My agent treats me with such respect now.

Vincent: Good girl. If you run into any trouble, just tell me and I'll handle it.

Scarlett: Thank you, Vincent. Tonight I'll wear that little bunny outfit you like and wait for you!

Vincent: Make sure my little bunny is all clean and ready to be devoured.

...

Those few short lines pierced Lucia's heart.

Just then, Vincent sent her a message: "Lucia, are you at the restaurant yet? Go ahead and order—I'll be right there!"

The contrast was absurd.

The pure, innocent young man who'd been so clean and devoted in front of her had become someone else's reliable "big shot" behind

her back. How ironic, how laughable.

Since he enjoyed being pursued by female celebrities, she'd let him enjoy it forever.

As for her—she would turn and walk away.