☆Chapter 30: Unseen Strings☆

A Sudden Shift

The Romano family had been unusually…

Quiet.

Too quiet.

Lorenzo noticed it first.

No more underhanded requests.

No more shady favors.

And most importantly…

No more attempts to manipulate Lucian.

It was as if they had suddenly realized they were playing with fire.

But Lorenzo wasn't fooled.

"This doesn't make sense."

Lorenzo's voice was cold as he leaned back in his leather chair, fingers steepled under his chin.

Matteo stood beside him. Silent. Observant.

Lucian, however…

Fidgeted.

"I don't like it either, sir." Lucian's tone was uneasy.

"My father hasn't called me in weeks. Not even to ask about Seraphina."

Lorenzo's jaw tightened.

"They don't just give up that easily."

Something happened.

And Lorenzo intended to find out what.

☆☆☆

"Nonno."

Lorenzo's tone was sharp as he entered Don De Luca's study.

The old man was seated comfortably in his favorite armchair, swirling a glass of whiskey.

"Ah, ragazzo. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"The Romano family."

Nonno's brow lifted, a knowing glint in his eye.

"What about them?"

"They've backed off. Completely."

Lorenzo's voice was calm, but a storm brewed beneath.

"And I know damn well that didn't happen without a push."

Nonno's smirk was barely concealed.

"Interesting."

"What did you do?"

"Me?" Nonno grinned, sipping his whiskey.

"I didn't do anything, ragazzo."

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"Nonno."

"I swear." Nonno's grin widened.

"I didn't lift a finger."

"Then who did?"

Nonno's only response…

A knowing smile.

☆☆☆

"He's hiding something."

Lucian's voice was soft but filled with conviction as he stood beside Lorenzo in the office.

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"I know."

They had just returned from their "talk" with Nonno.

And they both knew…

Nonno was lying.

Or rather…

He was withholding the truth.

"Do you think he made a deal?" Lucian asked, his tone cautious.

"No."

Lorenzo's voice was firm.

"Nonno wouldn't make a deal to a thing that doesn't interest him."

"Then what?"

Silence.

Lorenzo's mind raced.

Who could have possibly…

And then it hit him.

"Seraphina."

Lucian froze.

"What?"

"It has to be her."

Lorenzo's eyes darkened.

"The Romano family wouldn't back off unless someone forced their hand. Someone who knows how they operate."

"But… she's fifteen." Lucian's voice was disbelieving.

Lorenzo's expression hardened.

"We both know she's not just any fifteen-year-old."

"But how?"

"That's what I intend to find out."

☆☆☆

Lorenzo's mind went into overdrive.

Seraphina had been acting normal.

Too normal.

But he remembered…

The subtle changes.

Her quiet smiles.

The small satisfied smirk when she thought no one was looking.

And Nonno's behavior…

Way too amused for someone who claimed innocence.

☆☆☆

"Nonno."

Lorenzo's tone was deadly calm when he walked into the study again.

Nonno didn't even look up.

"Back so soon, ragazzo?"

"Don't play games with me."

Lorenzo's eyes were cold.

"Did Seraphina do this?"

Nonno's smile…

Widened.

But he said nothing.

Just sipped his whiskey.

"Nonno." Lorenzo's voice dropped lower.

"I'm not leaving until I get answers."

Nonno finally set down his glass.

And then…

Grinned.

"What makes you think Seraphina had anything to do with this?"

"Nonno." Lorenzo's patience wore thin.

Nonno leaned back, arms crossed, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"I didn't say anything, Lorenzo."

Silence.

"You didn't deny it either."

"Hmm…" Nonno's smile was maddening.

"Maybe I'm just enjoying the show."

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"So it was her."

Nonno's only response…

Another sip of whiskey.

☆☆☆

"What do we do?"

Lucian's voices was barely above a whisper as he stood beside Lorenzo.

Lorenzo's expression was unreadable.

"We don't confront her. Not yet."

"But—"

"If she wanted us to know… she would've told us."

Silence.

"And until I figure out why she didn't…"

Lorenzo's gaze darkened.

"We let her play her game."

☆☆☆

Meanwhile…

Seraphina sat in her room, flipping through a book as if nothing had happened.

Her expression calm.

But if anyone had been paying attention…

They would have seen the satisfied smirk that tugged at her lips.

"Idiots." She muttered under her breath, grinning.

"I learned from the best."

And now…

The Romanos were right where they belonged.

Beneath her feet.