Daisy's POV 

I sank into the plush armchair in my father's living room, the fabric still carried a faint scent of expensive cigars. I let out a sob as fragments of the party replayed in my mind, the shocked gasps, the pointing fingers, Sofia's triumphant smirk. My mascara streaked down my cheeks as I cried. Through my blurred vision, I caught my reflection in the antique mirror across the room. I hardly recognized the broken girl staring back at me.

"I can't believe Antonio threw everything away," I whispered, my voice cracking. "All because of her lies. What does it matter if I'm a Fontana or not?" I tried to stop the tears from flowing but I couldn't. "I've been such a fool. I thought he loved me. I thought I could finally escape this nightmare. What am I going to do now?"

I reached for my phone, ready to call my brother, Dante, but the familiar sound of my father's voice reached my ears. They were home. Panic set in as I scrambled to my feet, desperate to get to my room before they saw me. 

"Stop right there, young lady!" My stepmother's annoying voice cut through the air, freezing me in place. 

I ignored her, attempting to retreat upstairs, but my father's iron grip on my arm stopped me. 

"Didn't you hear her?" His voice was low. "What the hell was that stunt you pulled at the party?"

I winced as his fingers dug into my arm. "Ouch, dad please! You're hurting me!"

His face twisted into a frown, and with a sudden shove, I stumbled to the ground. 

"How dare you call me that?" He spat, crouching down to grab my chin roughly. He stared coldly at me. "Haven't I told you not to call me that in this house? You're lucky I'm in a good mood tonight, but that doesn't mean you won't be punished for humiliating me today."

My throat tightened, fear rising in my chest. "I'm sorry... I..."

"Enough!" His voice boomed. "You're just like your mother, useless and pathetic. But don't worry, I'll find a use for you soon."

He released me with a force that made my head snap back, and I bit my lip to stop myself from crying out. He straightened and strode up the stairs without another word, leaving me trembling on the floor. 

As I gathered myself, I  noticed Sofia didn't return with them. My stepmother's smug laughter rang out behind me. 

"Oh, poor thing. You're probably wondering why Sofia isn't home," she said, her tone icy. "She's with her fiancé, where she belongs."

I shot her a glare, my throat burning with unshed tears. 

"Fiancé?" My voice cracked. 

"Oh? Don't tell me you've gone deaf now. Didn't you hear him introduce her to everyone present as his fiancée?" She said, her lips curling into a sinister smile. "Did you really think someone like you could ever hold on to him? Sofia deserves to be the Don's wife, not you."

Her words hit me like a blow. "You and Sofia planned this, didn't you?" My voice cracked as anger replaced my despair. 

She chuckled. "Of course, we did. What did you expect? I wasn't about to let you walk out of here and live the life your mother never could. My Sofia deserves everything, and you deserve nothing."

Tears streamed down my face as I rose to my feet. "What did my mother ever do to you? What did I ever do to you?"

"She existed," my stepmother said coldly. "And you're just a constant reminder of her. Every time I look at you, I see her smug face. But don't worry, it won't be for much longer. Soon, you'll be gone for good."

Her words sent a chill down my spine.  What did she mean? Before I could question her further, she sauntered off to her room, leaving me standing there in shock. 

---

I had just finished showering and putting on my pj's when Carlotta came into my room. She's the elderly chief maid. Her face was filled with worry.

"Daisy," she said, her voice sounding urgent. 

"Ms. Carlotta?" I put down my hair dryer. The elderly maid had been more of a mother to me than anyone since I was a little girl, sneaking me cookies when I was sad and tending to my scrapes and bruises, both visible and hidden after my father's rages. 

She glanced around nervously before shutting the door and speaking in hushed tones. "You must leave tonight, child. I overheard your father. He plans to sell you to some men at dawn." 

My blood turned cold. "What? Sell me? But... how..."

There's no time for questions, she interrupted, gripping my hand. Your brother isn't here to protect you, so you must go. "I'll pack a small bag for you, I've prepared the back exit." She went to my wardrobe and started putting some clothes into a small tote bag.

"But the guards..."

"I took care of them," she whispered. "They've been... distracted for now. But you must hurry."

"What about you? If they find out you helped me..."

"Don't worry about me," she said firmly. "Just promise me you'll stay out of sight until Dante returns."

I hesitated, tears brimming in my eyes. "Thank you, Carlotta. I don't know how to repay you."

"Live, Daisy. That's all the thanks I need. You deserve to be happy."

She handed me the bag and ushered me out into the night.

---

The hotel lobby was quiet when I arrived. As I approached the desk, I nearly collided with someone stepping out of the elevator. 

"Mr Marino?" I gasped, my eyes widening in surprise. 

Don Vincenzo Marino stood before me, his commanding presence making the air feel heavier. Unlike Antonio's boyish good looks, there was something dangerous about Mr Marino's refined features; his gaze reminded me of the lions I'd seen at the zoo, beautiful but lethal. His eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, it felt like he could see every crack in my armor, every secret I was trying to hide. 

"Daisy," he said, his voice low. 

Hearing my name from his lips sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. He had never addressed me that way before... It was always Ms. Fontana. 

"I... I'm sorry," I stammered. "I didn't mean to bump into you. But I'm glad I did."

His gaze never wavered. "What are you doing here at this hour?" 

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I... I was looking for a place to stay for a while. Things at home are... complicated."

His brow arched. "Complicated, you say?"

I swallowed hard. "Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about something. If you have time, that is."

"Speak," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. 

I took a deep breath. "You once offered me a job as your assistant. I was wondering if... if the offer still stands."

For a moment, he said nothing, his eyes locked on mine. The silence was suffocating. 

"I promise to take the job seriously," I added quickly. "I... I need this, Mr Marino. I won't let you down."

Something flickered across his face. Amusement. Perhaps but it was gone as quickly as it came. 

"Don't be late tomorrow," he said finally. "I despise tardiness."

My heart leaped in my chest. "Does that mean I got the job?"

"Wasn't that clear?" He said. 

"Thank you," I said, relief washing over me. "Thank you so much, sir. I won't let you down."

"We'll see about that." 

Was it me, or did I see him smile? I think I imagined that.

With that, he turned and walked out of the lobby, leaving me standing there.

As his car pulled away, I clenched my fists. "Just wait, Antonio," I muttered under my breath. "You'll regret humiliating me." 

The naive, trusting girl who'd walked into that party was gone. In her place stood someone else, someone who understood that in this world of wealth and power, love was just a myth. 

For the first time that night, I felt a spark of hope igniting in my chest. I finally got my chance, and I wasn't going to waste it. 

---

I reached for my phone, my lock screen still showing that photo of Antonio and me at a restaurant last month. We had been so happy then, or at least I'd thought we were. 

My trembling fingers dialed Dante's number for the tenth time. "Please, please pick up," I whispered as it went to voicemail again. Where was he? My brother had never been unreachable when I needed him before. I'm sure this was all that witches' idea. She must have planned this. I'm sure she made dad send him on some business just to get him away.

"Dante, it's me again. Everything's falling apart. I need you. Please call me back as soon as you can."

Daisy's POV 

The sound of my phone vibrating against the nightstand jolted me awake. I reached for it, squinting my eyes at the screen. My stomach dropped when I saw the name flashing across it. Dad. I rejected the call, my heart pounding in my chest. The phone buzzed again almost immediately, and then again. He kept calling, over and over, relentless as always. I let it go to voicemail this time, squeezing my eyes shut as if that would block out the mess my life had become. 

But then, reality struck. 

"Oh, no." I sat upright in bed. It was my first day at work, and I was going to be late if I didn't get my ass out of bed.

I rushed into the bathroom. The cold water on my face helped, a little, washing away the remnants of last night's tears. I stared at my reflection, my pale face staring back at me. 

"Get it together, Daisy. You've got this," I whispered to myself. "You've survived worse. You can survive this as well."

Fifteen minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, checking my outfit. I was wearing a white blouse tucked into high-waisted black trousers, paired with nude heels. My outfit was simple and professional enough. I tied my hair into a low ponytail and grabbed my bag. 

As I stepped into the elevator, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text. I didn't want to open it, but my curiosity got the best of me.

Dad: Come back home this minute or I swear I won't spare you for embarrassing me a second time. 

I laughed under my breath. Embarrass you? What did he expect? That I'd sit still while he sold me off to God knows who?

I scoffed, a bitter smile gracing my lips. "Good luck with that," I muttered, deleting the message without replying. I had other things to worry about. 

---

I stood in awe, in front of Vincenzo's company. The glass skyscraper in front of me screamed money, power and intimidation. It was everything Vincenzo was rumoured to embody. 

I took a deep breath, clutching the strap of my bag for courage, and pushed the doors open. The lobby was a work of art. 

I approached the reception desk, where a woman with perfectly manicured nails was busy tapping away on her phone. 

"Hi," I began, trying to sound confident. "I'm Daisy Fontana, the new assistant. Could you direct me to Mr Marino's office?"

She glanced up, eyeing me like an insect. "Do you have an appointment?"

"I'm his assistant," I repeated, forcing a polite smile. 

"Assistants don't look like that." Her eyes scanned my outfit. "You look like you're here to seduce him, not work for him. I'm sorry but Mr Marino doesn't do bitches."

I clenched my jaw. The nerve of this woman. Look here lady, I'm sure your boss already told you I'd be coming in today. I just need to know where his office is. Can you...

"Miss Fontana?"

The deep voice startled me. I turned to see a tall man approaching. He's handsome. 

"Yes," I said cautiously. 

"The boss asked me to come get you." He gestured toward the elevators. 

Before I could thank him, the receptionist stood, her chair screeching against the floor. "Wait! She doesn't have an appointment..."

It's obvious she has feelings for Vincenzo. But that's not my problem. She wouldn't be a receptionist if he was interested in her.

The man cut her off with a cool glance. "You're relieved of your duties. Effective immediately."

Her mouth fell open. "You can't be serious..."

"The boss doesn't tolerate incompetence, and delaying his assistant on her first day? That's unforgivable," he said, his tone ice-cold. "Pack your things."

The receptionist's face turned beet red, but she sat down without another word. 

"Shall we?" He said, turning to me. 

I nodded, following him into the elevator. My heart was pounding, not just from the interaction but from the ruthlessness I'd just witnessed. Vincenzo's reputation wasn't exaggerated. If anything, it was understated. 

For a brief moment, doubt crept in. Could I work for a man like him? I shook the thought away. There was no turning back now. This was my only way to get close to Antonio again and make him see me in a new light.

---

The elevator opened to reveal a stunning office space with black furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city skyline. Original artwork adorned the walls, a massive desk, and behind it stood the man himself.

"Are you here to admire my office or to work?" 

The voice sent a shiver down my spine. I turned and there he was, Vincenzo Marino. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in his tailored charcoal suit that made my simple outfit feel like rags. But it wasn't just his appearance. It's the way he carried himself like he owned not just the room but the very air we breathed. 

"I... I'm sorry," I stammered, lowering my gaze. 

"Sit," he ordered, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. 

I obeyed, my palms sweating. 

"This is Marco," he said, nodding toward the man who had escorted me. "He'll show you around and brief you on your responsibilities."

"Nice to meet you," Marco said, offering me a kind smile. 

I offered a small smile in return and extended my hand for a handshake. 

Vincenzo cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the room like a knife. "This isn't a social gathering. You'll have plenty of time for introductions later."

I nodded quickly. "Understood, sir." I pulled my hand back, swallowing hard. 

"Good. Marco, take her around. I expect her to be up to speed by the time I call for her." Vincenzo said, dismissing us with a curt nod. 

"Yes, sir," Marco replied, leading me out of the office.

---

Marco led me through the maze of hallways, explaining everything as we went. 

"Your main job is to manage his schedule, handle correspondence, and make sure everything runs smoothly." He said, showing me to a desk outside Vincenzo's office. "He's particular about punctuality, so don't ever be late. The computer system is customized, I'll help you set up your passwords later." 

"I won't be late," I assured him, taking in the dual monitors and elaborate phone system. 

"He starts his day at 7 AM sharp with a review of international markets. You'll need to have reports ready by 6:45. Coffee... black, no sugar. It should be on his desk by 6:50. He takes lunch at exactly 1 PM unless otherwise specified, and all afternoon meetings must end by 6 PM."

I nodded, mentally cataloguing each detail. "What about his business interests? What should I focus on learning first?"

Marco smiled slightly. "Smart question. He's heavily involved in real estate development, particularly luxury properties. The travel sector is his newest venture, high-end hotels and resorts. You'll need to familiarize yourself with both industries, their key players, and current market trends."

"What's he like as a boss?" I asked hesitantly. 

Marco hesitated, then chuckled. "Let's just say he doesn't tolerate mistakes. But if you work hard and prove yourself, he can be... fair."

That's reassuring, I muttered, though I wasn't entirely convinced. How was I supposed to get him to notice me if I had to do so much work?

After a while, we stopped outside the restroom. "Take five if you need it. We'll continue the tour after."

"Thanks," I said, slipping inside. 

I barely had time to breathe before voices reached me. 

"Did you see her? The girl whose engagement got called off last night?"

"Yeah, and now she's working here? Talk about desperate,"

"Desperate and manipulative. She already got Sarah fired on her first day,"

"Classic gold-digger move."

My hands curled into fists. I pushed open the stall door and stepped out. 

The three girls froze, their eyes wide. 

"What are you still doing here?" I asked, my voice cold. "Run along before I decide to get you fired too."

One of them stepped forward. "Who do you think you are..."

"Don't," I interrupted. I rinsed my hands and turned to face them fully. "There are people in this world I can't stand up to. But you? You're nothing. So, unless you want me to personally scratch those smug expressions off your faces, stay out of my way."

Then, just for good measure, I flicked the water from my hands onto their faces and walked out. 

"Bunch of idiots," I muttered under my breath, my chin held high. 

---

I had barely settled at my desk when Vincenzo's voice came through the intercom. 

"Miss Fontana. My office. Now."

Taking a deep breath, I smoothed my blouse and walked in, notebook ready. He stood by the window.

"There's a real estate conference next week in Bergamo," he said without turning around. "I need you to arrange everything."

"Everything, sir?"

Now he did turn, his dark eyes assessing me. "Hotel booking, car service, dinner reservations for each night. I'm meeting with five different developers. Research them. I want detailed profiles on my desk by tomorrow morning." 

Five developers to research, logistics to arrange, all by tomorrow? "Of course, sir. Will there be anything else?"

His lips curved into what might have been amusement. "Let's see how you handle your first task. Your performance determines if you get to keep working here or not."

Oh my God, did I just get challenged by my boss?

---

By two o'clock, my eyes were burning from staring at the screen. I'd managed to book everything for Milan and was halfway through the developer profiles. 

"Hey, new girl." A voice interrupted my concentration. A young girl with black hair stood by my desk. "I'm Isabella. Want to grab lunch?"

I hesitated, surprised by the sudden friendliness. 

"Come on," she insisted. "You look like you could use a break."

"Sure." I finally gave in.

---

The small café across the street was packed with office workers. Isabella ordered for both of us, waving away my protest. 

"So," she said once we were seated. "You're either very brave or very stupid."

I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth. "Excuse me?"

"Taking this job. Nobody lasts as Vincenzo's assistant. The last one had a nervous breakdown after two weeks."

"Thanks for boosting my confidence," I said dryly. 

Isabella leaned forward. "Look, I'm trying to help. Vincenzo Marino isn't just your average CEO. He's... different. Dangerous. And the way he looked at you when he passed by your desk earlier..."

"The way he looked at me, what?"

"Never mind, just be careful, and don't overwork yourself."

---

I was heading back from the copy room when I heard his voice. My heart stopped. 

"Dad, do you have a moment?"

Antonio. Here. Of course he's here, Vincenzo is his father. I just didn't expect to see him today.

I froze,clutching the papers to my chest. Should I turn around? Hide? But before I could decide, he rounded the corner and saw me. 

The colour drained from his face. "Daisy?"

I forced myself to stay calm, though my heart was racing. "Antonio."

"What are you doing here?"

"Working," I said coldly. "Or is that too difficult for you to comprehend?"

"You're working for my father?" His voice rose slightly. "After what you did?"

"After what I did? That's rich, coming from you. How's Sofia? Enjoying my ring?"

"You lied to everyone," he hissed, stepping closer. "You're not even a real Fontana."

"No," I agreed, meeting his gaze. "I'm better. Because unlike you, I don't need a family name to prove my worth. And let's not forget who the biggest liar is here. All those fake promises, telling me you loved me when you were only using me to get more power."

"Is there a problem here?"

We both were startled by Vincenzo's voice. He stood in his doorway, his expression unreadable. 

"No, dad." Antonio said. "I was just leaving."

"Good." Vincenzo's eyes turned to me. "Daisy, those reports won't copy themselves."

I nodded, slipping past them both. But not before I caught the look of fury on Antonio's face. 

One point for me.

---

That night, I sat in my hotel room surrounded by research papers and takeout containers, my phone buzzing with a text from an unknown number.

"Impressive first day. Keep it up. V"

I stared at the message, a smile slowly spreading across my face. I guess I have to work harder to get his attention. 

My phone buzzed again. This time it was my father. 

"You can't hide forever, Daisy. Come home now, or there will be consequences if I find you myself."

I deleted his message without responding and turned back to my work. Let him threaten. Let Antonio seethe. Let them all underestimate me. 

I promise I'll make everyone regret all they've done to me.

Daisy's POV 

The conference was huge. Big bright chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and people were everywhere. The kind of people who had power, money, and everything I didn't. I stood next to Vincenzo, trying not to feel small. My black dress was nice, but here, it felt plain. 

I had spent hours preparing for this moment. Marco had drilled me on protocols, how to stand, how to listen, and how to blend in. 

"You're not just an assistant," he had told me. "You're an extension of Vincenzo Marino. Every move you make reflects on him."

Vincenzo leaned down slightly to speak to me, his voice low. "I need to take care of something. Don't wander too far."

Before I could say anything, he walked off. He blended into this world like he owned it. Well, probably because he did. 

I stayed where I was, pretending to listen to the people around me. It was boring. Nothing they said made sense to me. I thought about how I'd gotten here. Just a while ago, I was a girl about to be engaged, living a life I thought I wanted. Now, I was an assistant to a man who'd just as easily kill someone like it meant nothing. 

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Sofia. 

"Enjoying playing secretary? I don't think Antonio would get back to you. You'll never belong in this world."

I deleted the message, my fingers pressing harder than necessary. I had no time for her mind games. But, if she already knew I was working for Vincenzo, then it wouldn't be long until my dad found me. I thought about asking Vincenzo for help but that didn't seem possible. I mean, why would he want to help me? 

After a while, my feet started hurting, and I got tired of standing. I decided to go find Vincenzo. What's taking so long? I thought the assistant was supposed to be everywhere her boss was.

I walked out of the conference hall, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses fading behind me. The estate was massive, with expensive art on the walls of the long hallways. I wandered around for a bit, not sure where I was going until I found the garden. 

The garden was beautiful. The smell of roses filled my nose. For a second, I forgot about the party, and everything else. I felt calm. 

Then I saw him. 

Vincenzo stood at the far end of the garden. But he wasn't alone. Three men stood with him, and one man was kneeling on the ground. My heart started pounding as I got closer. I wasn't stupid, I knew what kind of man Vincenzo was. But this... this was different. 

I moved closer so I could hear what they were saying, trying my best to stay in the shadows. Of course, I didn't want them to see me, but I couldn't look away. I tend to be extremely curious sometimes. 

The man on the ground was crying. His face was swollen, and blood was dripping from a cut on his lip. He was begging. 

"Please, Mr Marino," he said, his voice shaking. "I have a family. Two kids. They need me. I'll pay you back, I swear. Just give me more time."

Vincenzo's voice was cold as he spoke. "I think your time is already overdue. Don't you agree?"

The man shook his head frantically. "No, no, I swear I was going to..."

"I gave you time. More than enough." Vincenzo said. "And you thought you could play me. You thought I'd forget."

"No, I wasn't trying to play you!" The man's voice cracked. "It was a mistake! I'll fix it! Just a little more time, that's all I ask."

Vincenzo tilted his head like he was thinking. "Don't worry about your family," he said. "They'll be taken care of. But you? Your time is up.  I'm sure they'll be better off without you."

The man screamed, begging for his life as Vincenzo pulled out a gun. 

"Please..."

The gunshot was loud, ringing in my ears. The man fell forward, his body hitting the ground with a thud. 

I gasped before I could stop myself. My hands flew to my mouth, but it was too late. Vincenzo's head snapped up, his dark eyes stared at me.

I panicked. Without thinking, I turned and walked away as fast as I could. I didn't run, I was too scared they'd come after me if I did. My heart was racing, my stomach twisting in disgust as I remembered how the bullet went through that man's head.

I made it back into the building, my heels clicking on the marble floor. I just wanted to leave. To get away from this place, from him. I think this was a dumb idea. There's no way I could get a man as ruthless as him to notice me. What if he realises what my plans are and then kills me too? No, never, I can't risk my life for this stupid revenge.

I felt a hand on my waist, causing me to flinch. 

"Where do you think you're going, little woman?"

It was Vincenzo. His voice was calm, but there was something in it that made my skin prickle. I turned to face him, trying to hide how scared I was. 

"I... I was just heading back," I said, my voice shaky. "I'm tired."

He raised an eyebrow, his grip on my waist firm. "Tired? Or running away because of what you saw?"

I froze. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mr Marino."

"Don't lie to me. Daisy." His hand moved to my chin, tilting my face up. His touch was soft, but it felt like a warning. "I hate lies."

"I wasn't... I didn't mean to see anything, I promise." I said quickly. "I was bored. I went for a walk. That's all."

He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes held mine. Then he chuckled, low and dark. 

"You're scared," he said. 

I nodded. What else could I do? I was terrified. 

"Good," he said. "You should be."

He leaned closer, his face was so close I could feel his breath. My heart was pounding so hard I thought he might hear it. 

"You came to me on your own, Daisy," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You could have stayed away after everything, but you didn't. And now that you've seen how I am, don't try to run. Because I won't let you."

I didn't know what to say. His words confused me and scared me. Did he mean he'd hurt me? Was it because I saw what happened earlier? But I'm not a threat. I wasn't planning to tell anyone, even if I did, there's nothing the police can do about it. 

"I don't understand, sir," I whispered. 

He straightened, letting go of my chin but not my waist. "Come. I'll drop you off at home."

"No," I said quickly, shaking my head. His eyebrows went up, and I rushed to explain. "I'm not going home. You can just drop me at the hotel where we first ran into each other." 

"You're still staying at the hotel?"

"Yes," I said. "I mean, just until I find an apartment."

He didn't say anything, but I could tell he was thinking. After a moment, he nodded. "Fine."

He led me to his car, his hand resting on my lower back. His touch was light, but it made me nervous. Or maybe it made me feel something else. No, what's wrong with me? I just saw him kill a man a few minutes ago. 

When we got to the car, he opened the door for me. I slid into the seat, my hands folded in my lap. He got in on the other side and instructed the driver on where to go.

The ride was quiet. I stared out the window, trying to calm my racing thoughts. What had I gotten myself into? 

But despite everything that happened tonight, I wasn't as terrified as I thought I would be. The only thing I thought about was the way he looked in the garden, calm and in control. The way he had touched my chin and held my waist earlier. 

I wasn't scared of Vincenzo Marino. 

I was fascinated by him. A part of me wished I could be as ruthless and commanding as him. Maybe my life wouldn't have been a complete mess. My father wouldn't have so much power over me. And I could kill everyone who hurt me.

"You're not afraid, Daisy," Vincenzo said suddenly. It wasn't a question. 

I looked at him. "Should I be?"

He laughed, q real laugh this time. "Most people would be terrified. But you, you're different."

"Different how?"

"Calculating," he said. "You're trying to understand, not judge."

I thought about my life. About Antonio. About Sofia. About everything I'd gone through. I remained silent, not knowing what to say. 

His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. Something passed between us... understanding. Some kind of connection. 

---

That night in the hotel, I couldn't sleep. The image of the man in the garden kept replaying. I should be terrified. I should be planning on how to stay far from Vincenzo. 

Instead, all I could think about was what it'd be like if my father knelt in front of me while I put a bullet through his head.