Cassie noticed the tense atmosphere downstairs. With a faint smile, she approached, holding an exquisite music box.

"So this is Annelise. Welcome home," she said warmly, her tone light and airy.

With that, she glided toward me and offered the music box.

I instinctively sidestepped.

'Good thing I was quick,' I thought. 'If I hadn't moved and took that box, I would've been pricked by the poisoned needle hidden inside. And with my temper, I would've shoved her to the ground. Then, this whole family would have accused me of ruining her "thoughtful" gift out of jealousy.'

'Vicious bitch. She’s a black widow in the flesh.'

Cassie’s hands met empty air. The music box slipped, shattering on the marble floor. Her face twisted in a flash of humiliation as she lost her balance, stumbling against the dining table. A wave of red wine and soup crashed over her, drenching her from head to toe.

Soaked and looking utterly stunned, she shot me a pitiful glance before playing the victim to perfection.

"Annelise, do you hate me? Is it because I took your place? I understand, I really do. You have every right to resent me. But I love Papa, Mamma, and my brothers so much… I don't want to leave them. Please, don't make me go!"

For a moment, everyone was stunned. But sure enough, someone fell for her act.

Leo strode over, his face a mask of fury, and helped her up. "Annelise! What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you dodge? She was just trying to give you a gift!"

I rolled my eyes internally. 'Only an idiot wouldn't dodge. Can't you see it was a trap? She should’ve stuck that needle in your eye instead.'

I blinked innocently and shrugged. "It wasn't on purpose."

Cassie, still dripping and miserable, tried to speak. "Papa, Mamma, I didn't—"

But Leo cut her off.

“Annelise has been running wild for years. God knows how twisted she is inside! Why would anyone believe a word she says?”

Cassie nestled into his arms, a faint, triumphant smirk touching her lips as she shot me a look of pure challenge.

She was waiting for me to lose my temper and start screaming.

'Excuse me? It’s my fault I’ve been "running wild"? Need I remind you that no one in this family has clean hands? A Made Man has the nerve to call me dirty?'

'So what if I hustled? I worked shifts at dive bars just to eat. Is that less noble than your blood money?'

'While I was fighting to survive, keeping my head down just to stay alive.'

'So why am I still nothing?'

'Because I refuse to sell my soul, that's why! But your precious Principessa? The one who flaunts the Marchetti name? She built her empire on her back, sleeping her way to the top. And you idiots actually think she’s some kind of business guru.'

"You're lying!" Before the ever-explosive Leo could react, someone else shrieked.

Cassie, her face flushed, pointed a trembling finger at me. "You're lying!"

"Huh?" I blinked, stunned. "What did I say?"

I swear to God, I hadn't said a word. Sure, I’d been roasting them in my head, but my lips hadn’t moved.

"You just said I—" Cassie stammered, flustered, unable to find the words.

I looked at her, perplexed. "Cat got your tongue? Need a little help?"

Leo picked up where she left off. "You just said—" He, too, trailed off, lost.

'Oh, great. Is there a contagious brain fog in the Marchetti family? Should I make a run for it?'

'Okay, new plan. If I slap him and play the victim, will they finally throw me out?' I wondered.

"Leo! Take Cassie to her room to rest!"

Luciano, who had been observing the chaos in silence, finally spoke, his tone sharp and impatient.

I reluctantly lowered my hand. Cassie shot me a glare so intense it could kill.

But the next second, her face turned beet red. She clawed at her throat, her body convulsing as she struggled to breathe.

Her terrified eyes locked onto mine.

"What are you looking at me for? You think I can piss people off without even opening my mouth?" I said sarcastically.

"Leo, hurry up!" Isabella urged with a sharp cough.

Leo and Cassie stomped away, fuming.

I sat back down, my gaze lingering regretfully on the ruined feast.

"I'm hungry. Where's the food?"

"Annelise, just a moment. The kitchen is preparing new dishes," Isabella soothed gently.

I nodded obediently.

To break the awkward tension, Luciano changed the subject, turning to my eldest brother. "The Gallo family has arrived. We were thinking of setting up a meeting this week to discuss your marriage to Seraphina Gallo."

'Seraphina Gallo… that name rings a bell.'

The entire table seemed to freeze.

Meanwhile, I tried to sift through the data dump from the voice in my head.

Luciano smiled, his gaze lingering on me a moment too long.

"My dear Annelise, wouldn't it be wonderful if the Gallo family's daughter became your sister-in-law?"

My eldest brother, Vincenzo, looked me straight in the eye, awaiting my response.

By then, I had dug up the dirt and nodded seriously. "Sounds wonderful."

The whole family visibly relaxed.

But before they could fully exhale, I silently added: 'A spineless cuckold and a venomous black widow. What a perfect match. Truly, a match made in hell.'

My eldest brother, Vincenzo, jolted. The wine glass in his hand cracked with a sharp snap, red wine splashing onto the white tablecloth.

As he got up to get a napkin, I snuck a glance at him. 'Everyone in this house is a mess. Dim-witted, short-fused, and fragile as glass.'

'I really need to bail. I have no intention of going down with this sinking ship, especially since they’ve never once treated me like family.’

'Well, maybe Papa and Mamma are okay,' I amended, sneaking a peek at my parents, who were watching me with concern. 'The jury's still out. I'll keep observing.'

Isabella's gaze softened. She smiled at me with a warmth that felt a little unsettling. "Annelise, have you met Seraphina before?"

"No, I haven't. But I've heard of her."

'Never met her, but I’ve definitely heard the gossip,' I added mentally.

'She's Cassie's best friend, which is why this family thinks she's the perfect match. They're two peas in a pod—equally conniving and ruthless.'

'Oh, and she’s pregnant. Vincenzo gets to be an instant dad the second they're married. How fun is that?' I couldn't help but snicker internally.

Vincenzo, who had just wiped his hands, finally crushed the fragile glass in his fist.

“Vincenzo and Seraphina have barely spent any time together. This is premature,” Luciano interjected coolly.

Vincenzo nodded quickly, and Isabella seemed to agree.

I blinked. Weren't they just setting a wedding date? Why the sudden reversal?

'Still, this marriage is a done deal—Cassie is too close to her. Speaking of which, you know why they’re so close? Because what Seraphina really wants is the Marchetti family's shipping lines. She's marrying into the family to spy for the Gallos.'

Just then, Vincenzo choked, spitting out a mouthful of soda water.

'Seraphina has always moved through circles of powerful men. Getting close to Vincenzo was just an assignment.'

'Besides, her real preference is for sweet, gentle girls. Ugh, and she actually thought she could make a move on me?'

"What?!" Luciano suddenly shouted, slamming his hand on the table.

I flinched, looking up in confusion.

He awkwardly retracted his hand and forced a sheepish smile. "Oh, sorry, my dear Annelise. Just remembered some frustrating business. Pay me no mind."

Everyone else at the table seemed bizarrely calm, so I shrugged and turned my attention back to the gossip unfolding in my head.

'So that's it. Cassie complained to her about my return—the "true heiress." She even showed Seraphina my file, hoping she’d give me a hard time. But instead of getting angry, Seraphina saw me as a rival to be eliminated. She wants to play some deadly cat-and-mouse game with me.'

'Is she insane? Even if I were into women, I’d want someone hot and kind, not a cold-blooded, manipulative viper like her!'

Isabella nodded slightly, catching my eye. I glanced at her, only to see her rubbing her neck, complaining it was stiff.

I dismissed it and refocused on the plot.

'What?! She’s holding a girl captive in her villa just for rejecting her? That's kidnapping! My God, she's a complete psychopath. She belongs in a cage!'

My heart pounded. How could I slip away to call the police without arousing suspicion?

Without thinking, I shot up from my seat and blurted out, "I'm not feeling well, I need to go to my room!"

I rushed out before they could respond.

I had just reached the staircase when Leo appeared at the top, blocking my path. He must have heard my loud declaration, because he sneered, “So undisciplined.”

"I have urgent business, no time for you," I shot him a glare and then bolted up the stairs.

Behind me, I heard Vincenzo smack him on the back of the head, roaring, "Shut your mouth!"

That night, I heard muffled commotions and a few thuds from downstairs. The next morning when I came down, everything was calm again.

As I walked into the dining room, I saw the family huddled together, whispering. Amidst the murmurs, I heard Leo say, "But Cassie said she doesn't want to be part of our family anymore! She doesn't want to be a Marchetti daughter!"

I looked at the back of his head, feeling a wave of pity for his sheer denseness.

'You idiot. It’s not about being a sister anymore. She wants to be your sister-in-law.'