Filed to story: Second Chance Mafia Bride Drama Novel
He looked fit to burst with anger.
Mr. Salerno had finally agreed to make an appearance-so how had things turned into such a circus? And to make matters worse, Barry could already hear his mother’s shrill voice echoing through the hall.
He knew his mother could never keep her temper, but times had changed. She was the lady of a prominent household now; couldn’t she show a little dignity?
The arrival of the head of the Salerno family brought the commotion to an abrupt halt. All eyes turned in his direction.
And then, to everyone’s surprise, Barry wasn’t alone. A man in a wheelchair sat beside him.
He was striking his features sharp and handsome, his presence commanding and regal. Even seated, the air around him seemed to crackle with authority, making it impossible not to feel a shiver of awe in his presence. Nobody dared meet his gaze.
What truly unsettled everyone, though, was the way Barry treated him-with almost embarrassing deference, bordering on obsequiousness.
Who was this man?
As if answering their silent question, Barry bowed and said, “Mr. Salerno, please forgive my mother’s bluntness. She means no harm…”
Mr. Salerno?!
The words sent a jolt through the room.
Everyone knew there was only one person Barry would address as “Mr. Salerno” with such respect: the legendary Mr. Salerno himself.
The women who’d been gossiping gaped in disbelief.
This-this was Mr. Salerno?
He was supposed to be old and hideous!
The realization dawned, and panic spread through the group. Faces drained of color as they scrambled to melt into the background.
Gossiping about Mr. Salerno behind his back was one thing. But now that he was here in the flesh, even ten lifetimes’ worth of courage wouldn’t let them say a word.
Who could have guessed he’d show up himself?
Thank God, they thought, he hadn’t heard their whispers. Only that little nobody, Serena, had.
A silent sigh of relief swept through the onlookers.
Elder Mrs. Salerno, however, seized the moment. “Mr. Salerno, this girl has no respect for you! I was just about to teach her a lesson!” she complained, shooting her son a nervous glance as he glared at her in warning.
Nicholas’s face was as unreadable as ever, his cool, distant eyes betraying nothing. He glanced at his young wife and spoke in his usual unhurried tone. “Are you looking down on me?”
“Absolutely!” Elder Mrs. Salerno snapped. “She knows perfectly well about my relationship with Mr. Salerno, and yet she dared to point at me and scold me to my face! Isn’t that a direct insult to Mr. Salerno himself?”
“Mr. Salerno can’t let her get away with this,” someone chimed in. “If he does, people will start thinking he’s someone you can just walk all over!”
Serena had been delighted to see Nicholas arrive, ready to greet him, but then she caught wind of the conversation. She rolled her eyes dramatically, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, come on. Since when does a mistress get to represent the dignity of Mr. Salerno? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were some grand matriarch of the Salerno family! Really, Mrs. Salerno, who do you think you are?”
Everyone knew Elder Mrs. Salerno was the mistress. Who didn’t? But the Salerno family wielded so much power in Riverton that even Barry, the illegitimate son, could throw his weight around in Fairhaven. So, even if people whispered about it behind closed doors, no one dared say it out loud.
No one except Serena, apparently. Not only did she say it, she repeated it, trampling all over her pride in front of everyone.
Elder Mrs. Salerno was so furious she nearly fainted. “You-you-!”
Just then, Damien strode over and caught his grandmother, his face thunderous as he scolded, “Serena! Do you even know where you are? Who gave you the nerve to talk to my grandmother like that?”
His haughty tone implied his grandmother was someone untouchable.
“What, did I say anything that wasn’t true?” Serena shot back, unruffled.
As for who gave her the nerve-Serena glanced at her husband, a sly idea forming.
“And so what if I’m here? As long as I have my husband by my side, I can say what I want, wherever I want!”
Damien laughed derisively. “Your husband? Please. From what I hear, he’s got a bit of money, sure, but he’s not even fit to shine my shoes.”
He puffed himself up, expecting Serena to shrink back in humiliation, but instead, she gave him a mischievous, almost pitying smile.
Without missing a beat, Serena turned around and called out, her voice ringing through the hall, “Honey, Damien says you’re not even qualified to shine his shoes!”
The room fell utterly silent. Every head turned toward Serena.
Wait-her husband was here?
In the next instant, to everyone’s shock, Serena lifted her skirt slightly and practically skipped toward-
Wait… Was that Mr. Salerno?
The grand hall was plunged into a deathly hush.
The first sound to break the silence was Logan’s cool, sardonic voice from beside Nicholas. “Well, well. Quite the arrogance, Damien. Mr. Salerno isn’t even good enough to shine your shoes?”
Damien’s face drained of color. “No-I didn’t mean it like that, Uncle Nicholas, I swear, I had no idea she was talking about you-“
Nicholas didn’t even acknowledge him. He was focused on the girl now standing before him. “Having fun?” he asked, his dark gaze seeming to see right through her.
Serena’s eyes darted away, knowing she could never hide her little schemes from him. “I’m not playing around, honey. Someone insulted you!” she huffed, pointing accusingly at Damien.
This time, Nicholas finally turned his attention to Damien.
One look. That was all it took. Damien’s knees nearly buckled, and he stammered, “Un-Uncle Nicholas, I didn’t mean any disrespect! I didn’t know she meant you
“Mr. Salerno! Damien didn’t mean it! Please, you’re a bigger man let this one slide!” Barry rushed forward, cold sweat beading on his forehead as he pleaded for his son.
Nicholas’s long, elegant fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair. His gaze was indifferent, and he was about to speak when a small hand suddenly pressed down on his.
Serena beat him to it.
“So arrogant just now, wasn’t he? He actually said Mr. Salerno wasn’t even fit to shine his shoes! And now he wants to brush it all off with a simple ‘I didn’t mean it’? Does he really think it’s that easy?”
Damien’s face twisted in disbelief. “Serena?!”
He couldn’t believe it. Wasn’t Serena madly in love with him before? Now, she looked like she couldn’t wait to see him fall.
Serena couldn’t care less about his shock. She turned back, flashing a sly look. “Well, darling, don’t you agree?”
Her bright eyes were wide, and the way she looked at him made it clear-if he dared say no, she’d cover his mouth herself.
…There was no mistaking it: she was determined to make Damien suffer.
Nicholas glanced down at the two small hands holding his own, his skin burning under her touch, though she seemed completely unaware. Amused despite himself, he looked away and spoke, his voice low and steady. “Of course it’s not that easy.”
“Mr. Salerno…!” The Salerno father and son went pale as ghosts.
Why did Mr. Salerno always take Serena’s side?!
Serena’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. She narrowed her eyes at Damien, practically rubbing her hands together. “So, darling, how should we punish him?”
Nicholas asked, “How do you want to do it?”