Filed to story: Second Chance Mafia Bride Drama Novel
There was an unmistakable note of indulgence in his tone.
Serena’s eyes instantly sparkled, almost dangerously. “You mean I get to decide?!”
Nicholas replied, “Of course.”
A bad feeling swept over Damien-and it wasn’t long before that feeling turned into dread.
Serena dashed outside, stopping by the pool. Without hesitation, she called out, “Turn the water up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit!”
The control system whirred to life, and soon, steam began to curl up from the water’s surface.
Serena turned back, a wicked grin on her face. “Mr. Salerno, you may come over now!”
Damien saw right through her plan, and his expression darkened.
It was the peak of summer; just standing outside was nearly unbearable. Getting into a pool that hot would be pure torture.
When he didn’t move, Serena’s eyes narrowed dangerously. She glanced at Nicholas. “Darling, looks like Mr. Salerno still isn’t convinced.”
Nicholas lifted his gaze, supporting his wife with no hesitation. “Barry, your son seems defiant.”
Barry’s cold sweat poured down. He spun on Damien, giving him a sharp slap. “Didn’t you hear Mrs. Salerno? Get over there-now!”
Damien’s face flushed with humiliation, but he had no choice but to walk to the edge of the pool.
Serena folded her arms and lifted her chin, her voice lazy but commanding. “Turn around.”
Damien’s jaw tightened, but he did as she said.
Serena stepped forward-then paused.
“Stick your butt out,” she ordered.
“…What?” Damien stared at her, stunned, thinking he must have misheard.
Serena smiled sweetly. “I said, stick your butt out. Otherwise, how am I supposed to kick you? If you didn’t hear me, I can say it louder.”
Damien’s face turned the color of storm clouds.
“Serena! That’s enough-don’t push it!”
Making him perform such a humiliating act in front of so many people did she want to strip him of all dignity?
When Damien refused to comply, Serena’s expression turned icy. She scoffed, spun around, and called out sweetly, “Honey-“”
Nicholas replied without missing a beat, “Barry.”
Barry’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately bowed and grinned obsequiously, then whipped around and barked at his son, “Well? Do as Mrs. Salerno says, now!”
So what if he suffered a little? So what if he lost face? If they didn’t appease Mr. Salerno’s anger, their whole family might be finished.
Damien’s face twisted through a storm of emotions. Under the crushing pressure, he finally gave in, swallowing his pride and performing the ridiculous gesture she demanded.
Snickers rippled through the crowd. Damien burned with humiliation and rage, his face dark as thunder. He grit his teeth and hissed, “Serena, I’m warning you- this is your last chance. If you apologize now-“
Before he could finish, a powerful kick landed squarely on his back.
With an enormous splash, Damien crashed into the pool, yelping and thrashing as the scalding water seared his skin.
Serena sauntered to the pool’s edge, looking down at his sorry state with a half-smile. “Sorry, what was that you were saying?”
Apologize to him? Give him another chance? Was he out of his mind?
Damien struggled to the surface, sputtering. “Serena, you-!”
She cut him off, voice languid, “Just a reminder: I’m Mrs. Salerno now. I don’t think someone of your standing has the right to call me by name.”
Damien froze. She might have been talking about names, but her meaning was crystal clear-she was warning him that she was now someone he couldn’t afford to cross.
After all, Mr. Salerno was standing behind her.
Watching Damien flounder in the water like a drenched mutt, gasping from the heat but not daring to protest, Serena felt a surge of satisfaction.
She tossed over her shoulder, “You can come out when I say so!”
Then, light on her feet, she returned to Nicholas’s side.
He glanced at her. “Feeling better now?”
Serena started to nod, then paused and changed her answer. “Not quite there yet.”
As she spoke, her gaze swept the crowd, lingering pointedly on the small group that had been gossiping earlier.
“Honey, there was more than one person badmouthing you just now!”
The faces of the accused blanched instantly.
Who could have guessed that Mr. Salerno would show up out of nowhere? Or that he was Serena’s husband?
Especially Mrs. Salerno and her daughter, who’d been the most outspoken- they could barely stand, knees trembling.
“M-Mr. Salerno! We didn’t mean any harm-!”
Serena cut them off, pouting as she tattled, “That’s a lie! They were saying all sorts of things about you, right in front of everyone. I tried to stop them and they just yelled at me!”
She looked the picture of innocent grievance anyone who didn’t know better might think she’d been terribly bullied. The truth was, she’d more than held her own; it was Mrs. Salerno’s group who’d ended up a mess.
Nicholas couldn’t hold back a chuckle at her righteous indignation. “That upset you so much?”
Serena huffed, “Of course I’m upset! They were talking smack about you!” Nicholas was caught off guard, a strange feeling stirring in his chest.
“So, what do I have to do to keep you from being angry?” There was a tenderness in his gaze-so subtle even he didn’t notice-his voice indulgent as he asked.
Serena glanced back at Damien, who looked about ready to pass out from the heat in the water, and laughed. Her voice was soft and melodious. “On a scorching day like this, why not let them cool off in the pool, too?”
A faint smile flickered in Nicholas’s eyes as he studied the girl before him. His tone was gentle. “Sere, you’re too kind.”
Kind?!
That word made Mrs. Salerno and the others wonder if he even knew what it meant!
Just look at their drenched dresses and dripping hair, look at Damien floundering in the pool, and then listen to the wicked little suggestion she’d just made. How on earth did *Serena* and the word “kind” even belong in the same sentence?!
“No-I won’t do it!” Ms. Salerno stared at the steaming pool in horror, shrieking as she stumbled back.
Suddenly, her eyes reddened as she turned to the striking, dignified man at the center of it all. “Mr. Salerno, we really didn’t say anything bad about you! Serena is just making things up-she’s twisting the truth and blaming innocent people!”
Since Serena had no proof, she opened her mouth and lied without a blink. “She’s just out to get me, framing me for things I never did! Why should I be punished for something I didn’t do? Mr. Salerno, please, I don’t want to get in that water…”
She even started sobbing, her delicate, pitiful act making several of the men in the room ache with sympathy.