Chapter 20 My heart clenched as Primo strode in , but the real knife twisted when I saw Yesha behind him . My supposed best friend wore . an emerald dress that highlighted her curves , her smile bright as sunshine - and just as false . " Vincent , what an honor . " Primo's voice carried that familiar commanding tone as he approached the table . His eyes flickered to me for a fraction of a second before moving on . Yesha maintained a careful distance from him as she offered her greetings , playing her part perfectly . " Mr. Castellano , you look wonderful . Those Italian summers clearly agree with you . " I kept my face neutral as they took their seats - Primo settling directly across from Adrian , while Yesha sat opposite me . The table arrangement felt like some cosmic . joke , forcing me to stare at the woman 80 % 19.08 1/9 Chapter 20 who'd betrayed me while pretending . nothing was wrong . My father and Vincent remained oblivious to the undercurrents of tension , chatting about their recent business ventures . Yesha leaned forward , her smile warm as she addressed me . " Asteria , darling , this setup is gorgeous . You always had an eye for detail . " I returned her smile with practiced ease , though bile rose in my throat . " Thank you , Yesha . I'm glad you could join us . " Across the table , Adrian and Primo sized each other up with the careful neutrality of apex predators sharing territory . The air crackled with unspoken hostility . Servants glided in with the first course as Vincent raised his glass . " To new partnerships and friends . " We all lifted our glasses . It was a perfect . tableau of civility masking secrets that could tear everything apart . I caught 80 % 1906 2/9 Chapter 20 Adrian's eye briefly, drawing strength from his steady presence as the charade began . Vincent set down his glass , his weathered face creasing with a smile . " The Mitchell family has always shown remarkable discretion in their dealings . And the Chromos - well , your reputation precedes you , Primo . " I kept 11 expression carefully blank as Primo leaned forward , radiating confidence . " We've worked hard to earn your trust , Vincent . The expansion of our shipping routes through Naples last year proved quite beneficial for both parties . " My father nodded approvingly while Adrian remained still beside me , his presence a quiet anchor . I could feel the calculated way he observed every movement , every word . " Indeed . " Primo's smile widened . " Which is why I believe a union between our families would cement something truly remarkable . My marriage to Asteria would align three 80 % 19:08 3/9 Chapter 20 powerful dynasties . " He gestured between himself and my father . " The Mitchell- Chromos alliance would be worthy of joining the Big Five , don't you agree ? " My stomach turned to ice , but I maintained . my composure , taking a slow sip of wine . My father's eyes lit up at the prospect , clearly pleased with Primo's suggestion . Vincent stroked his chin thoughtfully . " A strategic match . The younger generation securing the future - I like it . " He raised his glass again . " The Big Five could use fresh blood . " My father reached across to clasp Primo's shoulder . " This could work wonderfully for all of us . " I felt Adrian's leg press against mine under the table . Yesha's smile had taken on a brittle quality . I gripped my wine glass tighter , knuckles white against the crystal stem . Adrian's voice cut through the tension like 80 % 19:06 4/9 Chapter 20 a blade . " Fascinating proposal . Though I believe the Mitchell family now already has strong ties to the Big Five through the Castellanos ' art dealings . " He took a measured sip of wine . " In fact , I recently brokered several pieces between your families that proved quite … illuminating . " Primo's confident smile faltered for a split second . " Art dealings ? " " Yes . Including that rather controversial Caravaggio that disappeared from Naples last spring . " Adrian's gray eyes met Primo's with calculated precision . " The one that somehow reappeared in your private collection after the insurance paid out . Quite the coincidence . " The color drained from Primo's face . That particular transaction had been kept strictly confidential knowledge of it could implicate multiple parties in insurance fraud . Vincent leaned forward , suddenly very interested . " I wasn't aware of any 30 % 19:06 5/9 Chapter 201 a blade . " Fascinating proposal . Though I believe the Mitchell family now already has strong ties to the Big Five through the Castellanos ' art dealings . " He took a measured sip of wine . " In fact , I recently brokered several pieces between your families that proved quite … illuminating . " Primo's confident smile faltered for a split second . " Art dealings ? " " Yes . Including that rather controversial Caravaggio that disappeared from Naples last spring . " Adrian's gray eyes met Primo's with calculated precision . " The one that somehow reappeared in your private collection after the insurance paid out . Quite the coincidence . " The color drained from Primo's face . That particular transaction had been kept strictly confidential - knowledge of it could implicate multiple parties in insurance . fraud . Vincent leaned forward , suddenly very interested . " I wasn't aware of any 80 % 19:06 5/9 Chapter 20 Caravaggio changing hands recently . " " An oversight , I'm sure , " Adrian said smoothly . " Though it does make one wonder what other business dealings might have slipped through the cracks . " I watched Primo's jaw clench as he realized his carefully orchestrated moment had been derailed . The implied threat in Adrian's words was clear - he knew far more than he should about the Chromos family's operations . Yesha's eyes darted between them , her practiced smile slipping as she recognized the shift in power at the table . My father cleared his throat , clearly sensing the undercurrent but unable to pinpoint its source . " Perhaps we should discuss the art market another time . " " Of course , " Adrian agreed pleasantly . " After all , we wouldn't want any hasty decisions about … partnerships being made without full transparency . " B0 % 19:06 6/9 Chapter 20 You genius , I thought , fighting back a smile as Primo's composure cracked . The man who always had an answer sat speechless , his knuckles white around his wine glass . " Something wrong , Primo ? " Adrian's tone remained light , pleasant even . " You seem troubled . " " Not at all . " Primo recovered quickly , but I caught the flash of uncertainty in his eyes . " Though I'm curious how an art dealer came across such … specific information . " " One hears things in my line of work . The art world is surprisingly small . " Vincent leaned in . " I'd love to hear more about this Caravaggio . The insurance company involved was- " " Perhaps another time , " my father cut in , clearly trying to salvage the situation . " We were discussing future arrangements- " " Yes , let's focus on that . " Yesha's smile was strained . " Primo's proposal is quite generous . " 80 % 19.06 7/9 Chapter 20 I couldn't help myself . " Is it ? Seems more like a business transaction than a proposal . " " Asteria , " my father warned . " No , she's right . " Adrian set down his glass . " Marriage should be about more than strategic alliances . Though I understand Mr. Chromos has experience in that area ." Primo's eyes narrowed . " Meaning ?" " The Foster family merger last spring ? The one that fell through rather … dramatically ? " My head snapped to Yesha , whose face had gone pale . That explained why she'd disappeared for three months last year . Her sister's marriage had failed such way , the same way mine would have if I hadn't found out about their betrayal . " You're remarkably well - informed for someone who deals primarily in paintings , Mr. Constantine . " Primo's voice carried an edge . 80 % 19:06 8/9 Chapter 20 " Information is its own kind of art , wouldn't you say ? " The exchange left me reeling . Who was Adrian really ? How did he know these carefully guarded secrets ? I'd thought I had him figured out , but now … " If you'll excuse me . " Yesha stood abruptly , her chair scraping against the floor . " I need some air . " Primo didn't even glance her way , his attention fixed on Adrian like a predator assessing a threat . 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