Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

“I can’t get down,” Luzia finally realized she couldn’t get out of the danger, waving her hands with branches, seeking help like a person under the tree.

Vivian glanced at Mare, unsure whether to be embarrassed or to sigh first, but in the end, she turned her back, keeping an eye out for any signs of people coming in and out of the apple orchard.

Luzia shot Vivian a grateful look and mischievously winked at Mare. Squatting on the branch, she spread her arms, gesturing for a hug.

With great restraint, Mare reached out and pulled Luzia down from the apple tree.

At the moment Luzia’s feet touched the ground, Mare, though reluctant, quickly let go of Luzia’s hand, stepping back and keeping a certain distance from her.

Luzia, displeased, took a step towards him, but quickly realized and redirected her steps toward Vivian.

No one else entered the apple orchard, and their secret remained undiscovered. Vivian, nervous, felt her heart pounding and her palms slightly sweaty.

“Are we going back?” Vivian held the heavy basket. “We should have enough apples.”

“I want to pick some cherries.” The cherry orchard was right nearby, conveniently on the way from the apple orchard.

So, Luzia took Vivian to the cherry orchard, while Mare took the apples back, handing them over to the maid at the villa for processing, making it convenient to make apple pie in the afternoon.

New guests arrived at the manor.

Giulia flew from Italy to Houston with her brother to celebrate Mrs. Yazmin’s birthday. She knew her father was working with Mrs. Yazmin’s father, Romano, with the intention of having her marry Romano’s grandson, Simpson.

Giulia had known Simpson since she was little, as he had lived in Italy for a long time.

Romano had intended to groom him as the heir of Rome. However, after Simpson’s mother passed away, Houston fell into turmoil, and Simpson, in order to help his brother Alajos, voluntarily gave up his status as an heir.

After returning to Houston, Giulia hadn’t seen Simpson for over four years.

“I have been looking forward to meeting you, as I heard your brother would bring you here,” Mrs. Yazmin personally made tea and placed it on the table in front of Giulia. “I’m truly sorry about yesterday. The children at home are not sensible and caused a little conflict. It didn’t frighten you, did it?”

“No,” Giulia said.

“You saw Simpson yesterday, didn’t you?” Mrs. Yazmin asked.

Mrs. Yazmin’s directness surprised Giulia, successfully diverting her thoughts to Simpson.

“Yes,” Giulia replied softly.

She lowered her head and drank her tea. Mrs. Yazmin failed to see her expression and thought she had been frightened by Simpson’s rudeness.

In her mind, Mrs. Yazmin blamed Simpson for being unreliable and explained on his behalf, “Yesterday’s incident can’t all be blamed on Simpson. Floren was the first to be disrespectful, and Simpson fought on behalf of his sister-in-law.”

“You know Simpson too. He is a true gentleman, always very friendly to girls.”

“Simpson’s sister-in-law?”

“Yes, her name is Vivian, Alajos’s wife,” Mrs. Yazmin said. “She is now in the apple orchard picking apples with Luzia. In the afternoon, we plan to make apple pie. “Mrs. Yazmin then invited Giulia to make apple pie together.

Giulia didn’t refuse, which made Mrs. Yazmin very happy. She called Simpson and asked him to come to the manor in the afternoon.

Simpson felt very distressed on the phone, but he couldn’t refuse his aunt’s request.

Alajos watched on the side, “Aunt is anxious for your marriage.”

Simpson hung up the phone, feeling powerless. “I really don’t want to get married.”

“Why?” Alajos asked, “Isn’t the marriage partner chosen by your aunt good?”

“No, I admit Giulia is a lovely girl,” Simpson said, spreading his hands, “but I don’t want to get married. I don’t lack women, but marriage would make me loyal to only one woman, robbing me of the freedom to choose.”

“Your wife can’t stop you from having mistresses,” Alajos said. “You can have many lovers.”

“Vivian also can’t stop you from having mistresses. Why is she the only woman for you now?” Simpson countered.

Alajos wasn’t very pleased. “Don’t compare Vivian with others; she is different.”

“Yes, a wife becomes a different presence from other women or mistresses; your heart will belong only to her.” Simpson stood up, looking down at Alajos sitting on the sofa from a higher position, his eyes filled withan inexplicable emotion, “She drives you all crazy.”

Inexplicably, Alajos thought of his father Kamden, who had gone mad after his mother’s death, and suddenly didn’t know how to argue with Simpson.

“Grandfather has been calling me,” Alajos’s voice lowered, “He wants me to persuade you to return to Italy, to Rome, and continue as his heir.”

Simpson ran his hand through his hair, sounding irritated, “Hasn’t he found a new heir? It’s been four years!”

“The new heir doesn’t meet his expectations. He’s a damn coward who betrayed his teammates in a shootout, lost the goods, and fled alone.” Betraying teammates and deserting the organization was a disgraceful act in any city, Alajos said with disgust, “Grandfather executed him, and Romano once again lost their heir.”

“So, Giulia’s fiance went from being a coward to me?” Simpson found it amusing.

“Giulia was not engaged to that coward. Guardi’s head of the family is a shrewd middle-aged man; Giulia is his only daughter, he wouldn’t easily hand her over.” Alajos conveyed the wishes of their grandfather in Italy, “But if you are willing to return to Italy, become Romano’s heir again, Guardi would be willing to hand his daughter to you, and the entire Guardi family would support you.”

“What do you think, Simpson? Would you consider it?” Alajos was not in a hurry to be honest.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Simpson also didn’t immediately fall into his brother’s trap, saying, “You tell me first.”

“If the conditions are indeed generous, I don’t mind considering it.”

“Romano’s elite forces and a one-fifth stake in the operation of the Port of Palermo.” Alajos said.

“Who owns the remaining four-fifths of the operation rights?”

“Two-fifths are in the hands of the Guardi family, and three-fifths are with our grandfather,” Alajos played with his MPT-12, “The one-fifth promised to me will be split from our grandfather’s share.”

As a result, the Guardi family and their grandfather would each have two-fifths of the control of the Port of Palermo, maintaining a delicate balance, with the real decision-maker being Alajos, who would control the one-fifth stake.

“It doesn’t feel quite right,” Simpson suddenly said after silently listening to all this.