I rise to my feet, gut clenching. This definitely isn't good.
"Let him through," I instruct, ending the call. I turn to Vittoria. "Go to Carina," I tell her, referring to our housekeeper. "Let her take Matteo, then come back. Be quick."
Her face goes pale, but she nods and does as I say. The second she's out of the room, I call for Lorenzo.
"What's going on?" he questions the moment he enters.
I quickly fill him in on Andrea's call just as Vittoria returns to my side.
Ronan enters looking beyond pissed. "I apologize for the intrusion, Cesare, but this couldn't wait."
"What's happened, Ronan?" I ask, voice tense.
Ronan's face is thunderous as he speaks. "It seems my Daire is pregnant."
The room falls silent as we all absorb this news. I turn to Lorenzo and see fury building in his eyes.
"Pregnant?" I repeat, voice dangerously low as I turn to face my son. "Lorenzo, is this true?"
He turns to face me, and I already know his answer before he speaks. "It is not mine," he grunts. "I haven't seen Daire in months."
I turn to the man I considered a friend. "Ronan?"
"It would seem my daughter and Rurik have been seeing each other."
The tension in the room is thick as Ronan's words sink in. I can feel anger radiating off Lorenzo in waves.
"How long?" I ask Ronan, voice deceptively calm.
Ronan's jaw clenches. "From what I've gathered, it's been going on for over a year. Since before the engagement was even announced."
I hear Lorenzo's sharp intake of breath beside me. This betrayal runs fucking deep.
"And what do you propose we do about this situation, Ronan?" I ask, my mind already racing through potential fallout.
Ronan meets my gaze steadily. "I believe the only honorable course is to dissolve the engagement between Lorenzo and Daire. And to arrange a new union between Daire and Rurik."
I nod slowly, considering his words. It's the logical solution, but I know it'll have far-reaching consequences for our alliances.
"And what of the agreement between our families?"
Ronan sighs heavily. "I propose we shift the arrangement. My younger daughter, Quinn, is of marriageable age now. Perhaps she could be a suitable match for Lorenzo?"
I turn to look at my son, gauging his reaction. Lorenzo's face is a mask of controlled rage.
"Lorenzo?" I prompt gently.
He takes a deep breath before speaking. "If that's what's best for the family and the Syndicate, I'll agree to it."
I feel surge of pride at my son's composure in the face of such personal betrayal. He truly is becoming the man I've raised him to be.
"Very well," I say, turning back to Ronan. "We'll need to discuss details of this new arrangement, as well as how we'll handle the public announcement of the change."
Ronan nods. "Of course. I suggest we meet tomorrow with the other families to sort everything out. We need to present a united front."
"Agreed," I reply. "We'll host the meeting here. Ten sharp." With Vittoria pregnant, I don't want to be too far from her.
As Ronan turns to leave, I call out, "And Ronan? I trust you'll be dealing with your daughter and Rurik appropriately?"
