"To you. As part of the Lombardo-Monti alliance. It legitimizes your marriage to Paola, shows the families the alliance has real value, gives you leverage to negotiate with Viktor."
My mind worked through the implications immediately.
Giovanni's empire: shipping operations, real estate holdings, political connections, legitimate businesses worth hundreds of millions. Combined with the Monti operations, it would make me the most powerful Don on the East Coast.
"What's the catch?" Paola asked, voicing what I was thinking.
Giovanni looked at his daughter. "The catch is you forgive me publicly. You tell the families that I was aware of the substitution, that it was a joint decision between myself and Cesare, that you supported it."
There it was. The price.
"You want me to lie for you," Paola said flatly. "Again."
"I want you to be smart. This benefits everyone. Cesare gets my empire. You get legitimacy. I get to retire with dignity instead of disgrace."
“You mean they won’t bother looking for whatever Viktor’s found. They won’t find out how you’ve twisted things to getahead,” I growled. Giovanni acknowledged the truth with a glance.
"And Bianca?" Paola pressed. "What about her?"
"Bianca made her choices. She's no longer my concern."
The coldness was breathtaking. Giovanni was abandoning both daughters in different ways.
I stepped in. "And what guarantees do we have that you'll actually transfer everything? That this isn't another manipulation?"
"My lawyers are already drawing up the documents. Everything legal, binding, irrevocable. You'll have full control by end of business today."
"Why now? Why so suddenly?"
Giovanni's mask slipped for just a moment—I saw fear underneath. "Viktor approached me three weeks ago. Before the wedding. He offered to buy me out, take over my operations. I refused. Now he's threatening to expose certain... indiscretions. Financial irregularities that could land me in prison."
"Viktor is forcing you out," I realized. "And you're trying to salvage something from the wreckage."
"Call it what you want. The offer stands. My empire for your public support. Take it or leave it."
I looked at Paola—seeing the hurt, the anger, the exhaustion, the calculation. This was her choice to make. Her father. Her forgiveness or condemnation. Her lie to tell.
"What do you want to do?" I asked quietly, giving her the power.
Paola stared at Giovanni for a long moment. The man who had ignored her for twenty-six years. Who had forced her into a wedding dress. Who had denied her publicly to save himself.
When she spoke, her voice was steady. "I'll make the statement. I'll lie for you one last time. I'll tell the families thesubstitution was planned, that you and Cesare agreed to it, that I supported the decision."
Giovanni's shoulders relaxed slightly. Relief.
But Paola wasn't done. "But after this, we're done. No more contact. No more manipulation. No more pretending we're a family. You're dead to me. Do you understand?"
The old man nodded, businesslike. Didn't even flinch at being disowned by his daughter. "Acceptable. I'll have my lawyers draw up the transfer documents. Everything will be finalized by end today."
"And in return," I added, "you publicly support the marriage. You tell the families the substitution was strategic. You take full responsibility for your part in planning it. You make Paola look like she was following family orders, not conspiring."
"Agreed."
"Wait." Paola held up a hand. "At the anniversary celebration, Viktor had you on speakerphone. You denied knowing about the substitution. You said Bianca acted alone. Everyone heard it."
Giovanni didn't even have the grace to look ashamed. "Yes. I lied to protect myself in the moment. Viktor ambushed me with that call. I panicked."
"So now you're going to tell everyone you lied then, but you're telling the truth now?" I asked. "Why would they believe you?"
