After Tony Scaletta of the Albano family also lent his support to the Demer All-Time News Service…

 

Liliana, Theodoro, and Vincent held a mid-term review meeting.

 

The meeting, which began with a status report, proceeded smoothly overall. While there had been some minor friction with Inter Press, no major variables had occurred.

 

Thanks to this, the meeting moved seamlessly to the next agenda item… it seemed everything was going well.

 

Vincent, who had also been working to establish Demer All-Time, had recently met with the boss of the Bucio family.

 

They had expected him to bring back information about the presidential assassination plot, but that expectation was immediately dashed. 

 

Vincent said he had been completely unable to uncover any of the plot’s secret details.

 

Liliana, who had been listening quietly, muttered with a serious expression.

 

“So, in conclusion, it’s difficult to even gauge the probability of the assassination plot’s success… is that what you’re saying?”

 

“That’s right. And it doesn’t seem like waiting longer will get us any more detailed 

information.”

According to the Bucio family, the operation is being overseen by Alan Goldberg, the syndicate’s financial advisor and operational strategist.

 

The problem is that no one except him knows the entire process of the operation. Even those participating in the operation are only told the role assigned to them.

 

‘I thought they would be careful about maintaining secrecy, but I never imagined security would be this thorough.’

 

Their momentum was completely broken. If this is the case, then the defense business acquisition must be off the table.

 

“Then… what happens to the defense company acquisition?”

 

Her voice was already deflated, as she knew what the answer would be.

 

So when the answer came, Liliana’s head snapped up in surprise, both at the unexpectedly positive response and the fact that it was Theodoro who said it.

 

“Let’s proceed with it. If Alan Goldberg is leading the charge, it will succeed. Has that thorough man ever led an operation that failed, even once?”

 

“…!”

 

Whenever something was proposed, they would first find fault with it. 

 

Could she have possibly hoped that he would lend strength to her intentions?  

 

More than joy, bewilderment came first. Liliana stared blankly at Theodoro, but he was just sitting there with his usual insincere attitude, no different from always.  

 

‘What? Why all of a sudden…’  

 

How could she understand? 

 

At any rate, it was the moment when her heart began to race slowly, thinking that the ambitious plan she had boldly brought up might finally see the light.  

 

“I think we need to consider this issue a bit more.”  

 

“…”  

 

Of course.  

 

There was no way Vincent, who was second to none in being rational and calculating, would take such a risk. 

 

Given that the other party was Theodoro, he was just being indirect, but his opposition was clear.  

 

“I trust Allen Goldberg, but the probability of this venture succeeding is slim. Shouldn’t we consider the losses we would bear if it fails?”  

 

It would be useless to tell them a hundred times that it wouldn’t fail, that if things just continued like this, it would succeed without any problems.  

 

She couldn’t tell them she knew because she had lived until 1970—what basis would they have to believe her?  

 

In the end, the discussion had to end inconclusively.  

 

If Theodoro pushed for it, they could have proceeded, but he couldn’t easily dismiss the consigliere’s opinion. Reluctantly, he had to postpone the decision, agreeing to do so.  

 

Perhaps intending to lighten the mood after such heavy discussions, Vincent shifted the topic with a lighter tone.  

 

“Let’s focus on the party for now. Isn’t it less than a week away?”  

 

“The party…?”  

 

Liliana couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the sudden news and echoed back.  

 

A party? What…  

 

As she scrambled through her memories, wondering if she had heard anything about it, her face instantly turned pale.  

 

“Ahh…!”  

 

Paul’s promise flashed through her mind.

 

‘By the way, you should keep your schedule clear on the 26th, the day after Christmas. We have a party planned for the investors in our news service. You just need to attend, Miss Moretti, so there’s no need to feel pressured.’

 

It was something she had casually heard while rushing around, and she had completely forgotten about it afterwards.  

 

Of all the things to forget, why did it have to be that? Liliana felt like hitting herself on the head.

 

Theodoro, who had been looking at her with utter disdain, clicked his tongue in reproach.  

 

“Where is your head at? Almost all the Demercy capos are expected to be there. It’s not an event to take lightly.”

 

“Huh?!”  

 

This was completely news to her. The bosses of the five major Demercy mafia families were invited?

 

“Um, this is the first I’m hearing of it…”  

 

If she had known that fact, she would never have forgotten about the investor party. 

 

Of course, even if she had remembered, it wouldn’t have changed much, but at least she wouldn’t have felt like she’d been struck by lightning out of a clear blue sky.

 

And it seemed Theodoro was in a bind too… 

 

A vein bulged on his forehead as he spoke to her in an irritated voice.  

 

“Didn’t Paul tell you?”

 

“No, he didn’t mention anything like that…”  

 

“Ugh, that guy has no more sense than you do.”

 

“…Please leave me out of that. Mr. Paul didn’t say a single word about it being such an important party…”  

 

‘Oops.’ The moment his furious gaze landed on her, Liliana shut her mouth.

 

“Be quiet.”  

 

“…Yes.”

 

Somehow, he had said he’d take her side to get the defense project moving. 

 

What side?  

 

She knew perfectly well that they just happened to get along well by chance, and that speaking like that was the most Theodoro-like thing to do.

 

‘Who is he to say someone has no sense? He’s the one with the terrible temper…’  

 

A chill began to flow between the two.

 

This isn’t a matter of just a day or two. 

 

Perhaps because being stuck between those two was finally testing the limits of his patience, Vincent stepped in to mediate with a forced smile.

 

“It’s fine if we start preparing now, what’s the problem? Miss Moretti, do you have an evening dress to wear to the party?”

 

“Ah, well… It’s my first time at such an event. I’m not really sure what I should wear…”

 

“Maybe this is a good chance for you two to visit the dress shop together. Theo, you need to get your tuxedo fitted as well.”

 

At those words, Theodoro’s face scrunched up as if he’d bitten into something sour.

 

“What dress shop… I’ll just wear a suit I already have—”

 

“Go. You don’t plan on attending the party in those old, shabby clothes you always wear, do you?”

 

Her dresses weren’t exactly shabby… Liliana struggled to swallow the words rising in her throat. She could tell this wasn’t the situation to be making retorts.

 

And then, in a gentle tone that completely contradicted his stern eyes, Vincent issued an order that was anything but gentle.

 

“Don’t tarnish the Benedetti name. Go get yourselves some proper outfits.”

 

💫

 

And that was precisely how these two, who had never gone out together for non-work reasons, ended up side-by-side at the dress shop in an unusual turn of events.

 

“Honey. This one looks like it would suit you well.”

 

“Who are you calling your—”

 

“Ah, never mind. That one over there would be better.”

 

Then why was Silvano tagging along?

 

“What’s this, you two are going to get clothes? Lily, honestly, do you think that guy will be any help at all in choosing a dress?”

 

“…Silvano Giacone.”

 

Theodoro, who could foresee the outing becoming noisy and hectic the moment Silvano joined, tried to flat-out refuse.

 

“If you’re going to say you’re coming along, then keep your mouth shut once we get ther—”

 

“Yep. That’s exactly what I’m saying. I’m coming along.”

 

Of course, that attempt was immediately in vain. 

 

Silvano grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

 

“Why? Don’t want your cozy date interrupted?”

 

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

 

“Well, I don’t have to go… The two of you will do a great job picking out clothes. One of you has never attended such a party, and the other has absolutely no interest in women’s clothing.”

 

“…”

 

“Our poor Liliana will go to the party alone in an eye-catching dress and stand there awkwardly. With an escort like that.”

 

And so, Silvano also ended up joining their outing.

 

Probably the man with the most complicated relationships with women among Theodoro’s acquaintances, Silvano Giacone. 

 

Considering the number of women’s clothes he had undoubtedly taken off, which must easily number in the hundreds, even Theodoro seemed to readily acknowledge that his promiscuity would be helpful this time.

 

And that esteemed Silvano was applying himself to the task of choosing a party dress with an attitude more serious than Liliana’s.

 

“Ah, this is it!”

 

He, who had been scanning the dresses with hawk-like eyes, suddenly let out a cry of excitement. He then hurried over and thrust a wine-colored dress in front of Liliana.

 

It was a halterneck dress similar in shape to Marilyn Monroe’s famous white dress. 

 

The differences were that it was made of a glossy, shiny silk, had a large ribbon-like knot decoration on the left hip, and overall gave off a more subdued feeling than Monroe’s dress.

 

However, the two people looking at the outfit he had painstakingly chosen wore distinctly unenthusiastic expressions.

 

“…You call that a dress?”

 

Theodoro threw out a single sarcastic remark before turning his head away, and Liliana frowned as she held up the dress.

 

“There’s nothing covering the back at all? The chest is cut very low too… It’s a bit too revealing…”

 

“You both know nothing.”

 

Silvano held the dress up to her body and began passionately explaining. Her delicate shoulder line and scapulae are Liliana’s best features, and this design maximizes them. 

 

Yes, the neckline is low, but doesn’t the decoration on the hip distract from the gaze? 

 

When her slender calves occasionally peek out from beneath the swaying hem, how utterly captivating would that be….

While this torrent of words poured out without a break, Liliana couldn’t gather her thoughts.

Putting aside for a moment how listening to him was strangely persuasive… She frowned and waved her hands dismissively.

“Wait, hold on a second.”

“Hmm?”

“When did you ever look at my body so intently?”

“Ah, you didn’t know? I’ve always been very interested in you.”

Liliana was left speechless by his mischievous, grinning eyes. 

 

Just what kind of life had he lived for lines like that to flow out so automatically?

As she opened her mouth in an exasperated expression, a triumphant smile played on Silvano’s lips. Then, as if seeking final approval, he turned to look at Theodoro…

“So, with this one… Ah, fuck!”

The instant he spotted the tall man standing right behind him, he blurted out the curse in shock. 

 

But even Silvano must have known this wasn’t the time for glaring and using crude language. The man looking down at him had a face so despicable it could make your hair stand on end.

“Move it.”

“What?”

“I said move it. That half-made scrap of fabric.”