Isabella woke up early and slowly got out of bed.
Her entire body ached.
She had barely slept because Fiona had made her finish several tasks the previous night.
She walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Fiona entered a few minutes later.
"Isabella."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"Someone is coming today."
"Who?"
"Bianca Hart."
Isabella frowned.
"Who is she?"
Fiona smiled.
"The woman who will become Lady Moretti."
Isabella's hands stopped moving.
"Dante's fiancée?"
"Not officially yet. But everyone knows they're expected to get married."
Fiona watched Isabella's reaction carefully.
She wanted to see whether the news would hurt her.
Isabella quickly looked down.
"Oh."
Fiona raised an eyebrow.
"That's all?"
"Why should I say anything?"
Fiona smiled.
"Good. Remember your position."
Isabella returned to preparing breakfast.
But the news stayed in her mind longer than she expected.
*Dante is going to marry someone.*
She shook her head.
*Why should I care? He's not my husband.*
At around ten in the morning, a luxury car arrived at the mansion.
Bianca Hart stepped out wearing an elegant short pink dress and matching heels.
Her long blonde hair fell perfectly over her shoulders.
She walked into the mansion as if she already owned it.
"Where is Dante?"
Fiona approached her.
"Good morning, Miss Hart. The Boss is away on business. He'll return this evening."
Bianca frowned.
"When?"
"This evening, as far as I know."
Bianca smiled.
"Then I'll wait."
Her eyes moved towards Isabella, who was carrying a tray.
"Who's that?"
Fiona answered immediately.
"That's Isabella Romano. She's the Boss's new personal maid."
Bianca looked Isabella up and down.
"A maid?"
Isabella lowered her eyes.
"Good morning, Miss Hart."
Bianca ignored her.
"Bring me tea."
Bianca was sitting in his mansion's living room when she picked up her phone and called her brother.
"Hello, I need you to do something for me," she said as soon as he answered.
"What is it, Bianca?"
"I want you to find out everything about Isabella Romano. She's Dante's personal maid. Her background, family, and how she became part of his life. I want every little detail."
"Why are you suddenly interested in his maid?"
"Just do what I'm asking."
After a brief pause, Bianca continued.
"Also, Dante is coming to his new mansion this evening. I'll send you the address. Come here and meet us."
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing. I just want you to talk to him about the wedding. Somehow, get him to announce the wedding date. We've waited long enough."
"Alright. I'll try."
"Don't just try. Make sure you bring it up."
Bianca ended the call and immediately forwarded Dante's new mansion address to her brother.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She had no intention of letting the wedding plans fade away.
After some while, Isabella placed the tray on the table.
Bianca picked up the cup and took a sip.
Then her eyes moved towards Isabella again.
"How long have you been working here?"
"A few days, Miss."
"A few days?"
Bianca looked at Fiona.
"And she's already staying in Dante's bedroom?"
Fiona nodded.
“Yes. The Boss let her stay there."
Bianca's smile disappeared.
"Interesting."
She placed the cup down.
"Does she have any other responsibilities?"
Fiona gave a small smile.
"She’s quite close to the Boss."
Bianca's fingers tightened around the cup.
She had expected to be the only woman receiving Dante's attention.
Now she was hearing about a new maid who had access to his private bedroom.
Her jealousy grew.
"Leave us," Bianca ordered Fiona.
Fiona stepped away but remained close enough to hear their conversation.
Bianca turned towards Isabella.
"Look at me."
Isabella slowly raised her eyes.
"Do you think you're special?"
"No, Miss."
"Then why are you behaving as if you own this place?"
"I'm only doing the work I've been given."
Bianca laughed.
"Don't act innocent. I know exactly what girls like you do."
Isabella frowned.
"I don't understand."
Bianca stepped closer.
"Stay away from Dante."
Isabela looked at her in disbelief.
"I'm not doing anything."
"Don't lie to me!"
Bianca suddenly tilted the cup.
The hot tea spilled over Isabella's hand.
Isabella gasped.
The cup fell from Bianca's fingers and shattered on the floor.
"Careless woman!" Bianca shouted.
Isabella stared at her.
"You spilled it!"
Bianca's eyes widened.
"How dare you speak to me like that?"
She slapped Isabella.
The sound echoed through the room.
Isabella's face turned to the side.
For a moment, she stood still.
Then she slowly turned back.
"You shouldn't have done that."
Bianca laughed.
"Or what?"
Isabella slapped her back.
Bianca stumbled.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"You!"
She grabbed her by the hair, dragged her against the wall, and slammed her head so hard that blood immediately started to flow.
Isabella cried out.
Bianca dragged her towards the entrance.
"How dare a maid raise her hand against me?"
"Let go of me!"
Fiona watched from a distance.
A part of her was satisfied to see Isabella being punished.
But another part was nervous.
If Dante found out, he might blame her for allowing Bianca to hurt Isabella.
Still, she didn't intervene.
Bianca tightened her grip on Isabella's hair.
"You thought you could steal my place?"
"I didn't steal anything!"
Bianca pushed her.
Isabella lost her balance.
She stumbled backwards, her body falling towards the hard floor.
But before she could hit the ground, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
The world seemed to stop.
Isabella felt herself being pulled against a familiar chest.
She slowly lifted her head.
Dark eyes.
A sharp jaw.
A cold expression.
Dante Moretti.
She stared at him.
Her bloody lips trembled as she tried to speak.
"Dante..."