Episode 9

Diego continued the conversation in a natural way, even starting to speak ill of Pietro in order to gain his trust.

"You're not happy with this marriage, are you? I don't think any girl would feel happy marrying him."

"But aren't you close to your brother? Hearing you talk like this, it seems like you don't like him," she found it strange.

"We maintain necessary appearances, but I don't agree and I don't support much of what he does, especially this idea of marrying you."

Things were going well, but Pietro wanted his brother to move faster, or Augusto could start to notice her absence and begin searching for her, ruining everything. His brother had even managed to make her confess that she didn't really want that marriage.

"I don't want to marry your brother, but I have no choice. I didn't even know that my fate was already determined," she said with regret.

"If I could, I would stop this marriage," he approached her, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "He doesn't deserve to marry you. My brother wouldn't be able to make you happy, like... I could," he tried to appear nervous at the end.

Diego spoke those words, which were not untrue. He leaned his face towards hers, achieving what he wanted, a kiss from Alice. She didn't resist, on the contrary, she returned the kiss, and that was the moment Pietro was waiting for.

Pietro emerged from where he had been hiding and approached them unnoticed. As soon as he was close enough, he made his presence known.

"Can I know what the hell is going on here?" he asked in an angry tone.

Alice was startled and stood up from where she was sitting, taking two steps back. She was visibly afraid of him.

"I asked what is happening here, Alice?"

"She didn't do anything. I kissed her. If someone has to do something, do it to me," Diego stood in front of her, defending her from his brother.

Diego spoke seriously, and Pietro noticed that she was holding onto his brother’s clothes. It was clear that she was scared and frightened. He didn't want to leave her like that, but he needed to act according to his plan. Pietro took a few steps forward, and Alice hid behind Diego.

"You think that just because you're my brother, you can go around touching what is mine, Diego? You know damn well that Alice is going to marry me, and you come out here to kiss her? What the hell is wrong with you? What if our father had seen this?" he asked those questions while she was still behind his brother.

"She doesn't want to marry you, and besides, you wouldn't be a good husband for her," he spoke with all sincerity in his voice.

Pietro knew that part was true and had to agree with him. He would never be a good husband for her. He wouldn't have the heart to hurt her, but he could never make her happy.

"I don't care if she wants to marry me or not. That's already been decided. Alice, come here, let's go inside."

Pietro called her with an authoritative voice, causing her to move slightly away from behind his brother. She was still scared and had a teary face.

"What are you going to do? Are you going to hurt me?" she asked, still trembling.

"No, if I do that, I'll have to explain what I saw here, and that could harm this idiot in front of you," he explained, trying to convince her.

Alice looked at Diego, as if seeking confirmation that he wouldn't hurt her.

"I won't let you hurt her, Pietro," he played the role of the hero, protecting the damsel in distress.

"I already said I won't touch her, but I should punch your face, you idiot," he threatened.

Pietro noticed that for a brief moment, she seemed concerned for his brother. It seemed like they had made progress. The goal was for her to be moved by Diego's actions, thus capturing her attention. Diego turned to her and held her shoulder, trying to convey reassurance.

"You can go, I'll be right behind you. I won't let him do anything to you," he gave her a reassuring smile.

Alice took a deep breath and stared at Pietro, who reached out his hand to her. Despite her hesitation, she slowly walked towards him. As he held her hand, she felt how much she was trembling, clearly afraid of him.

He placed her hand on his arm and they began to head back inside. Alice glanced a few more times to make sure that Diego was indeed following, but she remained nervous nonetheless. Upon entering through the side door, Pietro noticed Augusto approaching them. After he questioned Alice about her disappearance, she looked at Pietro before responding, and with that look, he already knew that she wouldn't say anything.

Diego passed by him, playing his part. Augusto took his sister away from him but still had an expression of anger on his face. In a way, he found it charming when Augusto made that scowling expression, almost like a feisty kitten.

Pietro saw that Augusto had started to follow Alice everywhere. Every now and then, he would receive skeptical looks from him, knowing that he was suspicious that something had happened. Pietro spotted his father walking through the party and decided to put his other plan into action.

The reason he had invited all those vultures to the party was that he needed his father to transfer the leadership to him that night, so he could protect Augusto and his sister. He went after his father and called him to the office, wanting to do it before everyone decided to leave.

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