They Chose My Sister and Lost Me Chapter 05

They Chose My Sister and Lost Me Chapter 05

My parents were still at the banquet with Beth, drinking with the Family elders.

They bragged to everyone about the businesses Beth was taking over and her plans going forward, making sure to ask each person to lend a hand.

The elders were delighted with Beth. “That girl has intelligence written all over her. The Family’s future will be in your hands.”

My brother stood beside them, beaming with pride.

“Now I’ve got a capable partner. Together we’ll take the Family’s business worldwide.”

“If Beth ends up inheriting Father’s position someday, I’d be happy to serve as her right hand. Whatever makes Beth happy.”

Everyone was still basking in the moment when a man in a razor–sharp suit strode into the banquet hall, his expression grim. Several guests recognized him at once.

He was the underboss of Cagliari’s Cassano Family, the syndicate our clan had once approached for a partnership only to be dismissed as too small–time.

The Cassano operation spanned the globe. Every Family in the business depended on them.

The moment Father recognized him, he practically folded himself in half with deference. Raising his glass, he hurried over. “My daughter Beth has just taken over the port business in Cagliari.”

“Thank you for making the trip to congratulate us in person.”

The underboss scanned the room. “Which one of you is Adele Ricci?”

Mother stepped forward with a smile. “Our daughter is right here. Her name isn’t Adele, it’s Beth.”

Beth approached politely with a glass in hand. She was about to speak.

The underboss cut her off. “I’m not looking for her. I’m here for Adele Ricci. The Don has heard about her achievements and the awards she won overseas.”

“He wants her to join the Cassano Family and take charge of our arms operation.”

“If you know where she is, contact me immediately. Anyone who helps me find her will be rewarded generously.”

The room erupted in shocked murmurs. Even my parents were speechless.

The elder who had just been praising Beth asked, “You mean Beth’s sister, Adele? She’s the only Adele I know.”

“Recruited by the Cassano Family? What kind of talent does that take?”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. My brother’s hand shook so badly he nearly dropped his glass.

“It can’t be the Adele from our Family. Her grades have always been rock bottom. She can’t even keep up with Beth. Must be someone else with the same name.”

Father stepped forward uncertainly. “Are you sure you mean Adele Ricci? Could it be a mix–up?”

“A daughter of the Ricci Family.” The underboss pulled up a photograph of me accepting an award. “She has won eleven major honors. She’s a rare talent, and the Don sent me here personally to invite her.”

The room fell dead silent as everyone crowded around the phone.

Mother snatched the phone from his hand, unable to believe her eyes. When she saw the photo clearly, she nearly fainted.

My brother’s eyes went wide. “That’s impossible!”

Father couldn’t believe it either, but the person in the photo was unmistakably me, holding a gleaming trophy high above my head.

He could hardly reconcile that image with the Adele he thought he knew, the daughter who could never measure up to Beth.

And now the Cassano Family had come specifically to recruit me for its most sensitive operation. Meanwhile, Beth, Father’s pride and joy, had been expelled and needed the Family to prop her up just to save face.

Mere minutes ago, at this very event, they had dragged me out.