The Don’s Fake Poverty Chapter 07

The Don’s Fake Poverty Chapter 07

Aria’s POV

After saying that, I turned around without looking back.

“Stop her!”

Killian’s heart-wrenching roar echoed behind me.

His voice was full of completely unhinged madness and obsession.

The sharp, synchronized clicks of guns being cocked blasted through the wide hallway.

A dozen armed guards in black suits poured out of the shadows, blocking my way completely.

This was him. The mafia Don who ruled the New York underworld.

If he couldn’t have it, he’d take it by force.

I stopped and slowly turned around.

Killian had stumbled out of that moldy fake apartment.

His eyes were blood-red. He glared at me like a rabid beast.

“Aria, I can’t let you go.” He panted, his voice hoarse and desperate. “It’s too dangerous outside. You’re only safe with me! I’ll turn this entire estate into your personal castle. I’ll give you my life!”

“Give me your life?” I stared at him and laughed coldly.

I reached up and, with extreme, slow arrogance, tucked a curl behind my ear.

“Killian, do you think I’m still that poor woman from three years ago? The one you could control, the one your guards shoved into the snow with their rifles?”

I raised my left wrist and glanced at my diamond-studded luxury watch.

“It is now 3:40 PM.”

I looked up, my gaze stabbing right into his eyes.

“I am the lead designer for Arthur Industries, the biggest name on the West Coast. You’re a CEO, Killian.

You know exactly what that name means.”

Killian’s pupils shrank. A crack appeared in his mad facade.

“Right outside the gates of your estate, there are three satellite broadcast trucks. My elite legal team and dozens of top US media outlets are waiting for me.”

I walked toward him, step by step.

“I have a five-minute timer running. If I don’t walk out of that gate, safe and sound…”

I stopped half a meter away from him. In the calmest voice possible, I read his death sentence.

“My lawyers will release a file to every major news network documenting my kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. And Arthur Industries will leverage every ounce of its political power to bring the full

weight of the FBI and Interpol down on the Five Families. Your world will be ashes by sunrise!”

The hallway went dead silent.

Even the armed guards couldn’t help but gasp.

“Do you dare touch me, Killian?”

He clenched his jaw, his whole body violently shaking.

He finally understood. The Aria who only had eyes for him died in that blizzard three years ago.

The arrogant mafia Don looked like his spine was ripped out. He collapsed onto the hallway floor.

“Put the guns down…” He covered his face in agony, his voice weak. “Let her go.”

The guards let out breaths of relief. They immediately stepped aside, clearing a wide path.

I didn’t spare another glance at the man slumped on the floor.

I pushed the front doors open. I walked into the bright sunlight, never looking back.

That night. A luxury penthouse suite in Manhattan.

The laptop on my desk rang with a video call request.

I hit accept. My mentor, Mr. Arthur, appeared on screen with a kind smile.

“Aria, my dear. I saw the news out of New York.” The old man adjusted his glasses, a knowing glint in his

eye. “Have you finally dealt with your ghosts?”

“Spotless, Mr. Arthur,” I replied with a smile. “No one will ever get in the way of my designs again.”

“Wonderful.” Mr. Arthur nodded in satisfaction before turning serious. “I just received a top-tier heritage jewelry project. A batch of antique crowns from European royalty needs redesign and restoration. It’s a highly confidential, global project. Only your hands and vision can handle it. Will you take it?”

“Of course.” I didn’t hesitate. “I’ll fly back to LA first thing tomorrow morning.”