Chapter 184: The Reckoning
In the end, Carlotta agreed. What else could she do?
If she didn't go along with his wishes, he would just use it as an excuse to go fooling around with other women. Carlotta would never allow that to happen!
Sure, Ray's past might still hold many mysteries, but until that past caught up with him, he was her Cat's Eye, and hers alone.
Though Carlotta was the Second Miss of the Montelli family, educated and refined, agreeing to his so-called "perverted" requests still required a great deal of courage.
"Really?" Ray frowned, not quite believing it.
After all, Carlotta had never agreed to those requests before. She always said they were perverted and refused.
Were they really perverted? How could they be? They were just… well, a little fun between lovers to spice things up.
If it were Phoebe, well, maybe she wouldn't agree at first either. But that was fine. Phoebe was innocent and trusted him completely. With a little guidance, she'd open up.
As for Cantarella? She was on a whole other level.
"Of course it's real." Carlotta's fingertips unconsciously twirled a strand of hair as she turned her head away, mumbling. "I said I would, so I won't go back on my word. But not now!"
She turned back, her expression growing serious. "According to my intelligence, my uncle is probably preparing to meet with the Order of the Deep right now. We have to stop him before he hands over the family's hard work to the Order of the Deep."
Ray nodded in agreement.
Sure, he had certain… inclinations toward women. But when it came to important matters, he was perfectly clear-headed. This was the most urgent priority. As for what the Second Miss had agreed to…
No rush. They had plenty of time together ahead. He could take his time then.
"Then let's not waste any time. We'll leave immediately."
…
…
Late at night, a torrential downpour fell from the sky.
It was less than half an hour until midnight.
Capollo stood alone before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the rain-blurred cityscape. Rain cascaded down the glass like a waterfall, blurring the distant lights into soft halos.
If all went according to plan, in half an hour he would present the Order of the Deep with a token of the Montelli family's sincerity, enough to prove their loyalty.
In Ragunna, the Order had always held the highest authority over terminals. Though the Montelli family's private terminals had significantly shaken the Order's monopoly, a delicate balance was maintained through the family's massive tax payments.
But this peace was only temporary.
Capollo knew the darkness of the Order well. Going against such a giant would only lead to ruin. Especially with the Fisalia family waiting in the wings, sharpening their knives.
Even if the Montelli family was at its peak, they could never withstand pressure from both the Order and the Fisalia family, maybe they could barely hold on, but the cost would be devastating.
Capollo understood this better than anyone. Because he had lived through that rainy night, the one no Montelli could ever forget.
Just sacrifice a few core components and protect the family's prosperity, wasn't that a good deal?
Knock knock knock—
The measured sound of knocking came from the door, unusually clear against the rain.
Capollo set his cigar on the edge of the ashtray and answered in a deep voice without turning around. "Come in."
After a brief silence, the wooden door was pushed open without a sound. Crisp footsteps echoed through the study, each step unhurried and deliberate.
"The Order representative should have arrived by now—" Capollo said as he turned, but the moment he recognized the face before him, he froze, his pupils contracting in shock. "Carlotta? Why are you here? Shouldn't you be—"
"The shadows of the past cannot trap a heart set on moving forward." Carlotta let out a cold snort. "Uncle, not everyone is like you, choosing to sink into despair after a single setback."
"Despair?" The corner of Capollo's eye twitched violently. His jaw clenched, his voice almost grinding through his teeth. "You don't understand anything, Carlotta. Everything I've done is for the family, to prevent more bloodshed!"
Carlotta took a step forward, her voice resolute. "That's nothing but a coward's excuse. You've betrayed your original ideals, betrayed Grandfather's trust, and betrayed the entire Montelli family to the point of harming your own kin, slaughtering your own people. Unforgivable!"
"Uncle, I have always respected you. But I will never tolerate you conspiring with outsiders to betray our family, that is my final line, and I will not let you cross it."
As her words faded, Carlotta slowly raised the gun in her hand. It wasn't the weapon she had formed with her Resonance ability, but the pistol that symbolized the highest authority of the Montelli family.
Capollo's gaze locked onto the gun, his body frozen as if struck by lightning. But soon a crazed fire ignited in his eyes, and his voice trembled with rage. "That gun… why is it in your hands?! You've been coveting my position all along!"
Carlotta shook her head gently, a hint of pity in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Uncle. I never wanted your position, nor did I ever wish to wield this gun. If you had shown the bearing and responsibility worthy of the family head, it would have belonged to you. But your choices… made this gun give up on you."
"Arrogant!" Capollo roared, veins bulging on his temples. "Guards! Seize her!"
But only dead silence answered him.
Until Ray dragged two unconscious guards into the study and casually dumped them on the carpet. He dusted off his hands, walked calmly to stand beside Carlotta, and curled his lips in a lazy smile.
"Save your breath. Your men… are all fast asleep."
"You—!"
Capollo felt blood rush to his head, his eyes instantly bloodshot. He yanked open his desk drawer, pulled out a pistol, and aimed its trembling black muzzle at Carlotta and Ray.
Just then, the sound of synchronized footsteps came from outside the study. The door was pushed open again, and a tall figure, flanked by several guards, stepped into the room and stood firmly between the two sides.
"The farce is over, Capollo."
"F-Father…" Capollo's face turned deathly pale, his gun hand involuntarily dropping to his side.
"I know everything you've done." Francesco's gaze held deep sorrow. "It seems you've long forgotten every word I ever taught you."
The old man stared silently at his son's pale face as the rain pattered outside the window. After a long moment, he waved his hand heavily.
"Take Capollo away. Deal with him according to family law!"
"Yes, sir!"
As the guards responded in unison, Capollo collapsed into his armchair like a puppet whose strings had been cut. He looked up at the ornate ceiling, his eyes hollow, and did not speak another word.
Francesco slowly turned, his gaze falling warmly on Carlotta, a pleased smile forming on his lips. "It seems you've made your choice, Carlotta. No regrets?"
"It is my honor, Grandfather." Carlotta inclined her head slightly, her posture elegant.
"I always knew Capollo's schemes wouldn't stop your determination. My only worry was that the ideals imposed upon you might clip your wings. But it seems I worried for nothing."
Francesco then turned his gaze to Ray beside him, his eyes growing more meaningful. "You're not simple, young man."
Hearing this, Ray was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"When we met earlier, I recall… you seemed to be coming from the Fisalia family's territory, didn't you?"
The moment she heard the word "Fisalia," Carlotta's signature antenna of hair perked up in alert. She turned, crossed her arms, and glared at Ray, her cheeks puffed in frustration.
"Well… actually, I…" Ray stammered, at a loss for how to explain.
Seeing his flustered state, Francesco let out a hearty laugh. "Alright, don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you. What you need to focus on now is calming Carlotta down. As for your dealings with the Fisalia family, Carlotta has already told me everything. I never imagined the reclusive Fisalia family head carried such a heavy burden."
He paused briefly, then continued, "As for the banquet the day after tomorrow, Carlotta, I leave it entirely in your hands. And you too, Ray...." The old man's gaze shifted back to the young man. "It seems you're quite familiar with that family head?"
"Familiar is an understatement…" Carlotta pouted and muttered under her breath.
Though her voice was soft, Francesco heard it clearly. He only smiled helplessly, shook his head knowingly at Ray, and said nothing.
Ray looked flustered. "Uh, well…"
"Don't worry, I'm not trying to make things hard for you. This is between you young people. I only hope you can act as a bridge between our two families and help ease our tensions."