Chapter 2I Spat Out the Coin and Won My Freedom

Dad set down his files and gave me a long, searching look.

Ever since my mother died two years ago and he brought Caroline, his illegitimate daughter, into the Family, we hadn't said a word to each other.

He didn't ask what had happened.

"Matthew Russo is the son who was kidnapped years ago. He's back, and yes, he's technically an heir, but his position is still uncertain.

"If you rush to take sides, I have to consider the safety of our entire family."

What he didn't know was that years ago, during a mission in Bayport, I had saved Matthew's life when he was at his lowest.

Back then, I'd assumed he was just an associate of someone in the Family, so I hadn't thought much of it.

It wasn't until my previous life, when I got pregnant with Clark's child and he took me to an inner-circle gathering, that I saw Matthew again.

That was when I learned he was the Don's long-lost second son.

Dad didn't need to know any of that.

I kept my tone flat. "Caroline is dating Clark now. You can let your precious daughter secure your future from here on.

"All I need is for you to pull some strings and get my resume sent to your contacts in Bayport.

"After that, you can disown me for all I care."

His expression gave nothing away. To him, Caroline and I were both his daughters.

One of us had been born to his wife and raised by his own hand.

The other was his illegitimate child, the daughter he'd felt guilty about abandoning all these years.

He sighed. "I'll take care of it."

Just then, Caroline walked in with her arm linked through Clark's and immediately called for a servant to prepare some drinks.

"Dad! Clark is here to see you!"

Spotting me in the study, she flashed me a coy smile. "Oh, Nelly. I know how you feel about Clark.

"I've felt so guilty. I begged him the whole way here, and he finally agreed that while we're together this month, you can move into his villa too. You can monitor us and I promise I won't cross any lines. Okay?"

Apparently, she thought that was enough to make herself look innocent.

I knew exactly what she was doing. She wanted to make me jealous enough to finally break things off with Clark.

When I said nothing, Caroline bounced over and took my hand.

"Come on, Nelly! Don't waste this opportunity!"

I gave her a faint smile. "Sure. Then I should thank you for inviting me along."

This time it was Caroline whose smile froze.

A flash of resentment crossed her eyes.

Clark, however, seemed pleased by my answer. He pulled her into his arms.

"Relax. I only have eyes for you."

And he meant it.

After I moved into his villa, he and Caroline were inseparable.

He didn't make things difficult for me, but he barely acknowledged me either.

It was obvious he'd only brought me there to keep an eye on me and make sure I didn't interfere with him pursuing Caroline.

And Caroline never missed a chance to shoot me a smug look.

To her, it was one more victory after taking my father from me.

I had agreed to come for one reason only: access.

I needed access to Clark's records of all the rules he'd broken during previous assignments.

He was wary of me too and had changed the passcode on his study.

But he could never have guessed that in our previous life, the housekeeper had accidentally revealed the backup code.

Right under his nose, I collected evidence piece by piece.

Then I sent it all to Matthew through encrypted channels.

Saving his life once years ago might have opened the door for me, but that wasn't enough.

If I wanted Matthew's trust and truly wanted to break free, I had to prove my value and show him what I could offer.

But Matthew never replied.

Meanwhile, I received an assassination mission from Clark.