Three years later, the situation in Cecilo had changed dramatically.
Under Domenico's negligent rule, the Calvetti family was in steady decline. Many territories had been carved up by other families.
The once mighty mafia Don had become a wreck who spent his days drinking himself into oblivion, while I had emerged as Signora L.

With the assets my mother left behind and Salvatore's support, I acquired Cecilo's largest port with ruthless efficiency and monopolized half of Urop's shipping business. I had become the most powerful woman in Cecilo.
No one knew my real name. No one knew my past. They only knew that Signora L was ruthless and shrewd, and that no one dared cross her.
Tonight was the Calvetti family's last shred of dignity. To settle debts, Domenico had no choice but to auction off the family's ancestral estate.
The auction hall was magnificent and packed with distinguished guests.
Domenico sat in a corner wearing a shabby suit. His hair was disheveled, and his eyes were clouded. He clutched a faded urn tightly in his arms.
It contained a handful of burnt soil he had collected from the crash site. He stubbornly believed it was my ashes.

"Next up for auction is the Calvetti family's main estate. The starting bid is 50 million dollars!" The auctioneer's voice rang out.
The room fell silent.
Everyone knew that although the Calvetti family had fallen, Domenico was a madman. No one wanted to invite that kind of trouble.
"Fifty million going once... Fifty million going twice..."

"A hundred million."
I spoke from the VIP room on the second floor, my voice cutting through the silence.
Every head in the room turned upward. I stood by the railing in a black haute couture evening gown, a delicate lace mask covering half of my face.
The moment Domenico heard my voice, his dead eyes flared to life. He stumbled to his feet, staring up at me as his entire body trembled.
Three years had passed, but he recognized my voice instantly.
"Lu... Lucia?" He called out her name with a trembling voice, his tone filled with disbelief, wild joy, deep guilt, and fear.
I looked down at him from above. I did not remove my mask. I did not deny it. I simply raised the bidding paddle in my hand and said again, "I'll take this estate. Also, I hear Mr. Calvetti has a bitch in his possession. I'm quite interested in her as well."
The room erupted in gasps.
Everyone knew Domenico had sent Alice to the red light district. By now, Alice was barely recognizable as human.
Domenico stumbled toward the second floor but was blocked at the stairs by four burly men.
"Move! Let me through!" he roared frantically, tears streaming down his face. "Lucia! Is that you? I know it's you! You're alive... Thank God, you're alive!"
I slowly descended the stairs. My heels clicked crisply against the floor. Each step felt like it landed directly on his heart.
When I reached him, I removed my mask. The face that had once been sallow and haggard now glowed with health and vitality.
"Long time no see, ex-husband." I smiled, but my eyes were cold as ice.
"Ex-husband?" Domenico looked like he had been struck by lightning. His face turned deathly pale. "Lucia, I know you hate me. You can get revenge however you want."
He dropped to his knees, ignored the stares of everyone around him, and grabbed the hem of my dress. "Just come back to me. Everything in the Calvetti family is yours. I'm yours too! I can be your dog or your slave. Just don't leave me again!"
He tried to reach for my hand, but I pulled away in disgust.
"The Calvetti family?" I looked around at the place that had once brought me endless humiliation. Mockery flared in my eyes. "It's mine now."
I snapped my fingers, and the large screen behind me lit up.