I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

"Grandfather was right. Our initial ideals were indeed bestowed upon us."

"However, she never intended to be bound by dogma, never has been, and never will be."

"I will lead the Mortari family to new heights in my own way."

As soon as the words were spoken, a reassuring tranquility filled the room, flowing gently between the two of them.

The girl's tone and expression always maintained that innate composure—no matter what choices she faced, Koleta never lost the elegance etched into her bones.

She looked up at Duanmu Yan, gently tiptoed closer to him, rested her forehead against his chest, and murmured softly as if in a dream.

"And, no matter what the future holds—please, you must always stay by my side."

Duanmu Yan was slightly taken aback, and looked down at Koleta, who had suddenly snuggled into his arms.

At this moment, she shed her usual sharpness and became more like a girl next door.

He couldn't help but smile helplessly, reaching out to gently wrap his arms around the girl's slender waist, pulling her closer to him: "Mmm."

After a moment of silence, he seemed to suddenly remember something and asked in a low voice, "By the way, Second Miss, where exactly is this place? And who was that person who looked exactly like you just now...?"

Koleta looked up and explained, "This is a trap that my uncle carefully set for me. This Sonora can read the memories of the first person to enter and construct an illusion that is most likely to trap them. In order to prevent me from interfering with his plans, my uncle used false information to lure me into this place."

"But he clearly underestimated my determination."

“I do hate that rainy night, but that doesn’t mean the shadows of the past can break me.”

“My uncle underestimated me, and he also underestimated my grandfather.”

"As for the Koleta you just met, in a way, she is indeed me, but more accurately, she is an illusion created by Echo Energy based on my memories."

Her voice trailed off, and she suddenly remembered that Duanmu Yan seemed to have been with that Koleta for some time, so she asked in a subtle tone, "By the way, what were you two doing just now?"

doing what?

Duanmu Yan was taken aback, sensing a strong hint of jealousy in Koleta's words.

Seriously? There are people who get jealous of themselves?

The explanation that was on the tip of his tongue took a turn, and a bold idea suddenly popped into his head.

A sly glint flashed in his eyes, and he deliberately stammered, his gaze shifting away from hers: "Well... uh, it was just a moment... a moment of infatuation."

"Huh?" Koleta was clearly stunned, then narrowed her eyes, her tone revealing a dangerous edge, "What do you mean by being bewitched? Explain yourself."

Duanmu Yan suppressed a laugh and continued to act with genuine emotion: "Second Miss, you know that I've always been... cough, devoted to you. So when faced with that 'Koleta' who looks exactly like you, I... I really have no resistance..."

"...You bastard, how can you say such nonsense as 'wholehearted devotion'?" Koleta's lips trembled slightly.

“None of that matters.” Duanmu Yan put on a serious expression. “The key thing is that ‘Koleta’ is using your appearance and said she can grant me any request. So I…”

Koleta's eyes widened in disbelief: "So you agreed?"

"She insists."

"You'll just give it to her if she wants it?"

Duanmu Yan deliberately pouted, turned his face to the side and muttered softly, "It's because the Second Miss always refuses to fulfill my requests... Suddenly another girl appears who will agree to anything you say, how can anyone resist?"

"You, you bastard!" Koleta gritted her teeth in anger, her cheeks flushing red. "Those shameless requests... how could I possibly agree to them so easily! Fun fact: feet are for walking, and the back isn't for penetration!"

"Hard to say."

Koleta was both ashamed and angry, but there was nothing she could do about it.

If you say he cheated, then in a sense, that person was indeed himself.

To say he didn't cheat would be to say he wasn't truly himself.

This contradiction left her feeling somewhat at a loss.

"What a jerk..." She crossed her arms and turned around, letting out a soft snort through her nose.

A moment of silence passed between the two of them, and she finally couldn't help but steal a glance at Duanmu Yan out of the corner of her eye.

After a long while, she finally spoke awkwardly in a voice barely audible.

"Okay...okay! I agree to those requests...I agree to them...is that alright?"

Before she could finish speaking, the girl's ears were already red as if they were about to bleed, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt, and even her breathing became disordered.

Volume 1: Chapter 185 Duanmu is not confused about important matters

Coleta eventually agreed.

So what if?

What else can I do?

If we don't go along with this guy's wishes, there's no guarantee he won't use it as an excuse to go out and flirt with other women.

Koleta will never allow this to happen!

Perhaps there are still many mysteries surrounding Duanmu Yan's background, but as long as the past hasn't come knocking on my door, Duanmu Yan is my own personal cat's eye stone!

Although Koleta is the second young lady of the Motari family and has received higher education, it still takes a lot of courage for her to agree to Duanmu Yan's perverted demands.

"Really?" Duanmu Yan frowned, somewhat disbelieving.

After all, Koleta had never agreed to his requests before, saying they were perverted and therefore unacceptable.

Is this really that weird?

What's so weird about this?

It's clearly just a little game between lovers... well, just to add a bit of fun.

If it were Phoebe—well, Phoebe herself probably wouldn't have agreed in the first place either.

But it's okay, Phoebe is innocent and trusts me. With a little guidance, she'll open up.

As for Cantrella?

This one is more heavyweight.

“Of course it is.” Koleta unconsciously twirled a strand of hair between her fingers, turning her head away as she muttered softly, “Since I promised, I won’t go back on my word. Of course, not now!”

The girl turned around, her expression becoming much more serious: "According to the information I have, my uncle should be preparing to meet with the religious order right now. We must thwart his plot before he hands over the family's legacy to the religious order."

Duanmu Yan naturally nodded in agreement.

He does have a slight... well, a fondness for girls.

But when it comes to important matters, he is absolutely clear-headed.

This is indeed the most important thing right now. As for what the second young lady promised...

There's no rush. They'll have plenty of time to spend together afterward.

It's not too late to take your time and enjoy it then.

"Let's set off immediately without further delay."

……

……

Late at night, a torrential downpour began.

At this moment, there is less than half an hour left until midnight.

Coppola stood alone in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the street scene blurred by the rain.

Rainwater cascaded down the glass like a waterfall, casting a hazy glow on the distant lights.

If everything proceeds as planned, in half an hour he will present the order with the sincerity of the Motari family—a sincerity sufficient to prove the family's loyalty.

In Laguna, the order has always maintained firm control over the highest authority over the terminals. Although the private terminals issued by the Mortari family have largely shaken the order's monopoly, a delicate balance is maintained between the two sides thanks to the huge taxes paid by the family.

This comfort is only temporary.

Coppola was well aware of the order's darkness, and that making an enemy of such a behemoth was doomed to a bad end.

not to mention……

And the Fesalie family is also watching us closely.

Even though the Mortari family is currently at the height of its power, it is absolutely impossible for them to cope with the pressure from both the Order and the Fissarei at the same time—they might be able to barely hold their own, but they would pay a heavy price.

Coppola understands this better than anyone else.

Because he experienced that rainy night, a rainy night that no one in the Motari can forget.

All it takes is sacrificing some core components to ensure the prosperity of the family. Isn't that a very worthwhile deal?

dong dong dong-

A slow, steady knock came from outside the door, its sound particularly clear against the backdrop of the rain.

Coppola gently placed his cigar on the edge of the ashtray and, without turning his head, replied in a deep voice, "Come in."

After a brief silence, the wooden door was silently pushed open.

The sound of crisp footsteps echoed in the study, each step taken with unhurried ease.

“The order should have arrived by now—” Coppola said, turning around, but froze the moment he saw the person's face. His pupils contracted in shock. “Colette? It’s you? Shouldn’t you be—”

“The shadows of the past cannot hold back those who are determined to move forward.” Koleta sneered. “Uncle, not everyone is like you, choosing to sink into eternal despair because of one setback.”

"Degradation?" Coppola's eyes twitched violently, his jaw clenched, and his voice was almost squeezed out from between his teeth. "You don't understand anything at all, Coleta. Everything I did was for the family, to prevent more people from bleeding and sacrificing themselves!"

Koleta stepped forward, her voice resounding: "That's nothing but your cowardly excuse. You betrayed your original intentions, betrayed your grandfather's trust, and betrayed the entire Motari family—for which you even went so far as to harm your own relatives and slaughter your compatriots! Your crimes are unforgivable!"

“Coppola, you are my uncle, and I have always respected you. But I cannot tolerate you colluding with outsiders and betraying your own family—this is my bottom line, and I will never allow it.”

The moment she finished speaking, Koleta slowly raised the gun in her hand.

That was not a weapon she formed with her resonance ability, but a gun that symbolized the highest authority of the Mortari family.

Coppola's gaze was fixed on the gun, his entire body frozen as if struck by lightning. But quickly, a crazed fire ignited in his eyes, his voice trembling with rage: "This gun... why is it in your hands?! You really have been—coveting my position all along!"

Koleta shook her head slightly, a hint of pity in her eyes: "I'm sorry, Uncle. I never coveted your position, nor did I ever want to wield this gun. If you had shown the demeanor and responsibility befitting the title of leader, it would have been yours."

"Unfortunately, it was your choice that caused this gun... to ultimately abandon you."

"Arrogant!" Coppola roared, veins bulging on his forehead. "Men! Seize her!"

However, he was met with deathly silence.

It wasn't until Duanmu Yan dragged the two unconscious guards into the study and casually tossed them onto the carpet that the situation changed.

He dusted off his hands, walked calmly to Koleta's side, and a lazy smile curved his lips.

"Don't waste your energy, your men... are all fast asleep."

"you--!"

Coppola felt a rush of blood to his head, and his eyes instantly became bloodshot.

He abruptly pulled open the desk drawer, pulled out a pistol, and pointed the black muzzle at Koleta and Duanmu Yan with a violent tremor.

Just at this critical moment, the sound of synchronized footsteps suddenly rang out outside the study.

As the door was pushed open again, a tall figure entered the room surrounded by several guards, firmly standing between the two opposing sides.

"The farce is over, Coppola."

“Father…Father!?” Coppola’s face turned deathly pale, and his hand holding the gun involuntarily fell to his sides.

“I know everything you have done.” Francis’s eyes were filled with deep regret. “It seems you have long forgotten every word I taught you.”

The old man stared silently at his son's pale face, while the rain pattered outside the window.

After a long silence, he finally waved his hand heavily.

"Take Coppola away and deal with him according to family rules!"

"As ordered!"

Amidst the uniform cheers of his guards, Coppola slumped into an armchair like a puppet whose soul had been ripped away.

He looked up at the ornately decorated ceiling, his eyes vacant, and said no more.

Francis slowly turned around, his gaze landing gently on Koleta, a relieved smile on his face: "It seems you've made your choice, Koleta. You won't regret it?"

“It is my honor, grandfather.” Koleta bowed slightly, her posture elegant.