Dear Readers,

The word count on this chapter is 3050 it means that it can have more mistakes than my usual 1k chapter, I hope you will forgive me and enjoy the story anyway

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The lunch break was equally eventful as the rest of the day.

Sofia planned to invite Greta to the table but when she said "hey" Greta walked past her as if she didn't hear her speaking. Maybe she didn't.

Sofia realized that Greta just like yesterday decided to try her luck at Cynthia's table.

Oh boy. It's not going to end well. It's going to be a disaster in fact. Sofia sat on her spot next to Bruno and watched the dramatic scene unfold.

"Can we talk?" Greta asked nicely, she looked nervous.

"Jeez, are you slow? Get a hint and get the fuck out off my face" Cynthia said bitterly. She didn't even bother to look at Greta. Instead, she was staring at her plate with disgust.

Greta however was not a person who would give up easily.

"Seriously? Years of friendship are meaningless to you because I didn't do something stupid enough to get me kicked out of the school?!" Greta yelled with pain and desperation.

"Exactly. Don't breathe next to me, don't exist next to me. I never really liked you, and that hair color of yours is just horrible" Cynthia listed in an apathetic voice referring to Greta's red hair-shade. Ok, they were heavily bleached which could be noted with a naked eye.

"You will regret it. I will show everyone what sort of person you are '' Greta said in tears and ran out of the cafeteria.

It was horrible.

Sofia really, really wanted for this day to end.

She should've listen to Alessandro and stay at home.

🌙🌙🌙

Right after classes, the corridors were emptying from the last remaining students and the crowd of people gathered at the door of classroom number 7.

Cynthia was on her own, no guardian in sight.

Giada showed up with her grim-looking father. He was short and had bushy brows. The Pollini brothers were currently at the infirmary so they couldn't be present but their mother showed up, with puffy cheeks and a pained expression.

The headmaster, Roberto Villuti, was a middle-aged man with a mix of black and grey hair and he was wearing heavy round glasses on his nose.

Sofia suspected that today is not his favorite day of running this school. Sofia saw him only once before, on her first day of school. It was a brief encounter. Back then when he was welcoming her at the school he was smiling warmly. Today his face was saddened and serious

He adjusted his glasses and asked."Cynthia, where is your dad?"

"He can't come today but he gave permission to my cousin to come here in his place" Cynthia responded awkwardly.

"Your cousin?" Mr. Velluti's face became even paler.

"Oh, he's here," Cynthia said.

Sofia turned her head in the direction that Cynthia was pointing at.

The man in question was on the other end of the corridor advancing towards the group. He was wearing a dark brown suit with a forest-green shirt and he was speaking over the phone in what sounded to Sofia like fluent Spanish. He finished speaking the moment when he stopped right in front of he the headmaster. He slid his phone into his pocket.

"Roberto" he greeted.

"Rosario, I wasn't expecting to see you today," Mr. Velluti said, looking stressed.

"Carlos is not feeling well, I am sure you understand," Rosario said. He then showed Mr. Villuti the paperwork that indicated that he can legally represent Cynthia during her father's absence.

Sofia naturally took the place right next to Alessandro but with curiosity, she observed Cynthia's cousin. What did that mean? Hopefully, it wasn't her brother? Another one? How many brothers can a person have? 4 is more than enough actually.

Sofia took a good look at him and he did remind her a lot of Alessio. He had charcoal black hair, he was wearing Bvlgari sunglasses on top of his head and Sofia could freely admire his vibrant green eyes. His hair was short, and he had a neatly trimmed beard. He was also wearing a signet ring but it was not golden like Alessandro's, it was a mix of silver and black.

It was interesting to see people's reactions to his arrival. Sofia could sense the tension in almost everyone except for Alessandro who shifted into an emotionless stone statue. Without a doubt, people had the same fear and respect for him as they did for Alessandro which was intimidating by itself.

It was possible to notice how much sympathy the two men held to each other since they chose their seats to make sure they're as far away from each other as the small classroom permits.

Sofia watched as Cynthia says sweetly to her cousin "Rosario! Thank you for coming. I'm sorry for causing trouble"

Sofia never saw her like that. That's new.

"We will talk about it later, Cynthia" he was cold and distant which was unusual and scared Cynthia. Usually, Rosario was very warm towards her. Even when she messed up he wasn't mad, he would always get her out of trouble. Of course, he was still a scary figure because of things she knew he's capable of doing but he was never cold towards her, unlike Alessio. What was going on? Why was he treating her like that? Cynthia really, desperately wanted Rosario's approval. Was this his breaking point? She really fucked everything up this time.

Sofia could hear someone clearing his throat it was the headmaster who clearly felt out of place

"Let me then welcome you at today's meeting," the headmaster said. He took his place at the center of the classroom in front of the teacher's desk. He didn't feel like sitting down for the scene that is going to play out. Roberto was very aware of how ugly things can get from this point forward with both Alessandro Ianniello and Rosario Denaro in the same room. He took a deep breath and continued "First of all I'd like to express my deepest regret for allowing this situation to happen. As you know I have already taken action this morning in order to ensure the video is no longer in possession of the students. Their phones are confiscated for now and I deeply hope that we will be able to solve this without involving police"

"Oh, I completely agree," Alessandro said "My attorney prepared a personal injury lawsuit it does not require police involvement since we will be setting this case in a civil court"

"Is there any way we can settle it without involving the police?" Ms. Pollini asked.

"Depending on how willing you are to comply with my demands" Alessandro responded smoothly.

"Let's hear them then," Mr. Villuti invited her brother to continue.

"I do not trust them to delete the video, storage from their phones should be completely erased, social media checked, and each person involved should be expelled"

"With all due respect," Giada's father said, in an irritated voice "This is absolutely ridiculous. First of all the kids gave up their phones only because they were threatened with the police you had no right to confiscate their private property," he said with the last sentence addressing the headmaster directly "To wipe off the memory of my child's phone you'd need a court ruling, it is absolutely unnecessary to infringe of their privacy in such a way, children will delete that video on their own accord, right?"

He paused and looked at the kids. No one nodded. No one said anything, most people were shocked at how disrespectful he was to Alessandro and it brought everyone to the conclusion that Antonio Ferraro was a brave man with a death wish.

"Mr. Ianniello I apologize, Antonio just started living in the city he doesn't know... he doesn't understand..." Mrs. Pollini didn't know how to finish the sentence, she was very anxious. So she took a deep breath to continue with a more stable voice "I agree with you. The phones should be wiped out, I will find a new school for my children all I can ask for is your leniency for my boys"

Alessandro nodded and she took a deep breath of relief.

"Really, that's all Alicia? You won't even try to fight for your kids?" He yelled and stood up from his chair. "This meeting is a sham. We came here just to hear the verdict, the offense that should end in suspension is now a court matter? This is ridiculous"

"Dad, don't please" Giada begged, pulling him by his sleeve to force him to sit down.

"Antonio, I understand your anger" Mr.Villuti started calmly. "But we cannot let our emotions get the better of us"

"My apologies, Roberto," Antonio said, trying to collect himself. However, Alessandro didn't give him time to calm down. "However I mainly blame the school administration, you should've noticed that something is going on. I know that there's a black sheep in every class but it went too far because teachers weren't watchful enough"

Black sheep? Sofia felt sadness spreading in her chest. She guessed that something must be wrong with her since people were picking on her so he was correct.

"Sofia" Alessandro replied to him.

"What?" Antonio snapped at him, which made other parents look at him with fear.

"The girl you just spoke about. That's her name and she's sitting right here" Alessandro explained in a calm voice that made Sofia shiver.

But Giada's father didn't even look at her.

"My point is that there are levels of guilt here, the first school administration failed, that's the first. The second is that Denaro girl who started the whole thing and was a leader of the group and provoked my daughter to behave like this, next is Gabriele who used force to bring Sofia to the bathroom"

"You think your child is the least guilty?" Rosario snorted, clearly amused "She literally filmed everything including her own part in the whole scene. She wasn't just a random bystander"

Everyone was already filled in with details about the video

"Provoked," Cynthia said in disbelief "What the fuck are you talking about? Your child is 17 maybe she should take the blame for her own actions?" Cynthia suggested with disgust.

"Cynthia, thank you for that insightful comment but I'd like to ask you to not use that language" Mr. Villuti scolded.

"That's all you have to say? No wonder kids are going wild in this school, no discipline" Antonio scoffed.

"Discipline, you say? I don't think there's anything lacking in my family, in that regard. But I will humbly receive some tips and recommendations from a true specialist" Rosario said. He continued to have fun despite the fact that everyone was deadly serious. It was really unsettling. "That child of yours has her own brain. If she decided not to use it it's nobody's fault but hers" Rosario pointed out.

"As I said she was under the influence of her peers," Antonio said dryly.

"It's a shame that she wasn't under her parental influence" Rosario responded flippantly.

"What are you implying?" Antonio asked, scandalized with Rosario's bluntness.

"I am implying that you can't control your daughter, and I can discuss it with you in private but now is not the time," he said darkly, Rosario tone changed drastically in a split second "But right now let's come back to the main topic. I agree with Alessandro. Everyone involved should be expelled and at that note, we can end today's meeting," he said in the tone of an experienced boss who was closing the discussion.

Holy shit. Sofia's jaw fell open.

"R-Rosario?" Cynthia asked, she looked scared to ask him directly.

"Yes?" He turned around to look at

"You said everyone," Cynthia pointed out.

"I did," he replied.

"B-but. What about me?" Cynthia asked, her eyes shining with tears.

"You included" Rosario "You will be transferred to catholic boarding school, your father is already in the process of arranging everything"

Cynthia was speechless. Currently stuck in her own drama, unable to speak. Rosario betrayed her.

This is when Antonio decided to blow up again: "This is ridiculous, why are everyone quiet? Does Denaro and Ianniello owe the school to be making decisions when the meeting is over?! What punishment do our children get? Why are you just listening with your head down? Alicia's sons are not here because they were beaten up so badly. What about the brats who did it?" Antonio finished his passionate speech with a question but no one was impressed.

"Antonio, stop. Please don't meddle with the issues of my children" Alicia said sharply. She knew very well whom she doesn't want to be in conflict with. Antonio was a blind fool but she wasn't.

"Alicia I just don't understand-"

"You heard the lady," Rosario interrupted him casually.

"I believe that Mr. Rosario correctly assumed that it's all we have for this meeting. On behalf of the school, I can ensure we are diligently working on a new anti-bullying policy" Mr. Villuti said in an apologetic voice.

"When can we expect the phones to be returned?" Alicia asked.

"At the end of the week. I will arrange the technician who will take care of their phones"

Sofia was fascinated. The most unusual things were happening ever since she started to live with Ianniellos. As if normalcy just wasn't for them, her world turned into something crazy.

The moment Cynthia was allowed to leave the classroom she had to ask her cousin: "Why?" She asked desperately, "Why weren't you fighting for me?" She whined "Boarding school? Expulsion? Why?"

Cynthia just didn't understand. Rosario didn't care about strangers, Cynthia in a normal situation could burn someone's house down and Rosario would still make sure she got away with it. That's what she believed, that was just the way he was. He protected his family no matter what. So why was this time different? Why did he just throw her under the bus and left the scene?

"What's the first rule?" Rosario asked calmly, they were now leaving the school through the front door.

"Never harm a family member" she recited automatically.

"What happens if you break that rule?" Rosario continued.

"You're no longer a part of the family," Cynthia replied. „But I didn't hurt any family member?" she tried to catch up to his brisk walking.

He didn't respond. He just kept walking.

But Cynthia very quickly learned the answer.

"Alessandro, they are following us, aren't they? Sofia whispered to her older brother's ear nervously

"Don't worry about that" he said in a calming manner and continued to walk at a moderate pace. Sofia was thankful for his calm attitude.

"Ianniello, it's been a long time" Rosario finally decided to talk to them when they entered the school parking lot.

"Indeed" Alessandro responded in a cold voice.

"Cynthia told me that Sofia is your sister, I've never seen her before, where have you been hiding that girl for so many years?" He asked in a mocking voice as if he was trying to provoke Alessandro to respond with anger.

"She was found recently, I wasn't hiding anything" Alessandro responded without losing a beat.

"That's interesting you see. Because as far as I'm aware your mother was pregnant with my father's child when she disappeared 17 years ago. And now, all of sudden you have a sister at the exact age my long-lost sister would be" he was still speaking with a laid-back attitude but there was something serious and scary in his green eyes.

"S-sister?" Cynthia whispered quietly and Sofia observed as shock turns into terror when this information sinks in.

"Be careful to not jump to conclusions because of this coincidence, Rosario" Alessandro responded flatly.

"Well, I'm glad you're saying that because I was about to assume that you're holding my family member hostage. After all, if Denaro is her father, her last name should be Denaro as well and her place should be in the Denaro family" he used very specific words to let Alessandro know what his stance is without revealing too many details. He was keeping in my Cynthia's and Sofia's presence.

"No one is keeping me hostage," Sofia protested but both men ignored her.

"Regardless of what your theories might be about my sister's upbringing, she's my blood and she belongs to Ianniello's house" Alessandro responded, his voice capable of stopping global warming.

"You really want to end on this note? We both know that your denial is not solving anything" Rosario asked, his voice serious and irritated right now.

"What do you propose?" Alessandro asked.

"A dinner where we can discuss the nature of our... misunderstanding," Rosario said, his eyes dark with anger.

"I will think about it," Alessandro said, turning away and leading Sofia to the car. By this, he was indicating that he sees this discussion as closed.

"Better think quickly because I'm not a patient man," Rosario warned.

XXX

Francesco caught his older brother sitting late at night in his office. He just came back from the business trip and he wanted to be filled in about everything that happened during his absence, especially the case of Sofia's bullying. When he saw an expression on his older brother's face he was instantly alarmed.

"Why going on?" Francesco asked quietly. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and sat on the sofa.

"Rosario Denaro knows. We received a dinner invitation that I am planning to reject" Alessandro replied. It was late but he was still working, this wasn't a good day.

"He's going to try to take her away from us won't he?" Francesco asked in a grim voice.

Alessandro silently confirmed.

"As expected he doesn't believe that matrilineal lineage matters. From his perspective, Sofia is a Denaro and our family has no claim to her"

"What do we do then?" Francesco asked "we can't let them just take her from us, she's our sister too. Our blood," he said hotly.

"We will ignore him as long as we can"

Ignoring Rosario Denaro was however a very hard job.