Chapter5 Provocation

Jareth POV

Villa study.

Jareth sat on the sofa. In front of him stood a man in black, Rico, his most trusted subordinate, whom he'd sent to investigate Talia's background.

"How'd it go?" Jareth's voice was low, especially clear in the quiet study.

"What Talia said is basically all true." Rico handed over a file. "She really did meet Gavin at university and they were together for seven years."

"Six months ago, she was kidnapped and had a miscarriage in an abandoned warehouse. At the time, Gavin claimed publicly it was an accident."

Jareth flipped through the file, frowning. "Did you find out who sent the kidnappers?"

Rico said in a low voice, "Yes. It was arranged by Miss Serafina's personal bodyguard. Miss Serafina has always liked Gavin and wanted to get rid of Talia for a long time. When she found out Talia was pregnant, she planned the kidnapping. She only meant to scare her, but didn't expect it would cause a miscarriage."

Jareth's fingers lightly tapped the file. "Go on."

Rico continued his report. "Talia's family background is also true. She was born into a Catholic family in Calabria. Her parents thought she was the devil reincarnated because of the birthmark on her left shoulder. When she was eight, they tried to sell her to a mafia godfather, but her grandmother saved her. After her grandmother died, she came to this city alone, worked her way through university, and after graduating worked as a salesperson at a luxury counter. That's where she met Serafina."

Jareth put down the file, picked up the whiskey on the table, and took a sip. "When she was with Gavin, he was just some broke kid?"

Rico nodded. "Yes, Don Jareth. When Gavin was starting his business, he was short on funds. Talia stayed with him the whole time and even worked odd jobs to help support him. Later, Serafina invested a million in Gavin's company. That's when Gavin gradually distanced himself from Talia and got together with Serafina."

Jareth was silent for a moment. He'd originally thought Talia was just a woman trying to climb the social ladder. He hadn't expected her life to be so rough, and for Serafina to do something so vicious for a man.

Jareth ordered, "Keep watching her. See what she's planning to do next."

"Understood." Rico responded respectfully and left the study.

Only Jareth remained in the study. He held his glass.

This woman Talia was actually pretty interesting.

She looked fragile and helpless, but she had real toughness inside. Betrayed by the people she trusted most, lost her child, yet still dared to approach him, a mafia boss everyone feared, even willing to bet with herself.

Her boldness and determination did spark his interest.

But he also knew this woman harbored hatred. Getting close to him was just a way to use him for revenge.

Jareth muttered to himself, "Revenge? Maybe we can make a deal."

Talia POV

The next morning, I was woken by footsteps downstairs.

After getting dressed and going downstairs, I found Jareth already sitting in the dining room eating breakfast. The table had eggs Benedict, smoked salmon, avocado toast, and milk. It looked quite lavish.

"You're up? Come eat breakfast." He didn't even look up.

I was a bit flattered and walked over to sit down, picking up a piece of toast and taking small bites.

"Come with me to the company today." Jareth suddenly spoke.

"Okay." I quickly nodded, unable to hide my excitement. I could finally get out.

Jareth nodded with satisfaction, took a sip of milk, and said, "After breakfast, come with me."

After breakfast, we drove together to the Camorra family company.

The car stopped in front of the company building. As soon as we got out, I saw Serafina and Gavin standing at the entrance.

Seeing me and Jareth get out together, Serafina's face instantly turned ugly.

"Dad, you're here."

But when she looked at me, her eyes showed undisguised hostility. "What are you doing here?"

I smiled faintly and deliberately leaned closer to Jareth. "Why can't I be here? From now on, I'll be staying by Don Jareth's side."

Gavin wanted to say something but in the end just respectfully nodded at Jareth. "Don Jareth."

Jareth ignored their reactions and simply said "let's go in" before striding into the office building first.

I followed behind him, feeling Serafina and Gavin's venomous stares from behind.

I sneered inwardly. This was only the beginning.

Serafina, Gavin, what you owe me, I'll collect back bit by bit, with interest.

Walking into Jareth's office, he had me sit on the sofa nearby while he sat behind his desk handling business.

The entire morning was peaceful. Serafina and Gavin probably didn't come to trouble me out of respect for Jareth.

At noon, Jareth was still busy, so I went to the Camorra company cafeteria to eat by myself and get takeout for him.

The cafeteria was large and luxuriously decorated. I got my food and found a seat to sit down when Serafina walked over with two female companions.

"Can I sit with you?" Serafina asked, looking at me.

I didn't say anything.

Looking at this fake act killed my appetite.

Serafina sat beside me while her two companions sat across from me.

"So this is Miss Hayes?" One woman in a red dress spoke up, asking contemptuously. "I heard you used to work as a salesperson at a luxury counter?"

The other woman chimed in. "No wonder she looks so tacky. Even staying by Don Jareth's side can't change that poor look in her bones."

Their voices weren't loud, but they could be heard by people around us. Those people looked at me curiously.

My hand gripping the utensils tightened. Anger instantly surged inside me.

I looked up at the woman in the red dress. "I did work at a luxury counter. But I earned money with my own two hands. I didn't steal or rob, unlike some people who were born into rich families but only know how to bully others using their family's power."

"Who are you talking about?" The woman in the red dress's face changed, glaring at me angrily.

"Whoever responds, that's who I'm talking about." I said calmly.

"You dare talk to me like that?" The woman suddenly stood up and raised her hand to hit me.

I was prepared. I dodged to the side and grabbed her wrist at the same time.

My voice turned cold. "This is the Camorra family company cafeteria, not a place for you to act crazy. If Don Jareth thinks his daughter's friends are all ill-mannered shrews, do you think Miss Serafina will let you off?"

The woman's face went pale and she looked at Serafina.

Serafina's face was ugly, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Alright, enough. Let's just eat."

The woman didn't dare act out anymore and sat down reluctantly, though she still glared viciously at me.

I cheerfully took the packed lunch and walked back to the office.

Coming back from the cafeteria, I placed the packed lunch beside Jareth's desk. He didn't even look up, still typing on his computer.

He suddenly asked, "Did Serafina give you trouble in the cafeteria just now?"

I was stunned, not expecting his information network to be so good. I smiled and sat down. "Just a small thing. A few gossips. I can handle it."

I sat on the sofa in Jareth's office, my finger sliding across my phone screen. All I could think about was how to make Gavin and Serafina pay.