Leonardo actually led his men to attack Ivan’s territory, even at the cost of tearing all pretense apart and igniting an all–out war. What the hell was he thinking? The two brothers soon clashed, but it was clear that Ivan’s forces were superior. His troops were disciplined and flawlessly coordinated.
In just over ten minutes, Leonardo’s men were utterly defeated. They were disarmed, wounded, and left moaning on the ground. He himself was pinned down by Ivan’s subordinates, completely humiliated.
Ivan stood over him and looked down with icy disdain. His intent to kill was obvious. But in the end, for the sake of their family, Ivan spared his life.
However, Leonardo didn’t give up. He continued pestering me relentlessly.
“Madeline, you’ve always loved me! Stop this nonsense. I even brought Dora to atone for our mistakes!”
Dora was shoved before me by his men. She fell to the ground with a pitiful expression. She clutched the hem of my dress, kneeling as she pleaded.
“Madeline, it’s all my fault. Please forgive him.”
But in the very next second, her expression turned violent. A gleaming dagger appeared in her grip. She aimed it directly at my heart.
“Madeline! What the hell did you do to Leonardo? Why is he suddenly obsessed with you again? He was supposed to marry me! And now he’s saying he wants to break off our engagement!”
Her shrieks were filled with madness and resentment. Her makeup was smudged by tears and fury. Her face looked like a horrid
mask.
“Why? Why is it that even in this lifetime, I still can’t beat you?”
She lunged at me with the dagger like a lunatic.
I instinctively stepped back, but the next moment, Leonardo took the hit for me.
The dagger plunged deep into his shoulder blade. Blood trickled down his back, staining his shirt a striking red.
Leonardo actually took the hit for me. After ensuring I wasn’t harmed, he turned on Dora. His expression was dark and vicious.
“You wretched woman! How could you be so despicable? Do you have a death wish?”
