Make Our Family Great Again – Chapter 57

Felicita’s second visit was fruitful.

At the very least, she managed to enter the Secret Social Club for the Upper Class governed by Veronica.

Inside the club’s building, members were indulging in a banquet.

“….”

“This way. Follow me.”

Felicita hurried her steps while mentally absorbing the sight of the members. Their faces were covered by masks, leaving only their mouths visible.

They acted as if they were regular members of the Carmen Family.

“Is there no Holy Spirit Pie today?”

“Ah. I’m as disappointed as you are, but we have the Devil’s Waist, so it should be fine, right?”

The club members mentioned names of foods only they knew, which emitted a distinctly blasphemous vibe.

It was utterly immoral, yet this was what the upper class of the city engaged in behind closed doors.

Felicita was so disillusioned that she had no energy to curse. Of course, she might have been preoccupied with more important matters.

“The administrator is waiting inside.”

“Thank you for guiding me.”

“No, it’s an honor to escort you here.”

The masked member of the Carmen Family bowed to Felicita in respect.

Then she entered the room. However, the interior felt more like Veronica’s office or study rather than aligning with the general ambiance of the club.

Approaching her was a woman whose face was concealed behind a mask, wearing a mournful expression. She greeted Felicita.

“Hello, Miss Marinelli.”

“Thank you for meeting me, Administrator Veronica Carmen.”

“You can just call me Veronica.”

“Got it. Veronica. Do you know why I came all the way here?”

“I have an idea…but it’s rather reckless of you.”

Veronica spoke, hiding her face with an ornate fan.

A mask followed by a fan; Felicita worried that she might not want to reveal her true face.

Yet… meeting face to face revealed some things. Veronica’s hair color was strikingly similar to her husband’s.

“Aren’t you unmarried?”

“…I thought you might know that if you’re part of the Carmen Family.”

Felicita was unfazed by Veronica’s knowledge of her pregnancy.

In fact, Veronica tilted her head in confusion at Felicita’s nonchalant reaction.

“I find it hard to believe. All the executives of the Marinelli Family, including you, are marked as persons of interest.”

“Why are we considered persons of interest?”

“Because your mother made a mess of my father.”

Surely, if Luke’s status window were here, he would definitely mention the proverb about thieves feeling uneasy.

“Veronica, I know it’s rude, but… could you show me your face?”

“Yes. Anytime.”

Veronica put down her fan and removed the bizarre mask covering her entire face.

“….”

“Do I look just like my brother?”

Felicita froze in fear at the sight of Veronica’s bare face.

Her hair color, even the color of her eyes, were the same. The overall impression of her face… wasn’t certain. In the worst-case scenario, Luke and Veronica could share only their mother’s resemblance, with their father being different by chance.

“…Veronica, you seem to know who your brother is.”

“Yes, my mother told me.”

Veronica responded as if it were no big deal.

“Don’t you want to meet your brother?”

“No, not at all.”

When Felicita asked, Veronica quickly brushed it off.

“….”

Veronica maintained an indifferent attitude toward her brother, trying hard not to show it.

However, Felicita saw through her lies. Veronica’s eyes shifted slightly as if she felt her thoughts were exposed.

In reality, Veronica was indeed quite interested in her brother, Luke Felini.

Though she wasn’t born by them, her adoptive parents raised her. Rita Carmen had long ago told her that a time connected to her brother would come.

It was then she first learned she had a brother.

Having been raised amongst spiders yet not even ten years old, she was a genuine member of a family. However, familial feelings couldn’t be discarded that easily.

Waiting for the time her mother prepared was nothing short of cruel.

In the end, Veronica had secretly sought out her brother without anyone in the Carmen Family catching on.

“….”

When she confirmed her brother’s identity for the first time in her life, she was overwhelmed with emotion.

Like her, he had the same hair, the same eyes. Though he was shorter than she imagined, his vacant eyes were exhausted and weary.

He was truly a noble wolf.

However, what Veronica saw was not just her brother. Elena Felini, the wolf’s biological daughter, who had a close relationship with Luke at the time, was also there.

Watching Luke and Elena get along stirred great jealousy within Veronica.

The spot where Elena belonged was originally hers.

Luke Felini was unaware that his true sister had come to see him several times.

As Veronica waited for the time her mother promised, she suppressed the desire to meet her brother.

Moreover, after Luke matured and became the leader of the wolves, even watching from afar became impossible.

There was a woman wolf she didn’t know the name of, along with other wolves who kept watch.

“Veronica, if you’re alright, why don’t you come with us?”

“…I appreciate the offer but I have no intention to.”

“Luke would be very happy.”

“As I mentioned before, I couldn’t care less about my brother.”

“Is that how you address a brother you don’t care for at all?”

“….”

Veronica realized her mistake. However, Felicita looked relieved to find out that Veronica wasn’t entirely indifferent towards Luke.

Felicita grabbed Veronica’s hand with such speed that Veronica barely had time to react.

“We will always welcome you.”

Felicita’s proposal was very appealing to Veronica.

Yet she exercised patience and once again rejected the offer. There were things she had to do to become a sister fit for her brother.

“I’ll gladly accept your sentiment.”

“….”

“But you don’t need to worry. I have plans too.”

“Well, if you say so, then it can’t be helped.”

“Please tell my brother to prepare a spot for the Carmen Family in the new Five Families arrangement the Felini Family is arranging.”

“…What does that mean?”

Veronica merely expressed her thoughts and bid farewell to Felicita.

She appreciated her visit, but it was far too dangerous for either of them for Felicita to come back.

Thus, Veronica didn’t forget to warn Felicita; never show her face here directly again.

*

As Veronica finished her meeting with Felicita, Elena and I were still attending our family’s sponsored orphanage event.

One commonality between us was that we were immensely popular with participants.

It wasn’t just that female participants flocked to me or male participants surrounded Elena.

Amidst this complicated situation, someone was maintaining their ground.

That was Armo.

He was the caporegime of our family and responsible for protecting Elena, the boss.

Because of this, it was his job to deal with those who would approach Elena unnecessarily.

“Mrs. Felini, can I speak with you for a moment?”

“That would be quite inconvenient.”

A young man committed a mistake that others frequently did. He suddenly approached Elena too closely without notice. Naturally, Armo stopped him, but Elena inquired his name.

“….”

But rather than mention his name, the man slightly pulled something from his pocket to show.

“Does that answer your question?”

“What business do you have with me?”

Elena’s gaze changed in an instant. What the man showed was a grotesque iron mask; evidence he was part of the Carmen Family.

Of course, one could also disguise as a member of the Carmen Family, but approaching in such an unpleasant manner seemed exclusive to them.

“Armo, keep an eye out for a moment.”

“Yes.”

Elena moved to converse privately with the man, into a smaller room in the building where the event was being held.

“Bravely showing your bare face. I thought you guys lacked the guts to do that.”

“That’s only true for ordinary members. As an executive like me, I don’t need to wear a mask.”

He introduced himself to Elena as Hector Carmen.

“I’m the adopted son of Rita Carmen.”

“Are you asking me to believe that?”

“If you find that unbelievable, I can give you my mask. After all, you have Viola with you, she would recognize it.”

“…Just get to the point. I don’t have time to waste.”

“Since you’re the boss of the Felini Family, I’ll keep it brief.”

Hector then began to spill unbelievable words.

Before Elena’s father, the Godfather, was assassinated, Rita Carmen allegedly received a request from the Godfather. That request was… to approach the other five families disguised as the Godfather’s assassination.

“….”

“It seems you’ve already heard about the Marinelli Family and Russo Family. My mother approached the bosses of those two families asking for cooperation in the Godfather’s assassination.”

“And?”

“What I’m trying to convey is likely something you do not know.”

Then Hector shared that Eddie Sanchez and Mikhail Dragovich accepted Carmen’s proposal.

Since the Sanchez Family and Dragovich Family accepted the offer, the Carmen Family naturally did not act. After all, it was only to gauge the reactions of the five families.

But the Godfather was assassinated by someone.

“You know what happened after, right? The Sanchez Family turned their arrows towards us.”

“Evidence for your claims?”

“I can’t show you right now, but soon I will be able to.”

“…What?”

“I will have my mother kneel before you.”

Elena found it difficult to follow his story. What nonsense was spewing from this delusional guy?

“The Carmen Family doesn’t seem like they would fall for someone like you.”

“I have more allies than you realize. One of them is your husband’s brother.”

“….”

When Veronica Carmen’s existence was mentioned, Elena’s expression soured. Hector did not miss that reaction.

“The things I’m saying now are purely my own decisions. My mother has no intention of telling you or your husband the truth.”

“Carmen was wise. After all, I wouldn’t believe you at all.”

“Hmm, that’s unfortunate. How about this?”

Hector referenced another proposal, with disappointment in the reaction he elicited.

Another political marriage; one between the Felini Family and the Carmen Family.

“You and I would become a married couple.”

“Sounds like it’s not even worth listening to.”

“The Carmen Family will become your ally. It won’t be a loss.”

Hector emphasized the intelligence of the Carmen Family and their resilience against the struggles of the Sanchez Family. But he failed in moving Elena’s heart.

“You seem to not understand. I’m already married.”

“Your husband also has two wives. Can’t you too have two husbands?”

“….”

“Think of it as your husband forming an alliance with the Marinelli Family through political marriage.”

When Elena fell silent, Hector decided to up the ante. He reached out toward her body.

This wasn’t the first time he thought it; her beauty was flawless. It was too precious for someone like her brother.

The mere existence of her was perfection, but what excited Hector was the idea of gradually coloring her… someone else’s wife.

Just as his malicious intent-laden fingers were about to touch Elena’s body…

Elena’s hand struck first. Hector didn’t comprehend what was happening, but it didn’t seem bad either.

“….”

Garg!

Hector was taken aback by the sudden turn of events.

Elena swiftly reached for Hector’s neck, squeezing with all her might. The muscles hidden all over her body revealed themselves.

Hector carried weapons for emergencies and poisons commonly used by spiders, but they were no help.

“….”

Elena leaned her weight in again, and Hector’s neck snapped at an unnatural angle, killing him. All that remained was Hector’s blood splattered across her face and clothes.

She swept away the blood that stained her as if it were dirty.

“Miss, are you alright?”

Armo quickly entered the room, having guarded the door.

With the sound of a neck breaking, it wasn’t surprising for Armo to arrive.

“….”

“Armo, thank goodness you’re here. Please dispose of this trash.”

“Yes, understood.”

Then Elena asked him to bring her a change of clothes.

“Honestly….”

She hadn’t intended to kill him. There were many fools babbling in this city.

But this guy, who introduced himself as Hector Carmen, crossed the line. Daring to use her brother and… husband Luke as leverage.

Above all, she was Luke’s wife. She had no intentions of seeking solace in anyone but him.

Afterward, Elena quickly changed her clothes and headed out of the room towards Luke. Only he could cleanse her of this filthy feeling.

However, at that moment, Elena remained unaware.

She had just dealt a massive blow to Veronica.