Chapter 71 My Regret and Marco's Monologue, I Wish She Had Chosen Me

Elena Garcia POV:

"Damn it!" I glared at my dead phone, fighting the urge to chuck it on the ground. Somehow, I managed to keep my cool.

I crossed my arms, rubbing them for warmth, and perched on the guardrail by the road.

Noah didn't get my SOS call.

With my phone out of commission, I had two lousy options: hang out under this fucking billboard like a fool, hoping some kind driver would give me a lift back to school, or swallow my pride and head back to that damn villa, begging William to let me charge my phone.

Maybe I'd run into my sister Sofia, and they could have another round of mocking and humiliating me.

I let out a bitter laugh and muttered, "Not gonna happen."

I'd rather freeze under this billboard for hours, waiting for a car to pass by, which was totally fine. I would never comprise with them. If I went back, that would make me like a ridiculous clown.

I couldn't tell if it was the cold night air or my heartache, but I was shivering.

As tears started to fall, I quickly wiped them away.

William's betrayal still left me in shock. Who'd believe the guy who saved you could be such a jerk? His sweet talk was all lies. To him, I was no better than a prostitute.

The only person he ever loved was my sister Sofia, and for her, he would like to be a jerk.

Crying over such a scumbag wasn't worth it. He was as shameless as my disgusting foster father. I shouldn't wallow in sadness; it would make me weak. I should be angry.

As I shook off the haze of love, my mind started to clear.

I began to wonder, 'Could someone as shameless and despicable as William really be the guy who saved me from that party?'

I was convinced it was William because Sofia hinted it might be him, and William himself admitted he was my rescuer.

But now, I knew Sofia, who seemed friendly when I came back, was actually jealous of my return. William also said he wouldn't lie to the one he loved, but that person wasn't me. So I had no reason to believe them anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I covered my face in frustration.

I also realized that if William's words were lies, then Marco's warnings were true. He had kindly warned me, but I misunderstood Marco because of William's deception, thinking Marco was just jealous and badmouthing him. I had held a grudge against Marco ever since!

I shouldn't have! How foolish I was!

In my anger towards William, I began to feel guilty towards Marco.

Marco Bianchi POV:

My agent Francesco was all smiles when he saw Noah.

Noah didn't have any weapons and was trailing behind me, which meant he had my approval.

In a secret office belonging to the Bianchi family, it was just the four of us: me, Noah, Francesco, and Noah's agent, Sergio. Sergio was a bit of a timid guy, handpicked by my father to be one of the agents. Unlike Francesco, who was a formal advisor or hitman for the family, Sergio was just a lawyer working for us.

But because Sergio was loyal to my father and one of his most trusted people, he had the authority to choose an heir and become their agent.

Though, like Noah, Sergio didn't seem too thrilled about that responsibility.

When he saw Noah arrive safely, Sergio wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a sigh of relief.

Sergio said, "Francesco, like I told you, Noah has no interest in inheriting the family business. He just wants to live a normal life. Maybe the family can make an exception for him?"

"No, no. Sergio, as long as Noah has the Bianchi bloodline, he's destined for more than an ordinary life. The rest of the family won't let him be that 'exception' who walks away." Francesco tapped his cane on the ground and shook his head.

His expression was kind, but his words made the room tense.

Francesco continued, "I've already told you, the only way to keep him safe in this heir war is to make the right choice."

Sergio asked, "But Noah being here, doesn't that mean he's made the right choice?"

"That's only half the battle." Francesco looked at me, "He needs to prove he truly submits to Marco."

I saw the concern in Francesco's eyes. He was a ruthless guy who preferred that I, like my father, eliminate my brothers to avoid any future problems.

Noah and Sergio were on edge, extremely nervous.

I looked at Francesco, who nodded at me, anticipating what was about to happen next—the terrifying, murderous, bloody scenes.

I knew what I had to do. I looked at my brother Noah, "Noah, if you truly submit to me, then stand there and don't move."

Before anyone could react, I quickly drew the gun Francesco had given me from my waist, pulled the trigger, and fired in Noah's direction. The bullet shot out and hit the picture frame on the wall.

After I fired, Noah let out a terrified scream, and even Francesco and Sergio stood up in shock; no one expected my actions.

Noah touched his ear, blood staining his palm, but he was still standing. The bullet hadn't taken his life, it was just a graze.

Francesco and Sergio breathed a sigh of relief, looking at me calmly putting the gun back at my waist, their expressions astonished.

"Marco, what are you doing?" Francesco demanded.

I calmly replied, "I'm doing what you wanted me to do. Noah's behavior completely proves his submission to me, Francesco."

I tossed a handkerchief to Noah so he could stop the bleeding from his ear.

My marksmanship was flawless; I intentionally aimed at the side of Noah's ear.

I didn't intend to follow Francesco's hint, even though he always acted like I couldn't let my brother live. But I didn't think that was his true intention, and it definitely wasn't mine.

Francesco wasn't asking Noah to prove his submission to me; that was just a cover. His real purpose was to test me, to see what kind of person I was.

Francesco and Sergio were putting on a show, and Noah was just an innocent player who had no clue about it.

If I had truly believed Francesco's hint and killed my brother, Francesco would likely have thought I was unfit to be the heir.

"Why didn't you kill him?" Francesco asked, pretending to be pissed off, tapping his cane on the ground with force.

I said calmly, "I had no reason to kill him after Noah submitted to me."

If I had killed Noah after he showed submission, it would only undermine the family's confidence in their resolve to follow me.

Then I saw Francesco and Sergio exchange a subtle glance, their eyes filled with satisfaction at my answer.

Noah also realized what was happening, looking at Francesco and Sergio in shock.

My brother Noah was smart enough; he quickly approached me, knelt down, and kissed the ring on my finger. It was a brief loyalty ceremony, and after this, Francesco couldn't force me to execute Noah.

Sergio smiled, but quickly coverd it with a cough. "Since Noah has shown his trust in Marco through his actions and expressed his determination to entrust his life to Marco, Francesco, I think you should respect the family member's choice."

Francesco grumbled a few words in dissatisfaction, then nodded reluctantly.

Noah breathed a sigh of relief, and so did I. We exchanged a glance, and then I patted his back, and he lightly punched my shoulder.

"Your reaction was so quick!" Noah whispered to me. "I almost thought I was going to die!"

"If you had really moved your head or taken even one step away, then you would have died, Noah," I replied with a smile.

The tense atmosphere in the office began to dissipate.

After testing me and witnessing Noah's loyalty to me, Francesco and Sergio still needed to discuss future cooperation.

I only needed to listen, and they would ask for my opinion when it came to making significant decisions.

Sergio said, "We still have some casino business and some accounts to settle. What was the name of the person Marco brought back to the family?"

Francesco said, "Albert, the one from the Garcia family. He's been managing the assets we took back from Abner."

"Oh right! We need to call him over. The family's business needs to be handled by a specialist. Is he reliable?" Sergio asked.

"You should ask Marco about that. He gets along well with Albert; they even went on a beach vacation together before." Francesco looked at me, waiting for my response.

I responded, "Albert is very good at management."

"I thought you trusted him, Marco," Francesco raised an eyebrow.

"I trust his abilities, but I have my reservations," I said.

Francesco stared at me. "Even though you have close connections with his sister? I thought you might have ulterior motives."

I paused, then looked sharply at Francesco. I wasn't surprised he mentioned Elena; he had many ways to know my whereabouts.

I was just wary of anyone who might pose a danger to Elena.

"I just consider all possibilities," I said coldly.

It was the truth, even if it might not align with Francesco's thoughts.

The personal motives Francesco referred to were not the same as mine. He believed I would show favoritism towards Albert due to Elena's presence, but in reality, the nature of my relationship with Elena and the information he possessed about it were not entirely congruent.

Albert was indeed an excellent financial manager, and it was very suitable for him to take over the family's legitimate business. But his attitude towards Elena made me hesitate. I knew this had nothing to do with his loyalty to the Bianchi family, and that was my ulterior motive.

Francesco nodded in satisfaction. "You are right. The family's leader should be rational. If you like Elena, maybe making her your mistress after confirming Albert's loyalty to the Bianchi family is a good choice?"

"No." I shook my head and refused. "If I like her, I won't make her my mistress."

Such words might seem laughable and naive to these old-timers, but I was serious.

I said, "I would prefer she chooses me willingly, rather than me choosing her. She is my only one."

As we were talking, Noah suddenly came over, took out his phone, and winked at me.

Noah asked, "Did you have a fight with Elena? Why would she call me instead of you?"

It was an unpleasant question, but considering Noah never said anything nice, I decided to pretend I didn't hear it.

"Why didn't you answer?" I frowned, glancing at the time.

It was already late at night; Elena might have something urgent to ask for his help.

Noah said, "Marco, I just didn't want you to misunderstand, so I let you know before answering the call."

I said, "I don't think I would misunderstand. Elena wouldn't be interested in a fool."

Noah said, "The real fool is right in front of me!"

Noah muttered, pouting, and pretended to be unhappy as he handed me the phone after answering the call, "I'm very busy right now, maybe you should take this call!"

Since I was eager to know what was wrong with Elena, I didn't comment on his behavior.

"Elena?" I called out her name, thinking about how to explain why Noah's phone was in my hand.

But I didn't have time; I couldn't even hear the second half of her sentence.

A familiar sense of agitation and unbearable discomfort enveloped me, akin to the emotions I felt when I reencountered Elena in the apartment. I thought I needed to be by her side.