Chapter 226 Emotional Blackmailing
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"Mother, you can't forceinto this!" Matteo protested, slamming the file shut in anger, his eyes burning with
frustration.
"Forcing you? Really?" His mother scoffed, her face twisting with irritation. "You owe us, Matteo Vinci! We gave
you life, raised you, made you the man you are today-and now, you have the audacity to argue with me?" Her
voice dripped with cold menace as she glared at him.
"This emotional manipulation won't work onthis time," Matteo shot back, his tone firm, though a flicker of
hesitation crossed his face.
His mother's eyes narrowed, her gaze hardening. She shook her head in warning. "Matteo, get this straight: you
will marry Lia. This marriage is essential for forming an alliance with the Vassallo family. Your father's company
needs their investment, and you can at least do this for us." Her voice was heavy with authority, making it clear
her decision was final.
Matteo huffed in frustration, his jaw tightening as he shifted his gaze to Lia. She was smirking, a smug look of
confidence plastered on her face, which only fueled the fire inside him. But what could he do? His family was
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtpushing him into this marriage, blackmailing him with every card they had.
He was ready to compromise-after all, this marriage was nothing more than an alliance to him, a business
transaction. But suddenly something about it didn't sit right anymore. What had once seemed like a simple, cold
agreement now felt different. He didn't feel as sure as he had before, something was holding him back, gnawing
at him from within. But what?
He needed to find that answer. Every the tried to focus and make sense of it, only one thing cto mind:
Emily. Her face flashed in his thoughts, leaving him even more confused. She wasn't interested in him, had made
that clear. She didn't want anything to do with him.
So why couldn't he stop thinking about her? Why did her presence linger in his mind, unsettling him in ways he
couldn't explain?
God, was he really losing his mind? Or was he just becoming delusional? One thing was certain: he needed to get
over Emily. And there was only one way he thought could do that-sleep with her and get her out of his system
once and for all.
"Mrs. Vinci, do be so harsh on Matt. He's stressed, and we shouldn't pressure him too much," Lia's sugary voice
cut through his daydream, pulling him back to reality-away from the fantasy of a woman he knew was
untouchable.
"I'm sorry, Matt. You're stuck in this situation because of me," Lia continued, her tone dripping with false
sweetness. "But | promise, after we're married, I'll be a good wife. I'll take away all your worries. My father has
considerable wealth, and he's more than willing to fund your overseas expansion," she added, beaming with
pride.
Matteo forced a smile, fully aware that her sugary words were nothing more than part of her act. Her sweetness
was as fake as her concern, and he saw through it all. He didn't need Lia's father's money-he had earned his
success through hard work and had enough money to expand his law firm all over the world.
In fact, it was her father who needed him now. The nMatteo Vinci, world-renowned attorney, would boost
the value of her father's company and help cover up the shady dealings that had taken place within the
business-if Lia married him. 1/2
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Chapter 226 Emotional Blackmailing 150%
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"You're right, my dear," Matteo's mother said, gently touching Lia's hand with affection, and she turned her gaze
to Matteo, her voice softening. "Continue with your work, Matt, and don't mindbeing stern with you. But,
son, understand this-you're my only hope. I've endured so much, and now all | want is to spend my old age in
peace."
She was using her emotional trump card again, fully aware of how sentimental Matteo was when it cto
family. No matter how tough or indifferent he tried to appear, he always jumped to help them the moment they
asked.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"And just look at Lia," his mother added with a soft smile, as Lia blushed shyly. Matteo rolled his eyes in
frustration, but his mother didn't stop. She pressed on, her voice dripping with admiration. "She's such a lovely
girl, and she truly cares about you. You both make a great couple."
Though his frustration grew with each passing second, Matteo sighed quietly and leaned back in his chair.
"Mother, if you don't have anything else to say, can | please get back to my work?" he replied, his tone
indifferent.
His mother only smiled, knowing she had won and Matteo had silently agreed to her demands.
"Alright, alright, son. Chsoon. I'll make dinner-all your favorite dishes," she chimed, as if she knew what
his favorite food even was, let alone how to cook it. No, she didn't.
Matteo wanted to retort so badly, but he held his tongue, unwilling to drag out the conversation and waste any
more time. He had more important things to focus on.
"Okay, bye, Matt," Lia chirped in a charming voice, but Matteo didn't respond; he had already reopened the case
file and was studying it intently. For a brief moment, a dark expression crossed Lia's face as she stared at
Matteo, her gaze filled with a menacing determination. Then, just as quickly, she masked her true intentions with
a sweet smile and turned to Matteo's mother.
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