Chapter 17: The Four Rulers
After meeting Leo, he headed home—but sadness clung to him like a shadow.
His heart felt unbearably heavy for two reasons.
First, he had disappointed his elders.
And second… for a reason far more dangerous.
Meanwhile, in Valley Lily, a grave conversation was unfolding.
"We underestimated them," the Silent Duchess said coldly. "That was our mistake. We cannot take them lightly anymore. They will come for us. From now on, we plan—carefully."
It was the first time in history that people had seen the Silent Duchess this serious.
The room fell into an uneasy silence.
"Who exactly are the Four Rulers?" a reporter finally asked.
"How did they earn such a terrifying name?"
Valley Lily smirked. "They're far more dangerous than you make them sound," she said, her tone teasing—but her eyes were sharp.
The Four Rulers
First— Cleo.
A woman without a heart when it came to business.
She earned her black belt at just five years old. Her mother, Helena, was a legendary master of boxing, karate, and multiple martial arts—a woman who had won countless medals in her prime. Helena poured every ounce of her skill into her children, Cleo and Leo.
Helena believed Cleo could surpass even the Four Rulers themselves.
But she stopped pushing her limits because of Realiana's mother.
All of Helena's grace, strength, and power passed to Cleo.
Recognizing her talent, Cleo's father, Michel, decided to raise her as a mafia heir. By the age of ten, Cleo had already entered the underworld.
"Wow… she's incredible," the reporter whispered, her eyes sparkling.
"What about the others?"
Michel.
A powerful and filthy-rich man.
He began building his empire at a young age—robbing banks and investing the stolen money into ruthless ventures. Day by day, his power grew. Eventually, he fell in love with Helena, and together they created two terrifyingly powerful children.
George.
Born into wealth.
He murdered his own father after discovering that the man despised his mother for another woman. His mother had suffered endlessly—for George and for his younger brother, Enzo.
After his father's death, George inherited everything: money, influence, and secrets. That was when he learned the truth—his father had been deeply involved in smuggling, with the police and media completely under his control.
Once George entered the mafia, he fall in love with Realiana's mother.
Little is known about her. She married, had two beautiful and kind children… and then died.
After her death, George changed.
Completely.
"These are the details we know," Valley Lily said calmly. "But in my opinion… Leo's mother and Realiana's mother were connected long before they ever met their husbands."
"Every mafia has its own story," the Silent Duchess said quietly.
"A story so dark that no one dares to step into that hell."
The reporter swallowed nervously.
"Then… what's your story?"
Valley Lily smiled. "That's enough for today. Let's get back to the point."
Elsewhere, during a private meeting, the four were visibly disappointed.
Then George spoke—his words sharp enough to break hearts.
"Drop Realiana at my house."