Soro / The Scent of a Wolf

"Family matters... are far more complex than they appear."

It was at this time that Maria finally learned about Madam Sicily's situation.

She was originally a henchman for the Sicily Family, but was later accepted as a member after saving the family's reputation in several battles.

Unfortunately, the Sicily Family didn't have much of a pie in Siracusa to begin with, and her arrival would inevitably mean taking away the remaining resources. The elders in the family disagreed, so she was sent to Columbia under the guise of pioneering work.

But to their surprise, in addition to being a skilled fighter, Madam Sicily also possessed an astonishing strategic vision. With just simple support, she had already developed a branch family in Sicily that was in no way inferior to the main family.

This made them both satisfied with Madam Sicily and wary, and they repeatedly suggested taking Madam Sicily back to Siracusa and sending other new people to take over this 'vulgar and tiring' work.

To put it bluntly, they were just greedy beasts who initially found them troublesome and sent them away, but then tried to seize that wealth after Madam Sicily became rich.

Unfortunately, under Madam Sicily's arrangement, their plan never succeeded... but they did not give up because of this, but continued to keep an eye on things from the shadows.

As for the Poporo Winery, not only did Madam Sicily put in a lot of effort, but Siracusa also provided a great deal of help.

This mistake gave the other side an excellent excuse.

Madam Sicily now faces not only the pressure of strategic mistakes, but also the intense pressure from those greedy members of her family.

This really worried her a lot.

The other person's physical condition was deteriorating at a rate that was almost visible to the naked eye.

From initially going out without needing any makeup at all, she now has to use some makeup to cover up her haggard appearance.

These past few days, she's only been able to smile a little when she's alone with Maria and her daughter.

Fortunately, thanks to her tireless efforts, the Texas Family, who were initially the least likely to attend but were also the most crucial, finally agreed to Madam Sicily's invitation on the morning of the banquet.

This made her extremely happy.

Maria couldn't comprehend this joy; she simply sat upstairs, waiting for everything to unfold.

Of course, Maria had the patience to wait, but the baby in her arms did not.

Just as Maria was leaning back in her chair reading a book, the baby, who should have been fast asleep, suddenly started crying.

The chubby little hands grasped at the air haphazardly.

"Um?"

Maria examined the girl's body and, after confirming that the girl hadn't excreted anything, finally made that determination.

Are you hungry?

This is troublesome.

After searching for a while, Maria frowned and discovered that the original formula was finished.

There was no other formula milk prepared in the room.

This left Maria with no choice but to temporarily place her finger near the girl's lips and let her suckle, while she got up to find Madam Sicily and ask where the child could get the nutrition he needed.

And that was right after Maria went downstairs.

Two men slowly walked towards her.

Maria saw the man's gangster-like attire, nodded slightly, and prepared to leave.

But then the other person noticed the baby in Maria's arms, frowned, and reached out his hand.

"Wait a moment..."

Chapter 103 Soro

"Wait a moment."

Just when Maria thought the other person was some guest and she didn't need to pay attention to them...

Suddenly, the other person reached out and blocked Maria's path.

"You... you're not from the Sicily Family, are you?"

A slightly shorter, overweight man, smoking a cigar, looked at Maria.

He looked Maria up and down several times without any politeness, before his gaze fell on the child in Maria's arms.

The baby had already grown some hair, though it was still very light, but anyone with eyes could see that it was light yellow hair... while Maria had a head of white hair.

"Is this your child?"

The obese man frowned and asked another question.

Maria simply turned her head away and silently looked at the other person.

"Yes."

"... show me."

As the man spoke, he reached out, as if to hug the baby and confirm something.

But Maria simply waved her hand silently.

Before anyone around could react, the cigar the man was holding had been cut in half.

The lit piece fell to the ground silently.

"It's best to keep babies away from bad things like tobacco."

Maria walked past the other person indifferently and continued carrying the baby away.

This completely indifferent, even provocative, attitude instantly enraged the obese man.

But what puzzled him even more was the existence of the baby.

After a long silence, he waved his hand.

After hesitating for a few seconds, the thugs on the side straightened up and strode forward, trying to stop Maria.

But clearly, they still underestimated each other's strength.

Although Maria appears slender, everyone who has fought her is terrified by her despair-inducing power.

Before the thugs could even place their hands on Maria's shoulders, they felt their vision blurring.

A moment later, they fell heavily to the ground.

For those who live on the edge, this pain is practically nothing.

However, the overwhelming power displayed made them feel uneasy.

They got up and looked at each other, each with a blank expression like that of a baby.

Clearly, no one saw how Maria did it.

Meanwhile, the obese man's brows were furrowed deeply.

He didn't really want to cause trouble. In fact, his initial purpose was just to see the baby and confirm whether it was the child of the Madam Sicily, as rumored.

But Maria's unyielding attitude gradually made him angry.

Seeing that the thugs were ineffective, he decisively grabbed the gun hidden in his black coat.

But instead of immediately escaping with the items, he threatened in a low, slow tone.

"Madam, I don't want things to become too unpleasant..."

"..."

Maria stopped in her tracks, silently turned her head, and looked at the other person.

His indifferent gaze made the man's eyebrows almost sink in.

"I just want to see your lovely baby... I feel that, regardless of who you came here as, as a member of the Sicily Family, this request shouldn't be too much to ask, don't you think?"

He clearly didn't realize the seriousness of the situation, and his repeated attempts to stop her had gradually made Maria lose patience.

She should have expressed her refusal from the very beginning.

Those who displease her... usually don't have a good ending...

Just as a conflict seemed about to erupt, the sound of footsteps gradually approached.

"Gentlemen, what happened here?"

The person who came was Madam Sicily.

For today's banquet, she specially changed into her most expensive handmade silk dress... It was a precious fabric brought from Yan in the east of Terra. Even the socialites of Columbia would be proud of a handmade handkerchief made of silk.

Madam Sicily, however, wore a dress that was clearly one-piece construction... which made her already elegant and graceful figure even more alluring.

She chuckled softly, came to Maria's side, and stared wide-eyed at the baby.

"Is this your offspring? They look so adorable."

"... Thank you for the compliment."

"Oh, I forgot to introduce you, Uncle Soro." Madam Sicily remained very composed, continuing to speak in calm words even as she faced the man who was clearly enraged.

"This is Miss Maria from Victoria, an ancient noblewoman..."

"... noble."

Upon hearing Madam Sicily's explanation, the man, who had initially been somewhat arrogant, subtly changed his expression.

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"I'm sorry, I was being sensitive and rude..."

"... It's alright."

Maria glanced at the other person and spoke softly.

Although Madam Sicily only spoke up to help Maria out of her predicament, she was unaware that Maria did indeed come from a noble family.

In just a moment, she adjusted her posture.

From its previously droopy posture, ready to enter the battlefield at any moment, it became more upright, more elegant and proud.

Her gaze swept slightly, and her sharp edge made everyone afraid to meet her eyes.

This is something that cannot be described in words.

With just a slight change in demeanor, Maria's aura seemed to expand several times over.

This imposing aura dispelled the last vestige of doubt in the man's heart.

Now, the only question remaining in his mind was: how did Madam Sicily get involved with the Victoria aristocracy?

Why would this unknown nobleman be present at a family banquet?

Of course, neither Maria Madam Sicily would answer these questions for him.

Maria simply turned her head, winked at Madam Sicily without making a sound, and then continued speaking.

"Thank you so much for allowing me to bring my child here, but it's a little embarrassing to say, my child still needs nutrition..."

"I think I understand. You don't need to force yourself to say those inappropriate words. Please come with me."

Madam Sicily immediately understood Maria's meaning. After nodding, she also gestured to the man beside her, then turned and left with Maria.

Soro remained where he was.

Beside him, a family member who had followed him leaned close to his ear.

"That child..."

"... Let's not delve into it further for now."

Soro was silent for a moment, then waved his hand.

Siracusa was powerful, but its family's influence was clearly inferior to that of the nobles from Victoria.

It's best if they don't delve too deeply into this matter.

He watched Maria and Madam Sicily walk away into the distance, his gaze thoughtful.

Chapter 104 The Scent of Wolves

"I'm sorry... I've disrupted your plans and schedule."

Hiding in the empty room, Maria drew the curtains, and after making sure no one was following her, she quietly leaned against the door and silently apologized to Madam Sicily was not far away.