Chapter 3

Sienna POV

The next morning, I arrived punctually at the Syndicate Academy.

The training grounds of the Syndicate Academy were vast and sprawling, inherently carrying an intimidating aura.

The outdoor shooting range was heavily enclosed by towering concrete walls, with heavily armed guards patrolling the perimeter strictly. This was where the elite mafia families sent their heirs to train, teaching them how to fight and survive in this ruthless world.

I arrived punctually, not a second late, bypassing the bustling crowd and heading straight for the viewing area dedicated to the first-grade heirs.

The VIP box was located right behind the firing line, undoubtedly the prime seat with the best view in the entire venue. That was supposed to be the exclusive seat reserved specifically for the heir's biological mother.

Yet at this moment, the person sitting there was Elena.

She was wearing a custom-tailored, slim-fit jacket printed with the Romano family's exclusive colors. That was the limited-edition family set I had specially ordered half a month ago for this very event.

I bought three sets. One for me, and the other two for Lucian and Leo.

I had to pull a lot of strings in the underworld just to get my hands on that gear.

Now, my set was being worn by Elena.

She leaned against the railing, using a silk handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat from Leo's forehead.

Leo clutched a small training pistol in his hand, looking up at her. His young face was filled with unreserved adoration and admiration.

The other mafia wives were chatting with them.

"Mrs. Romano, your boy is so fast," one wife praised. "Your family of three looks so sharp in those matching outfits."

Elena blushed deeply. She didn't deny the title of 'Mrs. Romano'.

"Thank you. Leo has always loved training," she smiled sweetly.

I stood nearby for a moment, watching their perfect, harmonious picture.

There was a time when I, too, had fantasized about our family of three competing together.

For this day, I had spent a month training with Leo on the obstacle course.

But now, someone else was reaping the rewards of my labor.

I walked straight over.

I stopped right in front of Elena.

A few mafia wives who actually recognized me immediately shifted their gazes, the atmosphere instantly turning suffocatingly awkward.

Sensing the shift in the air, Elena looked up.

Seeing me, she instantly stood up, her face full of panic.

"Sienna, what are you doing here?" she stammered. "Lucian said you were busy today and asked me to accompany Leo instead."

Leo ran over and shoved me hard.

"Why are you here? We don't need you!" he yelled. "Aunt Elena is my mother now. Go away!"

Lucian stepped forward, shielding Leo behind his broad back.

"Sienna, can you stop causing a scene in public?" he warned in a low, dangerous hiss. "Leo wants Elena to run the three-legged tactical race with him. Your presence is only going to distract the boy."

I looked at him calmly.

"I'm not here to run a race," I said.

I pulled out my phone, opened the banking app, and smoothly pulled up the payment QR code for my offshore account. I held the screen high, shoving it right in front of Lucian's face.

"Three million dollars," I spoke up, my volume just loud enough for the eavesdropping mafia wives around us to hear clearly, "the occupation fee for the VIP Mother's Seat. Pay it right now."

The surrounding mafia wives instantly fell dead silent. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

Lucian's face turned a deep, furious shade of red.

He clearly hadn't expected me to extort him publicly in front of the entire elite underworld.

"Are you insane?!" he gritted his teeth, glaring at me. "Have you completely lost your bottom line for money?"

I held the phone steady, my expression unchanged.

"She occupied my seat, so you pay the price," I stated flatly. "That's the rule."

Elena looked like she was about to cry.

"Sienna, I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean to," she whimpered. "I'll give the seat back to you right now."

She reached up to unzip the tactical jacket.

Lucian clamped his hand down over hers.

"Do not take it off," he ordered.

He pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling with rage as he authorized the transfer.

"Three million. You have it," he spat viciously. "Take the money and disappear. Don't ever let me or Leo see your face again."

Ding.

Three million dollars cleared.

I looked at the balance in my offshore account. It had perfectly reached twenty-five million.

"As you wish," I said.

I pocketed my phone and turned toward the administration building.

The Academy Director's office was on the third floor.

I pushed open the heavy glass doors and walked in. The Director was sitting properly behind his desk. Seeing me arrive so suddenly, a hint of surprise flashed across his face.

"Mrs. Romano," he spoke, "the assessment is still ongoing. What brings you here?"

I reached out, unzipped my handbag, and placed the declaration renouncing legal guardianship, along with the blood-protection transfer documents, flatly and neatly onto his mahogany desk.

"Ms. Moretti, are you absolutely certain about this?" the Director asked, his expression gravely serious. "Once these documents are entered into the syndicate registry, you will no longer be Leo Romano's legal guardian."

"His future education, his family protection, and even his medical authorizations will have absolutely nothing to do with you."

I looked out the window at the training grounds.

Lucian, Elena, and Leo were running the three-legged race together.

They tripped and fell onto the grass, laughing joyously.

I withdrew my gaze. "I am certain."

My voice was hollow and numb, yet carried an unquestionable absolute resolve:

"I am completely done with this place."