Chapter 12- Do you want more?

Capone ignored her teary red eyes and turned to Mandy, asking calmly, "Any news from Lucas?"

"The people who ambushed us halfway were ordered by Lucas. Old Donkin's health is deteriorating, and the power struggle among his subordinates is fierce. Lucas is the most likely candidate to take over the Donkin family, and besides having the status of a prospective son-in-law, he obviously needs to make some achievements to establish his authority."

"So he's focusing all his efforts on dealing with me?" Capone sat down, noticing how Sophia, like an angry little bunny, was being dragged aside by Diana, which inexplicably improved his mood.

"It's not surprising. The Franklin family was once the biggest rival of the Donkin family. If it weren't for the fight with us, the Donkin family wouldn't have declined so quickly! Lucas was originally one of us, and it's because of him that the Donkin family managed to make a comeback over the years. If he could severely weaken us in one go, it would not only greatly enhance his prestige and status, but old Donkin would also trust his loyalty even more. It's a win-win, and Lucas is still as ruthless as ever."

Joey interjected disdainfully, "I think he's just a typical ungrateful bastard. After everything Stephen did for him, after all we brothers did for him, he turned his back on us in a heartbeat and went running to cozy up with the enemy! Competing with us for business and territory was one thing, but now he's coming straight for our lives. If we don't show him some colors, we'll be in deep trouble!"

Capone smiled, "He alone might not be capable, but with a mole working with him from the inside, it's a different story."

Everyone stiffened at the realization. Cronus asked seriously, "Boss, are you sure there's a mole?"

"Yeah, this mole has been among us for quite some time. He's familiar with all of IDGM Capital's businesses and knows the details of all our brothers. Not only does he have connections with Lucas, but he's also tried to get the police to take us down. This person's ambitions are likely even greater than Lucas'. He wants to see everything we, the Franklin family, have built destroyed! And he's one of us, yet holds a grudge as deep as the ocean!"

Capone's words brought about a brief silence. Whether in the underworld or the business world, betrayal and infiltration were the most feared. The fact that they had built such deep bonds since their youth, only to discover that one of their brothers was lying in wait to deliver a fatal blow, was a feeling too complex to describe.

"Could it be related to the Diaz family?" Mandy's gaze coldly fell on Sophia Diaz. He would rather believe that it was a misunderstanding caused by an outsider than admit that the mole might be one of their own.

Capone noticed Sophia's body stiffen noticeably as she struggled to restrain herself from turning around to ask what was going on, which he found somewhat amusing. He had anticipated her reaction, but since he didn't avoid discussing these matters in front of her, it meant he was well aware of her and her Diaz family's intentions. Besides, he wasn't worried that she would run away.

"The Diaz family should have nothing to do with Lucas. They've been busy looking for someone recently, and these tricks wouldn't benefit their little princess, right? But we can watch their reaction to decide our next move."

"Boss, you mean…"

"Yeah, it's better to have more friends than more enemies. The Donkin family is now financially strong, and with someone like Lucas rising to power, fighting them alone might weaken us. Having allies would naturally make things easier."

Sophia couldn't listen any longer and rushed to the dining table, angrily saying, "Capone, you're despicable! You can forget about using the Diaz family to help you in your ruthless struggles. My boss, Matthew, won't let you succeed!"

Capone looked at her with a smile and slowly said, "Not even if it costs you your life and freedom?"

"You…" Sophia felt that she had no strength left, but her anger kept boiling up, causing her vision to blur and darken.

"Hey, this is a conversation between men! Why are you interrupting? Stop shouting and show some respect!"

Seeing that she was on the verge of rushing forward, Joey stood up to block her, giving her a push. It didn't seem like he used much force, yet Sophia collapsed as if she were made of paper.

"Sophia!" Diana and Cronus, driven by instinct, were about to rush over, but Capone was faster.

Sophia lay in his arms, her face pale, with the capillaries on her eyelids clearly visible. Her breathing was faint, and she didn't respond when called.

"Boss, quickly take her to a room. Let me check on her!" Cronus suggested from the side.

Capone picked Sophia up and shot Joey a fierce glare as he carried her to the next room.

"I… I really didn't use much force. How was I supposed to know she'd faint like that!" Joey looked innocent and bewildered.

"It's not your fault. You're not the one who didn't feed her any pasta!" Diana consoled him coolly.

Though she was trained as a forensic pathologist, her diagnosis matched that of Cronus, a doctor who treated the living—Sophia had fainted due to hypoglycemia caused by hunger.

"Get up and eat something now that you're awake!" Capone's tone was still commanding, but it had softened considerably.

Seeing him reach out to help her sit up, Sophia recoiled from his touch as if avoiding the plague, saying, "Don't touch me, you're filthy!"

Capone's anger flared instantly. He pinned her hand to the pillow and snarled through clenched teeth, "You'll have to put up with it, filth and all—you don't have the right to despise me!"

Sophia struggled, causing the glucose needle in the back of her hand to come loose. Blood splattered out, burning him just like her tears did.

"Fine, I don't care about you anymore! You don't want to eat? Then live or die, it's up to you!" He released her and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. At the door, he gave orders to those outside, "From now on, don't give her a bite of pasta or a drop of water. Let's see how long she can last!"

Sophia began to sob uncontrollably. She hadn't forgotten Diana's words, but she had truly done her best. How could she possibly get along with this vile man who hated her and her family, and who planned to use her family's business to fight his other enemies?

Was she really going to die here?

Sophia didn't know how she drifted back to sleep, only that her body felt light, but her eyelids were too heavy to open—until she was once again held in someone's arms.

"Matthew…" she mumbled. This embrace had a warmth and scent similar to her Matthew Diaz's, making her instinctively want to nestle in.

"I want to go home… Matthew, I want to go home… He bullies me… I feel so bad…" Whenever she was bullied as a child, it was always Matthew who stood up for her.

"If you feel so bad, then wake up!" The owner of the embrace seemed to be worried.

"He's with other women… it's so disgusting, so disgusting…"

Sophia's tears slipped down, and long, cool fingers wiped them away. The embrace tightened slightly.

Sophia didn't speak anymore, only occasionally letting out intermittent sobs.

Cronus walked in, carrying a medical kit, and sternly warned Capone, "Boss, she hasn't eaten for over 48 hours. Her condition is getting serious. Let me take care of her!"

Capone nodded and stood up, glancing at the person on the bed before heading outside. At the door, he encountered Diana, who was carrying a large bowl of plain porridge. He didn't say anything, but Diana noticed the deep furrow in his brow.

"Are you really so book-smart that you're clueless?" Cronus remarked to Diana as he hooked Sophia up to a glucose drip. "The boss said not to bring her any pasta or water—couldn't you have secretly brought her something? Now look at this mess, everyone's scrambling around, and if she really dies, that'll be a huge problem!"

Diana lowered her head, her short black hair sliding down to cover her eyes. She shrugged noncommittally. "I don't dare disobey Capone, and besides, isn't that what you're here for? Nothing to worry about!"

"Nothing to worry about? I only know how to treat the living. What if she dies?"

"If she dies, she's mine!" Diana, being a forensic pathologist, would only deal with people after they died.

Cronus was nearly infuriated by her, snorting through his nose before yanking off his gloves and storming out. Diana watched him leave, a faint shadow passing over her gaze.

Sophia woke up to the smell of food. She was starving, she wanted to go home, and she dreamed of Matthew Diaz holding her and speaking to her in a low voice.

But when she opened her eyes, all she saw was Capone sitting by the bed. On the bedside table next to him was a steaming cup of milk.

She looked at him, and he stared back without saying a word. Finally, Sophia's eyes reddened, and she choked out, "Just kill me!"

She might never be able to go home again, but if he wanted her life, couldn't he at least make it quick?

Capone continued to stare at her. "I'd like to."

She was too hungry; the sight of food triggered a primal response she couldn't resist.

She drank slowly, thinking that maybe he would lose patience after a while and leave the spoon for her to eat on her own, so she could devour it quickly.

But it seemed she never could predict Capone, as he showed no signs of impatience. He fed her methodically and with extreme patience, until the bowl was empty.

"Do you want more?"

"No!" Sophia turned her head away in defiance.

Capone stood up. "That's fine, Cronus said you should eat sparingly since you just woke up."