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A Strange System: Matteo's Rebirth Chapter 26
The Dark Secrets of Lily De Cannio For weeks, Matteo had been wrestling with memories of his stepmother, Lily De Cannio, the woman who had shaped much of his pain. But tonight, it wasn’t just her cruel words or manipulative schemes that haunted him—it was the darkest part of her world, the shadowy underbelly that had pulled him in against his will. Lily De Cannio had been more than a tyrannical stepmother. Beneath her socialite persona lay a woman deeply entrenched in illegal activities, including the drug trade. And Matteo, young and powerless, had been one of her pawns. The Revelation of a Double Life Matteo had been just fourteen when he first stumbled upon the truth. It was a late night, and the mansion was quiet. Unable to sleep, he had wandered downstairs, hoping to sneak a snack from the kitchen. But as he passed the study, hushed voices stopped him in his tracks. Curiosity got the better of him. Peeking through the slightly ajar door, he saw Lily sitting at her desk, flank
A Strange System: Matteo's Rebirth Chapter 27
A Pawn in the GamesMatteo remembered how he wondered the streets of Millan were not a place for a teenager to wander alone, let alone one carrying a backpack filled with illegal substances. Matteo’s footsteps echoed against the wet cobblestones as he walked through the alleyways of the city, his heart pounding in his chest. He adjusted the straps of his bag nervously, his eyes darting to every side.This wasn’t the life he had envisioned for himself. Just a few years ago, Matteo had been a bright and ambitious boy, full of dreams. But those dreams had been crushed under the weight of Lily De Cannio’s cruelty. Now, he is a tool in her empire, a pawn forced into the dangerous world of drug dealing.A Lonely WalkMatteo’s thoughts wandered as he made his way to the first drop-off point. The instructions were always the same: go to the designated location, wait for the buyer, exchange the goods, and walk away. No small talk, no deviations, and most importantly, no mistakes.The night was
A Strange System: Matteo's Rebirth Chapter 28
The Breaking PointMatteo remembered how he used to walked the rain-slicked streets of Millan, as he made his way home. His backpack, heavy with cash and contraband, hung loosely from his shoulders. The weight of it felt like a constant reminder of the life he had been forced into, a life dictated by his cruel stepmother, Lily De Cannio. But that might, as he walked through the murky streets, something within him stirred. The anger, the shame, the hopelessness—all of it boiled to the surface.He stopped under the lights of a streetlamp, taking a deep breath and rubbing his face in frustration. His reflection in the puddle before him showed a tired, defeated boy. The boy who once had hopes, dreams, and aspirations. The boy who had wanted more for himself. Now, that boy felt buried beneath the weight of his mistakes and the invisible chains Lily had bound him with. His fingers trembled as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled picture of his parents. He stared at their smi
A Strange System: Matteo's Rebirth Chapter 29
The Millan Prison DaysMatteo sat alone in the dark corner of the small apartment Clara had offered him. It had been weeks since he had left the streets of Millan behind, weeks since he had seen his stepmother, Lily, or had to deal with the endless drug deals, the threats, and the fear that had once consumed his every waking moment. But even now, the memories lingered like a dark cloud over him. The past would never let him go, no matter how far he ran. Tonight, as he sat in silence, the images came rushing back. His mind flashed to the cold nights in Millan, to the days he had spent in the very heart of the criminal underworld—his prison.---The Dark BeginningsMilan, with all its promises of opportunity and freedom, had quickly revealed its darker side to Matteo. After his father’s tragic death, when his world shattered and Lily moved in with her cruel hand on his life, the city became his prison. He had no escape, no sanctuary, no safe place to hide. In those first few months af
A Strange System: Matteo's Rebirth Chapter 1
Where Am I?Matteo De Cannio's eyes flickered open, the stark white ceiling above him a glaring contrast to the dim alleys he had last walked. His body felt heavy, a dull ache throbbing in his chest and limbs. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled his nose, mingling with the rhythmic beeping of monitors.He squinted against the fluorescent light, his mind clawing for answers. Where am I?Memories surged forward like a violent tide. The dirty streets of Naples. The cold, hard stares of strangers. The police sirens blaring behind him. A shot fired, the sensation of cold pavement against his cheek. Matteo sucked in a sharp breath, his chest tightening.He wasn’t supposed to be alive.With great effort, he turned his head to the side, taking in the sight of a modest hospital room. Machines beeped steadily next to his bed, their wires connected to his arms. A window to his left revealed an unfamiliar to him, shrouded in early morning fog. This wasn’t Italy.Before he could fully process
A Strange System: Matteo's Rebirth Chapter 2
The Mysterious SystemMatteo awoke to the steady hum of machinery and the faint scent of antiseptic. His head felt clearer now, the fog from earlier lifting slightly, but the gnawing questions remained. Where was he, truly? Who had brought him here? And why was there an unshakable feeling that something—or someone—was watching him?He rubbed his temples, trying to will the fragments of his memory into coherence. The chase, the shouting, the gunfire—it all played like a broken reel in his mind. He barely noticed the nurse returning to check his vitals, her warm smile as routine as the beep of the machines."Feeling better, Matteo?" she asked, her tone friendly but professional."A little," he murmured, not meeting her eyes. Something about his situation felt... off.The nurse nodded, adjusting the IV in his arm. "Good. Let us know if you need anything. Rest is your best medicine now."As she left, Matteo’s gaze wandered to the bland walls of the room. Suddenly, a faint glow appeared i
A Strange System: Matteo's Rebirth Chapter 3
The Secrets The chill of the London night hit Matteo like a slap, but he barely noticed. His mind raced, replaying the events of the last hour in vivid detail. The System, the shadowy man, the abilities he had somehow gained—none of it made sense, yet it was all undeniably real. His body still thrummed with the energy of [Rapid Regeneration], and the lingering sensation of [Shadow Step] left him hyper-aware of the darkness around him.Objective:Find Safe Shelter.Suggested Location: Abandoned Warehouse near King’s Cross Station.The glowing text appeared again, unobtrusive but persistent. Matteo frowned, the name of the location triggering a faint memory. King’s Cross—his father used to bring him there as a child. He could almost hear his father’s laughter, see the way his eyes sparkled when he spoke about their family’s legacy.Legacy. That word struck Matteo like a blow. His family’s empire, once vast and unshakable, had crumbled after his father’s death. Lily, his manipulative
A Strange System: Matteo's Rebirth Chapter 4
The Vault and the VeilThe next morning Matteo stood in the streets of central London, his hands shoved into the pockets of a stolen jacket. He couldn’t blend in completely, not with the sense of urgency radiating from his every step. The Royal Crest Bank towered ahead of him, its pristine glass facade reflecting the city’s overcast skies.Objective Reminder:Obtain access credentials from Royal Crest Bank’s VIP manager.Reward:[Master of Disguise] - Temporarily alter appearance to avoid detection.Matteo’s jaw tightened. He had no plan, no resources, and no allies. But he did have the System, an advantage he still barely understood but couldn’t afford to question. As he approached the bank, the System chimed in.Threat Level: High. Suggestion: Reconnaissance before engagement.The words flickered in his vision, and Matteo sighed. “Right. Recon first.”He circled the building, his keen eyes picking out every detail. Cameras at every corner. Security guards stationed at the entrance
Latest Chapter
Chapter 29
The Millan Prison DaysMatteo sat alone in the dark corner of the small apartment Clara had offered him. It had been weeks since he had left the streets of Millan behind, weeks since he had seen his stepmother, Lily, or had to deal with the endless drug deals, the threats, and the fear that had once consumed his every waking moment. But even now, the memories lingered like a dark cloud over him. The past would never let him go, no matter how far he ran. Tonight, as he sat in silence, the images came rushing back. His mind flashed to the cold nights in Millan, to the days he had spent in the very heart of the criminal underworld—his prison.---The Dark BeginningsMilan, with all its promises of opportunity and freedom, had quickly revealed its darker side to Matteo. After his father’s tragic death, when his world shattered and Lily moved in with her cruel hand on his life, the city became his prison. He had no escape, no sanctuary, no safe place to hide. In those first few months af
Chapter 28
The Breaking PointMatteo remembered how he used to walked the rain-slicked streets of Millan, as he made his way home. His backpack, heavy with cash and contraband, hung loosely from his shoulders. The weight of it felt like a constant reminder of the life he had been forced into, a life dictated by his cruel stepmother, Lily De Cannio. But that might, as he walked through the murky streets, something within him stirred. The anger, the shame, the hopelessness—all of it boiled to the surface.He stopped under the lights of a streetlamp, taking a deep breath and rubbing his face in frustration. His reflection in the puddle before him showed a tired, defeated boy. The boy who once had hopes, dreams, and aspirations. The boy who had wanted more for himself. Now, that boy felt buried beneath the weight of his mistakes and the invisible chains Lily had bound him with. His fingers trembled as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled picture of his parents. He stared at their smi
Chapter 27
A Pawn in the GamesMatteo remembered how he wondered the streets of Millan were not a place for a teenager to wander alone, let alone one carrying a backpack filled with illegal substances. Matteo’s footsteps echoed against the wet cobblestones as he walked through the alleyways of the city, his heart pounding in his chest. He adjusted the straps of his bag nervously, his eyes darting to every side.This wasn’t the life he had envisioned for himself. Just a few years ago, Matteo had been a bright and ambitious boy, full of dreams. But those dreams had been crushed under the weight of Lily De Cannio’s cruelty. Now, he is a tool in her empire, a pawn forced into the dangerous world of drug dealing.A Lonely WalkMatteo’s thoughts wandered as he made his way to the first drop-off point. The instructions were always the same: go to the designated location, wait for the buyer, exchange the goods, and walk away. No small talk, no deviations, and most importantly, no mistakes.The night was
Chapter 26
The Dark Secrets of Lily De Cannio For weeks, Matteo had been wrestling with memories of his stepmother, Lily De Cannio, the woman who had shaped much of his pain. But tonight, it wasn’t just her cruel words or manipulative schemes that haunted him—it was the darkest part of her world, the shadowy underbelly that had pulled him in against his will. Lily De Cannio had been more than a tyrannical stepmother. Beneath her socialite persona lay a woman deeply entrenched in illegal activities, including the drug trade. And Matteo, young and powerless, had been one of her pawns. The Revelation of a Double Life Matteo had been just fourteen when he first stumbled upon the truth. It was a late night, and the mansion was quiet. Unable to sleep, he had wandered downstairs, hoping to sneak a snack from the kitchen. But as he passed the study, hushed voices stopped him in his tracks. Curiosity got the better of him. Peeking through the slightly ajar door, he saw Lily sitting at her desk, flank
Chapter 25
Breaking the ChainsMatteo’s memories were a storm he could no longer hold back. He felt the weight of his past pressing down on him. For all he had accomplished, the ghosts of his childhood continued to haunt him.The memories of his stepmother, Lily De Cannio, and the chains of oppression she had forged around him rose to the surface once again. Matteo clenched his fists, staring at the amber liquid swirling in his glass of whiskey. This time, he would let himself confront the pain fully.A Mother in Name OnlyWhen Lily De Cannio had stepped into his life, Matteo had been a vulnerable boy reeling from the sudden loss of his parents. She had appeared in his world like a cold wind in winter, bringing not comfort but cruelty.Lily was a striking woman with sharp features and an even sharper tongue. To the outside world, she was an image of poise and elegance, the grieving widow doing her best to raise a troubled boy. But behind the closed doors of the De Cannio mansion, she was a tyran
Chapter 24
The Days of TormentMatteo leaned back in his chair. His thoughts wandered back to a time when the world was far less forgiving—a time when his stepmother, Lily De Cannio, ruled his life with cruelty and deceit.The bullies she had allowed, encouraged even, returned to his mind with startling clarity. Their sneering faces, their cutting words, and their vicious actions were etched into his memory, a stark reminder of the dark years after his parents' untimely death.A Household of HostilityLily had always claimed to the outside world that she was doing her best to raise Matteo after the tragic loss of his parents. To their neighbors, she played the role of the grieving widow, taking on the noble task of parenting a child who wasn’t her own. But behind closed doors, the façade crumbled into ash.Under her roof, Matteo was no more than an inconvenience, a living reminder of a man she had never truly loved. She ensured he knew his place—lower than the servants, an unwelcome guest in hi
Chapter 23
Rise of StrengthThe memories of his stepmother’s cruel treatment lingered in Matteo’s mind, but rather than breaking him, they fueled his resolve. As he sat in his study, Matteo knew that every wound Lily inflicted had made him stronger. He was no longer the vulnerable teenager who once cowered in the shadow of her manipulative ways. He was a man who had forged his destiny from the ruins of his past.Matteo swirled the whiskey in his glass, the amber liquid catching the light. His thoughts shifted to the journey that followed his escape from Lily’s clutches—a journey marked by pain, determination, and growth.The Path of RebuildingLeaving his family estate behind, Matteo had thrown himself into survival. The first months were the hardest, each day a test of his endurance. With no safety net, Matteo took up menial jobs—waiting tables, stocking shelves, and even working construction—just to make ends meet. Each task, no matter how demeaning, became a stepping stone in his journey to
Chapter 22
A glass of untouched whiskey sat on Matteo's desk, his fingers resting lightly on the rim. His mind wandered to a time he had tried so hard to bury, a chapter of his life drenched in sorrow and betrayal—the years after his parents’ untimely death.The Cold Embrace of LonelinessThe day Matteo’s life changed forever replayed in his mind like a cruel film. He was only fifteen when the news came that his parents had been in a fatal car accident. Matteo had sat on the edge of his bed in stunned silence, clutching a photograph of his family. His father’s booming laughter, his mother’s soft, reassuring voice—they were gone, leaving him in a world that suddenly felt colder and emptier. Matteo hoped his stepmother, Lily De Cannio, would provide some semblance of comfort. She had been in their lives for only a few years, marrying Matteo’s father after his mother’s death. Though she had always seemed distant, Matteo believed she would at least care for him now that they shared the same loss.
Chapter 21
The Plan Takes ShapeLast night’s memories still lingered, but today brought clarity. His parents’ tragic end and Lily’s betrayal were no longer wounds—they were fuel. Every move he’d made, every risk he’d taken, was for this moment. Now, it's time to act.A Strategic Alliance“System,” Matteo said, setting his cup down. “Show me everything we have on Lily De Cannio’s operations.”The System’s holographic interface materialized in front of him, displaying a web of connections, transactions, and dossiers. Lily’s empire was vast, her operations entrenched in industries ranging from luxury goods to underground trafficking. She had built her wealth on deceit and exploitation, expanding her reach while keeping her crimes hidden under layers of legitimate businesses.“Her weak points?” Matteo asked, pacing the room.The System highlighted a few nodes in red. “Her reliance on offshore accounts for laundering funds is a vulnerability. Additionally, her most trusted lieutenant, Marco Salvi, ha
