Chapter 28 Chapter XXVIII The Assassination in Florence

Florence was the most famous center of humanities and arts in Europe during the Renaissance.Dante's lingering footprints were left on the Ponte Vecchio, Michelangelo's concentrated figure appeared in front of the Church of Our Lady of the Flowers, Galileo's thinking face was reflected in the Arno River, and Da? Vinci, Raphael, Boccaccio, Botticelli...every name here is so shining, it becomes the pride of the city to show off. It was eight or nine o'clock in the evening when Alfonso and Liuxia arrived in Florence. The silver moon is reflected on the sparkling Arno River, warm lights are shining in the nearby shops, the cool wind is blowing in the cool air, and the young lovers are cuddling together affectionately.

Alfonso seemed to be quite familiar with this place, he led Liu Xia around in the alley, and soon turned into an unremarkable small restaurant.This small restaurant has a small storefront, and there are only three or four customers in it. It seems that there is nothing special about it.But Liu Xia also knows that in European countries such as Italy or France, the more such small restaurants, sometimes the better the food.Moreover, they usually only do business with a dozen tables, and customers have to wait for a long time even if they make a reservation.Some have a slightly better reputation, and it is not uncommon to wait a month after making an appointment.

The same appears to be true of this little restaurant. "Today's dishes have been ordered with your boss before. Bring them up first." He put the menu aside without even looking at it. Liu Xia doesn't care about this, anyway, she will eat whatever he orders.But when she thought that tomorrow was the day when the winners would be announced, she felt a little nervous. The waiter brought up a special dish of southern Italy ----- Naples chicken stew. "This is Napoleon's favorite dish." Alfonso looked at her meaningfully, "Maybe you should try it." She froze for a moment, then blurted out, "What does this have to do with Napoleon?"

The Earl seemed to be in a very good mood today, and he patiently explained a few words to her, "I heard that Napoleon led the French army to defeat the Austrian army in Italy. After the battle, Napoleon felt hungry, so his men I searched for food everywhere, but only found a chicken, eggs, tomatoes and shrimps in one village. The chef made all these food together in a hurry, and Napoleon praised the dish so much that he decided to Every time he wins a battle, he must offer this dish to him. Therefore, this dish has become a symbol of victory." Liu Xia's heart skipped a beat, what did he mean by ordering this dish?Is it to cheer her up?

With some complicated feelings, she took a bite of the stewed chicken, and it really was a very rare good taste.When she looked up at him, she found that he was also looking at her with a gentle gaze. These eyes are usually indifferent and ruthless, and no one can see clearly.Only when looking at her, will condense a gentle light, with a little love, a little warmth, a little appreciation, slowly passing through her heart. At this moment, in Naples, the birthplace of this stewed chicken dish, Master Mirante is having a jigsaw puzzle game with his nephew Cassino. "Uncle Mirante, you fight so fast every time, it's no fun at all!" Cassino began to act like a baby when he saw that he was falling behind.

"Okay, then let's do it again?" Mirant smiled with a good temper. Perhaps the only person in this world who can accommodate him like this is Cassino.Today, Milante is wearing Etro's new season's burgundy series jacket, and the rich and fragrant color like wine makes him more charming. "Don't play anymore. Mom said I should go to bed early, so I have to go upstairs." Cassino shook his head. Mirant smiled and patted his head, "What a good boy, mom is so obedient when she's not here. Then go to bed quickly, and we'll continue playing tomorrow."

Seeing the maid lead Cassino upstairs, Zola pushed her glasses frame and looked at him calmly, "Master, it seems that we have something more important to do tomorrow, right?" Mirant half-closed his eyes half-smiling, "How is everything prepared?" "It's all ready according to your instructions." Zola smiled happily, "Master, the opportunity you have been waiting for has finally come. Rome has always been the site of EE, and it is not convenient for us to do things. But in Florence is different, this is simply a good opportunity God gave us. No matter how cautious Alfonso acted, he probably would not have thought that we would prepare a gift for him there."

Mirante smiled and said nothing, and did not speak until he put all the remaining pieces of the puzzle back together, "Tomorrow, Alfonso will definitely like this gift." "Master, then we should set off for Florence, right?" "We're leaving now." He got up suddenly, "I hope I can come back tomorrow and continue to play puzzles with Casino." Among all the art academies in Europe, the transcendent status of the Florence Academy of Fine Arts is naturally beyond doubt.Countless accomplished artists come from this art academy with a long history, so it is understandable that the final awarding place of the competition is arranged here.

Before the award ceremony, the security personnel had confirmed the good security here.And earlier, Romeo, who had arrived in Florence in advance, also checked everything here carefully, and found nothing abnormal. At around two o'clock in the afternoon, almost all the relevant personnel had arrived at the scene, including of course Count Alfonso, one of the award presenters. Everything went very smoothly. Although the activity has not yet started, the professionals participating in the selection have reached a consensus in the conference room. Although the works of Liu Xia and Avrona have been highly praised, the works of the students of the Florence Academy of Fine Arts should not be underestimated, especially the work of a French classmate in the graduating class. The mother is also amazing.

No matter the implication or technique, it is comparable to Liu Xia, and it seems to be slightly better in terms of depth. "Mr. Alfonso, what's your opinion?" Some of the judges knew that Liuxia was Alfonso's girlfriend, so they were concerned about this, and finally asked for Alfonso's opinion.After all, the count is the patron of the Margherita contest, and if he objects, then of course his opinion is also taken into account. Alfonso just smiled, and then commented on the advantages and disadvantages of these works very professionally, and came to his own conclusion, "Although the use of colors in this picture of the mother and Gong Liuxia's childhood is close to perfect, But the mother's painter is more skillful in lines, although the lines used are very simple, they can be very generalized, and contain countless beautiful and smooth turning points." He paused, "This mother deserves to be the champion."

After the judges decided the final ranking in the conference room, Alfonso first informed Liu Xia of the news. "This result may disappoint you. You are not the one who won the championship. I tell you now to prepare you mentally." Alfonso obviously cared about her reaction when he said this. Liu Xia didn't show any disappointment, but said to him, "Thank you." "Thank me for what?" Alfonso raised his eyebrows. "There is a sky beyond the sky, and there are people beyond people. I have understood this truth since I was a child. Only when I realize this can I keep improving." She looked at him with a gentler look than before, "Thank you. I think now I The ranking obtained should not be mixed with any water." Alfonso stared at her without blinking, the water green in his eyes deepening. It turns out that she understands, she understands. That's why he didn't use his personal power to let her win the championship. Because he respects her works and the art she loves. At the beginning of the awards ceremony, Alfonso, as a special guest, was supposed to present awards to the winners, but at this moment he received a call from Romeo.He had no choice but to make an apologetic gesture to the judges, and walked out of the awards hall on the third floor while talking on the phone. A minute later, he was already in the men's bathroom on the second floor. "Why did you ask me to meet at this time? The awards ceremony will start soon, and I can only give you five minutes now." Alfonso hung up a cleaning sign when he closed the door. "Sorry boss, I know you're busy right now, but there's something I just discovered that I have to show you." Romeo smiled, and took out two photos from his pocket. Alfonso glanced over the two photos, and his eyes flickered coldly. "Romeo, go and investigate the background of the woman in the photo right away. If there is anything suspicious, you must not be soft." "But boss, you also know that this woman belongs to Liu Xia..." "No matter what relationship she has with Liuxia. I want to know all the information about her, from birth to the present." Alfonso's speech speed was obviously faster than usual, which also showed that he was very interested in these two photos. degree of concern. At this time, a fancy yellow school bus parked steadily at the gate of the Academy of Fine Arts.The beautiful blonde female teacher urged the children to get in as soon as they got out of the car.The children were dressed cutely, and they looked to be only seven or eight years old. Each of them held a bouquet of delicate flowers in their hands. They happily ran to the third floor, chattering into the awards hall. "These are..." Romeo happened to see this scene through the window. "They are also children who are learning to paint. This time, I want them to experience the atmosphere of art, so the task of presenting flowers to the winners is also entrusted to them." Alfonso didn't even look at it, "Okay, I It's time to go back upstairs, we can't make them wait any longer." Romeo nodded, and couldn't help but ask again when Alfonso walked to the door, "Did Liu Xia... win the prize?" Alfonso stopped in his tracks, with an appreciative smile on his lips, "She won't let me down." "Boss..." Romeo seemed to hesitate for a moment, "You will let her paint freely until she realizes her dream?" "Dream?" Alfonso smiled meaningfully, "I look forward to the day when she realizes her dream. Before that, I will remove all obstacles for her." Romeo quickly recovered that cynical expression, and suddenly shook his head as if remembering something, "But it's best to buy those bouquets from another house in the future, I think some tulips are starting to wilt... " "Tulips?" Alfonso interrupted him, "In order to match the name of this competition, the bouquets we ordered are all red daisies..." He suddenly stopped talking, but raised his eyes and looked at Romeo for a second. At the same time, the two felt a bone-chilling chill rising from their backs... "Oops!" Before Romeo finished the word, there was a loud bang, and there was a deafening explosion from upstairs!And in just a few tens of seconds, several explosions followed!There are shards of glass everywhere, scattered fireballs, people's screams...the sky is filled with a strong smell of gunpowder smoke... "Liuxia..." Alfonso's complexion turned pale in an instant, and he rushed upstairs without thinking, but he was hugged by Romeo just as he stepped out the door! "Boss, this attack is clearly aimed at you. The explosion may not be over yet! You will die anytime you go up now!" "Let me go!" Alfonso's voice sounded a little out of control, "It's up to you where I'm going! Liuxia is still up there, I have to go up!" "I won't let you take risks! I'll go too!" Romeo shouted, hugging him tightly. Alfonso hit Romeo's abdomen violently with his elbow, forcing him to let go, then turned around and punched him to the ground, saying word by word, "I will not leave my woman alone, nor will I would put my brother at risk." Looking at the back of Alfonso running out, Romeo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and staggered to his feet.He had never seen Alfonso show such an expression before, that expression was like some kind of ferocious beast, as if anyone who stopped him would be torn to pieces mercilessly. At this time, the lobby on the third floor has almost become a hell on earth. The things in the room were blown up and flew around, making a mess everywhere.The dull air was filled with a strong smell of blood, the bright red blood was like a vat of cheap dye that was accidentally spilled, and those bloody corpses were lying upside down... Crying, moaning, and begging were mixed in Together, it seems to play a desperate death sonata. Alfonso was eagerly looking for her, while shouting her name, "Liuxia! Liuxia!" Suddenly, his eyes stopped for a moment on a pile of ruins that had been blown up -------- a strand of black hair leaked from there!He only felt that he heard an extremely slight trembling sound, as if every inch of his bones were constantly collapsing... "Liu Xia! Don't die! Don't die!" His voice trembled slightly, and he knelt down in front of the ruins, digging desperately with both hands, his bloodshot eyes seemed to be gushing with blood... and His movements did not stop because of the injury and pain, but became even more out of control... "I...here." A low voice suddenly came from behind him. Alfonso's pupils shrank suddenly, and he turned his head in disbelief.When he found out that it was Liu Xia, his face became a little distorted because of being too surprised, and then he looked at her fixedly, his water green eyes just staring at her face without blinking, never Black eyes, soft hair, and thin lips... It's like carefully confirming some lost and found treasure. "Liu Xia, you're fine...that's great. Do you know that I'm going crazy with worry..." He muttered a few words to himself, without hiding his anxiety and worry, and he couldn't help but hug her tightly in his arms. Liu Xia's heart was beating violently because of the fright, the bloody scene in front of her almost made her want to vomit, and her mind was even more messed up.Just think about it, if she hadn't happened to pick up something dropped by someone else and chased it out to return it, I'm afraid this little life would have been gone long ago.She didn't even believe that everything before was real. But compared to all of these, what made her feel even more unbelievable was Mr. Alfonso just now... Is this still the tall and ruthless Mr. Earl she knew? Seeing him desperately looking for himself in the ruins, the complex feeling that rushed to his heart seemed to be beyond any words to describe. Through the top of his shoulder, Liu Xia saw the bloody sunset outside the window, and the bewitching color was spreading wantonly in the sky. Facing such a beautiful scene, she suddenly felt quite tired. Tired and don't want to do any more struggle. For the first time ever----she didn't break free from his arms. The tragedy at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence shocked the whole of Italy. The number of people who died in this terrorist attack reached nineteen, and half of them were children only seven or eight years old. This undoubtedly increased people's hatred and disgust for these organizations. In the catacombs near the ancient Via Appia in the southern suburbs of Rome, the three top executives of EE gathered together again.After this incident, the Italian police have significantly stepped up their efforts to crack down on criminals. Although the police can't find any evidence of their crimes for the time being, it is quite a headache to harass them from time to time. "Needless to say, what happened this time must have something to do with Mirante and the others." Romeo said with a sneer, "I never imagined that they could put bombs in those tulips, such an exquisite and wonderful device, I would like to see what it is Man made it." "I never imagined that they would actually take advantage of those children." Parker also shook his head, "Even in this line of work, he is too despicable." "It's not just despicable, it's just scum." Romeo's face showed an angry look, and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, "God bless, it's a good thing that the boss and Liuxia escaped this time, otherwise I would Must have bombarded his lair in Naples." After hearing what they said, Alfonso frowned slightly.Up to this moment, he still seemed to be a little bit afraid in his heart. He couldn't imagine that if Liu Xia was blown to pieces at that time... He couldn't believe it, he couldn't even imagine it. But the only thing that is certain is that it will definitely be the biggest nightmare in his life. And the culprit who almost created the nightmare... He will never let it go easily. "Boss, what are you going to do next?" Parker asked in a low voice. A cruel and weird smile appeared on the corner of Alfonso's lips, "Milante, since you are so restless, don't blame me for being rude." Romeo's eyes suddenly lit up, "Boss, what do you mean..." "I want him to disappear completely from this world." Alfonso said coldly. "Received." Romeo's smile was still as pure and charming as the Virgin Mary. Parker still had that serious expression on his face, "But Mirant must be extra careful recently, so it's not so easy to find an opportunity to kill him." "I heard that Madeleine has temporarily restricted his freedom to go out at will because of his reckless actions this time. That is to say, he should spend most of his time at home in Naples." Alfonso is obviously concerned about all this. The investigation was also very clear, "Romeo, it's up to you next." "Don't worry, Boss, there is never anything my little lover can't handle." Romeo nodded confidently, and when he looked at Parker, his gaze stayed on his waist for a moment. "Huh? Parker, this knife looks really cool..." He reached out to touch it while talking, but Parker slapped the back of his hand before he even touched the handle. "You can't even touch it? You're so stingy..." Romeo rolled his eyes, "Haha, is it a gift from some woman?" "That's none of your business." Parker glanced at him blankly, then touched the scabbard gently, obviously cherishing his knife very much. "Okay, Romeo, don't tease him." Alfonso looked at Parker with an ambiguous look, and said with a feeling, "When a person has something that can be cherished, it is both A kind of luck is also a kind of misfortune. It is great luck to have it, but once it is lost, it is the beginning of all misfortunes and pains.” Parker raised his head and looked at him deeply, his eyes filled with firmness and confidence, "As long as it is something I cherish, I will protect it with everything I have, and never let myself have a chance to lose." There seemed to be something flashing in Alfonso's eyes, but he didn't speak. Romeo smiled and Mimi stepped forward and embraced the two of them, "Okay, my good brothers, what you're talking about is getting more and more profound. How about it, come and have a drink with me tonight. Mmmm , I simply bought wine and drank it in this catacomb, to be honest, this is really a good place to drink..." Two or three black lines appeared on the foreheads of the two good brothers at the same time...