had not chosen to plunge into. There were times when she felt overwhelmed, when loneliness invaded her. But something had changed in her, a trigger that she did not quite underst

mpassive and authoritarian façade. But he was an enigma, a man whose emotions were as deep and inaccessible as the

chance, sometimes in moments when she felt particularly alone. Giovanni had a strange calm, a sort of threatening calm. But beneath this apparent tranqui

re was something in the way he looked at her, something different. She knew she was taking a big risk by listening to what he had to say,

if what he was about to say would never leave this room. He made sure no one could hear them befor

on him, searching for any clue. Giovanni wasn't one to speak

ating you, isn't he? He lets you believe he's just a powerful man, but it's more c

She had always known there was more behind Adriano's actions, but she h

ut the country," Giovanni continued, his eyes shining with new determination. "

ween families was simply a question of power, of territories, but there was something bigger behind

re and do nothing. She was already too involved, too connected to this family, and if she

ol everything, his determination to become the only master, the only man capable of leading the clan. And that ambition,

traight in the eye. "He sees you as a piece in his game.

was just a mere assistant in this power struggle, a small piece in a game whose rules she didn

idden from view. He stood there, as calm as ever, but his gaze betrayed a

s tone so measured it was almost icy, "you're doing a goo

ng. Adriano was far too smart to be fooled, and he knew full well that she was just a

g. "You may think you're in control, but you're just play

very word Adriano spoke seemed a little heavier, a little more threatening. He knew

re, he approached her, and before she had time to react, he gently caressed her arm. Th

he whispered, his eyes boring into her

uld be wary of him, but she couldn't help but be drawn in, feel trapped in thi

e. No, there was something darker loomin

orgotten about her, found someone else to manipulate, someo

message, but one that spoke volumes. "I know what you're hiding, Elvie. And I'm

But the threats from a man like him were real. She knew he had the power to destroy what she'd built back up.