God had abandoned Gianna on 13th Street. The place was filled with heroin, gunfire, and the rotting stench of sewers. They also called it the slums.

After her parents died in a shooting, her grandmother, Rosa Argento, raised her.

Matteo was three years older than she was. When they first met, he was a defiant teenager who had escaped from a fighting ring.

He became a target for everyone because of his face, too refined and almost sinister in its beauty, combined with his fierce and untamed nature.

Rosa was kindhearted. She dragged him back from death's door, though she had her own reasons too.

In this godforsaken place where people devoured each other, Gianna needed an older brother to protect her. Hence, they became family, relying on each other to survive.

Matteo would grab a rusty pipe and risk his life when street thugs tried to extort Gianna. Even with two broken ribs, he refused to let go. He bit off the other guy's ear.

He would also push his only can of corned beef onto her plate after working in the black market, then hide in a corner gnawing on moldy bread.

He poured all his violence and tenderness into protecting her. Until a mercenary group from a distant war zone noticed his reckless ruthlessness.

The night before he left, Matteo climbed into Gianna's attic. His face was young and scarred, but his ambition was obvious.

He pulled out a ring made from a soda can tab and slipped it onto her finger with clumsy reverence.

"Gigi, stay alive and wait for me. When I carve out my own territory, I'll come back for you and Rosa.

"I'll buy you the most expensive jewels and move you into the strongest fortress in the heart of the city. I'll make everyone who ever looked down on you kneel and kiss the tips of your shoes."

Gianna knew the road ahead would be dangerous. She threw herself into his arms, nodding through her tears.

Later, her grandmother fell ill from years of hard work and passed away in the dead of winter. Before she died, she trembled as she handed Gianna a pendant engraved with a wolf head crest.

"If you get the chance, go to the city center. Your parents are there. You're the biological daughter of Don Domenico Ricci!"

Gianna did not know what a Don meant. She did not want power or prestige. She only wanted her grandmother to live. That was all.

A week after the funeral, rain poured down in sheets. A car stopped in front of the iron gate outside. Gianna saw Matteo in the back seat.

He wore a well-tailored black coat. He looked naturally aristocratic and radiated an aura that warned people to keep their distance. He was nothing like the boy in the tattered tank top.

Through the curtain of rain, she cried out, "Matteo, you really came back!"

Matteo tossed aside his umbrella and strode through the dirty water on the ground. He pulled her soaked body into his arms, his voice shaking.

"I told you I'd come get you! Gigi, I'm sorry. I came back too late! I failed Rosa..."

He brought her to the prosperous city center. Within the Gray Wolf famiglia's territory, he arranged a heavily guarded villa for her and sent the best doctors to care for her health.

However, he was busy.

During the day, he fought for territory and negotiated arms deals. At night, he circulated through high society. Sometimes he disappeared for days at a time.

She never complained. Because she knew Matteo was fighting for their future.

Until a year ago, when he came home reeking of blood and told her his decision.

Matteo held her, his expression solemn. "Gigi, I'm planning to get close to the Gray Wolf famiglia. Rosa told you with her dying breath that you're the real Ricci Principessa. I know you don't care about that.

"You never complain to me, but that doesn't mean I'm not aware. You just wanted to see your birth parents from a distance, but the Ricci Soldati treated you like a threat and drove you off.

"The rifle butt smashed into your back. You came back crying but didn't dare tell me..."

Matteo cupped her face, violent intent surging in his eyes.

"The Gray Wolf famiglia is the underground king of this city. Without power, you don't even have the right to approach them! That fake Principessa named Lucia stole what's yours, enjoying the glory that should belong to you, while you were chased away like a rat.

"I won't accept it! It makes me furious!

"Gigi, I want revenge! I'll use that fake Principessa to work my way into the family's inner circle and take control of all of Don Ricci's arms channels! I'll make that woman fall in love with me, then reveal the truth at her happiest moment and watch her fall from grace!

"I'll get back every humiliation you suffered a hundred times over! I'll bring you home in glory."

Back then, he made that promise with such sincerity.

When Matteo left, Gianna was still pretending to sleep.

She only opened her eyes after the engine noise faded at the end of the alley. She stared at the empty pillow beside her and reached out to touch the lingering warmth.

For a year, she had lived like a mistress.

At first, when she saw Matteo on the news escorting Lucia to casinos and racetracks with an adoring smile, she had broken down too.

Yet he told her, "It's just an act! If I don't make it convincing, how can I fool that tricky Don Ricci? Gigi, my heart belongs only to you."

She desperately convinced herself that Matteo was sacrificing himself for the plan. He was swallowing his disgust to please someone else, all to help her reclaim justice and give her grandmother closure.

However, last night, when he slipped the engagement ring onto Lucia's finger and vowed to protect her for life, Gianna wavered.

Over the next few days, she wandered aimlessly around the neighborhood. By chance, she spotted a familiar ruby necklace in an underground auction catalogue.

It was her grandmother's most treasured possession! It was also the family heirloom stolen years ago during the chaos, something Rosa had murmured about even on her deathbed.

She immediately called Matteo and explained.

"Don't worry, Gigi. The Ricci family is hosting tonight's auction. I'll be there." His tone softened. "Not even God can take what belonged to Rosa. I'll bring it back to you tonight."

Maybe she had been overthinking. He was still the same Matteo who treasured her above all else.

Gianna did not have the credentials to enter the main hall, so she waited at the VIP exit by the back door.

The night wind cut like knives, but she stubbornly refused to leave. As long as she got the necklace back, Rosa's spirit could rest in peace.

Matteo had promised her. He never broke his promises.

Three hours later, the doors slowly opened. Matteo emerged with his arm around Lucia. The woman held the leash of a purebred Doberman. In his hand was an elegant velvet box.

The necklace! He really bought it!

Gianna was about to step forward, but what happened next rooted her to the spot and sent ice flooding through her veins.

"Do you like it?"

Lucia frowned in mock reproach. "The style is so dated, and the gemstone quality is terrible. Why did you spend seven million on this junk?"

"It was fun." He casually pulled out the necklace. "Didn't you say Duke needed a new collar?"

Under Gianna's horrified gaze, Matteo bent down and fastened Rosa's treasure around the Doberman's neck.

The old woman's dying wish now hung around a dog's throat.

"Oh my! You know what?" Lucia giggled and patted the dog's head. "It looks tacky on a person, but on my baby, it actually looks quite elegant. You really do have an eye for these things."

"As long as you're happy."

The woman kissed him goodbye and turned to enter the stretch limousine.

"Why?" Gianna finally lost control and rushed in front of him.

"Didn't you say you'd definitely bring it home tonight? How could you put it on a dog? Take it back! Take it back right now!"

Matteo let her grab at him, his expression calm.

"Gigi, calm down." He spoke as if educating a child throwing a tantrum.

"It's just an old necklace with crude workmanship and a flawed gemstone. If you like jewelry, I'll have someone send you a box of new pieces tomorrow. Every single one will be ten times more expensive than this."

"I don't want them! I only want Grandma's necklace!" Gianna screamed, tears streaming down her face. "You promised me! Why did you lie? Why would you trample on Grandma's dignity—"

"Because Lucia wanted it," Matteo cut her off, his tone matter-of-fact.

"Just now at the auction, she took one look and fell in love with that necklace. So many eyes were watching, and plenty of them were Don Ricci's informants. If I refused her over something so trivial, it would raise suspicion and undermine my plan to secure my position in the family."

He pulled her into his arms, coaxing gently. "Gigi, would you really destroy everything I've been working toward over one necklace?"

"For your plan..." Gianna shoved him away. "I can endure a lot, but when it comes to Grandma, I won't compromise!"

"This is just temporary." Matteo's brow furrowed, as if disappointed by her unreasonableness.

"Once I officially take control, I'll definitely get that necklace back!"

She fell silent, too drained to argue. She turned and walked away.

Matteo froze, then reached out to grab her. "Where are you going? It's so late, and it's not safe—"

"Don't touch me!"

Gianna shook him off. "Don't touch me with the same hand that just petted that dog. It disgusts me."

After that argument, Gianna and Matteo fell into a cold war. He stopped visiting, and she refused to reach out first.

Lately, in her dreams, she kept seeing a warm family that did not exist—doting parents with relatives gathered around them.

This longing was like an addiction. It flared up during rainy nights in the city, gnawing at her bones and piercing her heart. Hence, despite Matteo's strict warnings, she found herself drawn once again to the gates of Orleen Estate.

Tall iron railings wrapped in electrified barbed wire loomed above. Armed Soldati stood guard at the entrance.

"What do you want? Get lost!"

They spotted her again.

A rifle butt struck Gianna's shoulder. She grunted in pain and collapsed to the ground.

Just then, the Don's wife, Isabella Bianchi, stepped outside. Their eyes met.

Isabella froze in place. A powerful instinct deep in her blood made her heart race.

The pale, delicate face and those features bore a striking resemblance to the Don in his youth. She looked more like a Ricci than their pampered Principessa did.

"Stop! Let her go!"

She rushed forward, struggling to control her emotions. "Child, who are you? How old are you?"

Gianna ignored the searing pain in her shoulder and struggled to stand. She wanted to call out 'Mamma'.

This was the closest she had ever been to home. If she just spoke up, if she just...

The harsh sound of brakes cut through the air. An armored SUV screeched to a violent stop beside them, radiating menace.

A tall, cold figure strode over quickly. Matteo shoved Gianna backward with one hand, sending her crashing into the wet, cold mud again.

"What are you doing?" Isabella cried out and moved to help her up.

"Madre, be careful!" He stepped in front of Isabella, his face full of vigilance.

"I just got word that enemy forces might have sent a spy. This woman had plastic surgery to look like the Don when he was young—bone shaving, jaw reshaping, the works. She's trying to get into the Ricci family with bad intentions!"

What was he saying? Gianna was stunned.

He was the one who brought her back to the city. He was the one who promised to help her claim her identity. He was the one who...

"Plastic surgery?" Isabella's outstretched hand froze in midair. The compassion in her eyes was instantly replaced by shock and suspicion. "But those eyes..."

"Modern cosmetic surgery can fake even retinas, let alone a face."

Matteo refused to budge. "Take her inside for interrogation!"

This was her first time entering the estate. Unfortunately, everyone else sat while she knelt.

"Similar. So similar!" Domenico Ricci squinted as he studied her. "Even with your warning, we still need to verify before we can be certain.

"Ricci blood cannot tolerate any confusion!"

The family doctor quickly arrived. In the blood draw room, there was only the doctor, Gianna, and Matteo as the overseer.

The needle pierced her vein. She felt no pain. She only looked at him again and again, her eyes pleading like someone on the brink of death.

He simply adjusted his cuffs. From start to finish, he never looked at her once.

After the blood draw, the doctor took the sample to the inner laboratory. The Ricci family had the most advanced equipment. The testing time was significantly shortened.

Gianna was taken to a holding room to wait. The entire day felt as long as a century.

"Don Ricci, the results are in. Biological kinship probability is 0%. Not related by blood."

That was impossible! Matteo had secretly run a test using hair samples from Domenico and Isabella. It proved she was the real Ricci Principessa. Why was it that now…

In her panic, she suddenly remembered a detail from earlier. It was Matteo!

After she left the blood draw room, he stayed behind for a few minutes. Long enough to bribe the doctor and falsify the results!

Domenico flew into a rage. "How dare she impersonate Ricci blood! I'll..."

"Don Ricci!" Isabella's heart softened after all. She sighed. "Spare her life. Just teach her a lesson and throw her out."

"Then we'll use the whip." He snorted coldly. "Twenty lashes. But her life and death are in God's hands!"

On the estate's punishment frame, a saltwater-soaked whip fell again and again. Gianna was beaten until her flesh split open, but she swallowed her screams.

Not far away, Matteo was wiping tears from Lucia's ruined makeup, completely ignoring the brutal scene behind him.

After 20 lashes, she was nothing but a bloody mess. They tossed her out of the estate like garbage.

Gianna leaned against the wall, struggling forward. Suddenly, someone grabbed her and pulled her into a car.

"Gigi!"

"You tampered with it, didn't you?"

Matteo did not deny it. "If you're acknowledged now, you'll die.

"The family is currently fighting over Arupean shipping routes. Plenty of enemies have their eyes on that position. If you show up now, you'll just become a living target!

"I'm saving you."

Gianna laughed bitterly and finally shouted what was really in her heart.

"Are you afraid she'll fall apart when she learns the truth, or can you just not stand to see her hurt? You keep saying this is all for revenge, but the way you're acting now, you're clearly protecting her!"

Matteo slammed on the brakes. The momentum threw her against the seat back, pulling at her wounds. Her face went deathly pale from the pain.

"Get out."

She had exposed his unconscious favoritism. She did not apologize with red-rimmed eyes like she used to. Instead, she simply left.