In order to help my family take over the Vitales' casino that's based in North Melcina, I conceal my identity as the sole daughter of Don Leonardo Ricci and begin working as a dealer in Las Vogis.

During my undercover mission, I get close to Mattia Vitale, the heir of the Vitales, on purpose. At the same time, I secretly get my hands on the Vitales' weak points.

Not only does Mattia not realize my intentions, but he also showers me with love and affection. He doesn't hesitate to gift me jewelry worth millions of dollars. Sometimes, he surprises me with fireworks worth tens of millions of dollars. In fact, he once burns a contract worth a hundred million dollars just to light my cigarette.

As I stand under the sky filled with fireworks in Las Vogis, I hear my heart pounding wildly in my chest. Hence, I reject my dad's decision to devour the Vitale family.

I thought I finally found true love.

But lately, Mattia hasn't been coming home that much now. He also grows colder toward me. In fact, he even announces to everyone else that I'm just his personal assistant at his family gathering.

His excuse for hiding our relationship is that he's worried his family elders might target me. But what he doesn't know is that when he almost lost his net worth at the gambling table, I was the one who secretly swapped the cards, allowing him to make a victorious comeback.

I plan on telling Mattia the truth on his birthday, and I've already drafted a business deal between my family and his as a surprise for him. But I end up witnessing Mattia being entangled with another woman from my position outside his office.

That woman is Ginevra Bellini, the heiress of the Bellini family, a nouveau riche family that has earned their gold from real estate in North Melcina. The Bellinis are as wealthy and powerful as the Vitales, so to the Vitales, Ginevra is the most perfect and suitable marriage partner to Mattia.

So, it turns out that Mattia has already labelled his love accordingly. I'm just the bargaining chip that he has chosen to discard after weighing the pros and cons.

With a sneer on my face, I toss the contract into the shredder. Then, I call my dad's number.

"Do it, Dad. Let's devour the Vitales."

At the end of the hallway, Papa's hearty laughter rang through the receiver.

"Catalina, I told you Mattia Vitale was never worthy of you. If you hadn't stopped me, the Ricci family would've taken over the Vitale casino long ago. We wouldn't have had to wait until today."

I stared out at the Las Vogis skyline, suppressing the bitter ache rising in my chest.

"Every money laundering loophole Mattia created these past three years, every tax evasion account, even the underground shares he mortgaged to loan sharks to cover his losses—you handled all of it. Just give me the evidence, and the Vitale family will crumble immediately," Papa said.

"Make your move, Papa. I'll send you the evidence shortly. This time, I won't stop you."

After hanging up, I sent Papa all the evidence I'd collected over the years. Once that was done, I took a deep breath and pushed open the door to Mattia's executive office.

When Mattia saw me, panic flashed across his face for a brief moment. Then, he quickly regained his composure.

My gaze swept slowly across the room and stopped on the tightly shut door to the break room. Through the gap at the bottom, a corner of red fabric peeked out.

Yesterday, I had picked up that dress from the haute couture boutique for Mattia. He said he wanted to give it to an important business partner.

Mattia noticed where I was looking, and his expression shifted. He strode over and positioned himself between me and the break room door, blocking my view. Gently, he took my hand.

"Catalina, why didn't you knock before coming in? A few executives were just here for a meeting. The smoke was pretty heavy. Did it bother you?"

As he lied, he reached up and brushed the stray hair from my forehead. He turned and picked up an invitation from his desk, handing it to me.

"The Bellini family is hosting a charity gala tonight. You'll accompany me as my personal assistant."

He paused, then added, "Remember, keep quiet. Don't let the Bellinis notice you."

I took the invitation and looked up at him. "Mattia, today is our fifth anniversary. Did you forget?"

His brow furrowed instantly, his face shifting into perfectly measured distress and regret. He stepped closer and pulled me into a tight embrace.

His chin rested on the top of my head as he murmured, "Catalina, be good. You know how hard things are for me right now.

"Once I close the deal with the Bellinis, I'll have complete control over the Vitale empire. When that happens, I promise I'll marry you properly, the way you deserve. Just bear with me one last time, okay?"

Something clattered in the break room, and Mattia's body went rigid. Instinctively, he released me, his gaze darting nervously toward the break room door.

The last trace of warmth inside me vanished as I watched his expression shift. I didn't expose him. I simply smiled. "Alright, I'll listen to you. One last time."

With that, I turned and left. The moment I pulled the office door open, I clearly heard Mattia rush into the break room behind me. I closed the door gently, shutting out everything inside.

Of course. How could Ginevra Bellini, the Bellini family's precious daughter, endure even the slightest grievance?

And me? I was just an assistant who could be sacrificed at any moment.

At the charity gala, Mattia stood in the center of the crowd with his arm around Ginevra's waist. I lingered in the corner, holding their coats.

During a brief moment when he went to the bar for drinks, Mattia sidled up to me. "Catalina, it's all for show. You know you're the only one I love."

I said nothing.

He frowned, then returned to Ginevra's side and slipped back into his doting routine.

The auction began. As the host introduced the items, a familiar name caught my attention.

"Tears of the Deep" was a sapphire necklace.

It wasn't just jewelry. Three years ago, after Mattia barely survived a setup by his rivals, he'd made a promise from his hospital bed.

He'd pointed to a photo of this very necklace, his eyes red-rimmed, and sworn, "Catalina, once I take over the Vitale empire, I'll buy this and propose to you with it."

"Starting bid is five million." The moment the host finished speaking, Mattia raised his paddle.

"Five million 500 thousand."

"Six million."

He bid repeatedly without hesitation.

My heart pounded as I stood there. Maybe he still remembered that promise. Maybe he'd forgotten our anniversary yesterday because he was planning this surprise.

"15 million dollars, sold!" The host beamed.

"Congratulations, Mr. Vitale. Please come to the stage and present this precious gift to the most important person in your life."

I loosened my grip on the coats. Mattia walked onstage and accepted the necklace. He turned and walked straight toward Ginevra.

I watched him bend down and fasten the necklace around her throat.

Ginevra touched the sapphires and asked loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Matt, this necklace symbolizes 'one true love.' Are you sure it's appropriate to give this to me?"

Mattia spoke into the microphone with that warm smile of his. "Only you deserve something this unique."

Applause erupted. I stood frozen, with my throat tight and unable to breathe. Apparently, five years meant nothing more than a price tag.

During the intermission, Ginevra approached me with a champagne flute. She lifted her chin deliberately, letting the Tears of the Deep catch the light.

"Ms. Ricci, don't you think the necklace Matt gave me is beautiful?"

I stayed silent.

Mattia walked over and slipped his arm around Ginevra's waist. "Catalina, get us two glasses of champagne. And bring a shawl. Ms. Bellini is cold."

His tone was flat, like he was addressing a stranger on his payroll. I turned to get what he asked for.

When I returned with the champagne and shawl, Ginevra reached for the wrap. Her elbow suddenly knocked into the tray in my hands.

The sound of shattering glass rang out as ice-cold liquid soaked through my clothes. Ginevra let out a startled cry. "Oh! Ms. Ricci, why did you bump into me on purpose? You nearly ruined the dress Matt gave me."

Mattia spun around immediately, pulled Ginevra close, and examined her gown from top to bottom. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, just startled." Ginevra's voice trembled.

Only after confirming she was unharmed did Mattia turn to look at me. His eyes were cold with impatience. "Catalina, what's wrong with you? You can't even handle something this simple."

I opened my mouth to explain that she was the one who bumped into me.

"Enough." His voice cut through the air. "Apologize to Ms. Bellini. Don't ruin her evening."

There was no concern in his eyes—only disdain and irritation.

"I didn't bump into her."

Mattia's expression darkened completely. "You're going to lie about it?"

"I told you, I didn't bump into her."

"Catalina!" He raised his voice. "What the hell is wrong with you tonight?"

I met his gaze head-on. "Mattia, I said I didn't bump into her. I won't apologize for something I didn't do."

He scowled. "Go change your clothes. You're embarrassing yourself."

I laughed, cold and sharp. "No need to kick me out. I wouldn't stay another second in this suffocating place anyway."

Outside the ballroom, my phone buzzed. A message from Papa appeared on the screen. "Everything's ready. In two days, the Vitale casino will be yours."

I stood in the hallway, staring at those words, and laughed. The laughter turned to tears.

Mattia, the game was finally over.

I had just returned to the villa in my wine-soaked clothes when the lock turned.

Mattia was home.

He walked straight up to me and pressed a cold hotel keycard into my palm."Catalina, stay at a hotel tonight."

He paused. "Ginevra is moving in tomorrow. I don't want her to see anything of yours. It'll upset her."

Then he added, "I know this is hard on you. I'll make it up to you later, I promise."

Later? Our future had just been sold off at that auction for 15 million dollars with a price tag attached. I walked past him to the nightstand and calmly picked up the framed photo of us.

Mattia must have thought I was feeling sentimental, because his expression softened. "Don't be difficult, Catalina. Now's not the time."

"There won't be a later." Right in front of him, I threw the frame into the trash bin.

Mattia froze. Fury flashed across his face. "Catalina! What the hell is wrong with you?"

I ignored him and opened the closet, tossing my meager belongings into a suitcase. It had been five years. Everything I owned fit into a 20-inch bag.

He'd probably never seen me like this before, cold and unyielding. For once, he had nothing to say. I pulled my suitcase past him and walked out.

The taxi drove through the empty late-night streets. I'd just given the driver the hotel address when a deafening roar erupted from behind us.

Several motorcycles forced our car off the road. A group of thugs swarmed around us, leering at me.

The leader, a guy with bleached hair, banged on the window and whistled at me. His words were crude and arrogant.

"Hey there, pretty thing. Don't be scared. Ms. Bellini wants us to take really good care of you and snap some nice pictures for Mr. Vitale. Let him enjoy the show too."

The driver's face went white, his hands trembling on the wheel. I stared at those disgusting faces through the window, ice forming in my chest.

Ginevra really couldn't wait. I pulled out my phone and called Mattia.

"Mattia, help me. Some men stopped my car. I'm scared."

My voice shook, but my eyes stayed flat as I looked out the window.

On the other end, Mattia's tone was impatient. "Catalina, are you that addicted to playing victim? Stop pulling these pathetic stunts for attention. I'm sick of it."

It was a life-or-death situation, and all he could think was that I was begging for attention. He'd crushed this last chance himself.

Before I could say anything else, a cloying female voice slipped through the line, breathless and suggestive.

"Matt, stop worrying about that bitch. Focus on me."

It was Ginevra.

Mattia hung up. I stared at the screen, at that final call record, and slowly wiped the tears from my eyes.

Outside, the men were still shouting. When I didn't react, they started pounding harder on the window.

I took a deep breath.

The game was over. I pushed the door open and stepped out.

The thug grinned when he saw me emerge. "That's more like it. Cooperate early, and we'll be real gentle with…"

His expression froze mid-sentence. Four black sports cars emerged from the darkness and surrounded us silently. Headlights blazed to life, blinding the thugs.

Car doors opened in unison. A dozen men in black suits stepped out and slammed the thugs to the ground in seconds.

The leader, so arrogant moments ago, now had his face pressed against the asphalt, letting out muffled groans of pain. I walked over and looked down at him.

"Which hand did you use to bang on my window?"

He trembled. The smell of urine hit the air.

I stepped back in disgust. Turning to the leading man, I said, "Return this gift from Ms. Bellini. With interest."

"Yes, Principessa."

I slid into the back seat of one of the sports cars. Behind me, screams tore through the night.