The muffled sounds cut sharply through the silence. They were coming from Simone's room.

The door was slightly ajar, leaving a narrow crack. Inside, someone was clearly struggling to hold back their desire.

Tania stopped instinctively and peered through the gap. What she saw would haunt her forever.

Simone stood with his back to the door, just outside the bathroom. He had a black robe hung loose on his shoulders, revealing the smooth lines of his back.

With his head arched back, his Adam's apple bobbed violently. A low, muffled groan escaped his throat, trailing off into a whispered, "Noemi…"

In his hand, he clutched a pale yellow silk scarf. His fingers obsessively stroked the fabric while the other side pressed firmly against his lower abdomen.

His gesture held a fixation that was almost devout.

Tania recognized the scarf instantly. It belonged to Noemi.

Her blood seemed to freeze, and her fingernails dug deep into her palms until they went numb with pain.

Her mind flashed back to a night about a month ago.

Tania had accidentally caught Simone speaking quietly with two men in black suits by a black sedan.

Hiding behind a pillar, she overheard their conversation.

"Don Lanzi, please come back to lead. The famiglia can't go on without you," one man said respectfully.

Simone's tone was cold, yet beneath it lay an uncompromising stubbornness. "Not yet."

"But you've been undercover in the Giordano family for two years!" another urged. "Taking them down should be easy. Why humiliate yourself as a bodyguard? If you like Ms. Noemi, just take her with you. There's no need to complicate things."

"Noemi lacks a sense of security."

Simone's tone softened. "I can't scare her off. I have to win her trust slowly to truly protect her. As for Tania, she's just a convenient cover for me to stay close to the Giordanos."

That hit Tania like a thunderbolt.

The man who'd been her bodyguard for two years was actually the Don of the Lanzi family, undercover all along just for Noemi.

Two years ago, when the Giordano family was ambushed by enemies, Tania nearly died on the streets of Mythran. Simone had suddenly appeared, shielding her and pulling her to safety.

After she woke, she found herself helplessly drawn to him.

He had a face that was as handsome as it was hostile. His features were profound and sharp, and his slightly upturned eyes lent him an air of nonchalant ruthlessness.

When his lips were pressed thin, he radiated a cold, unapproachable vibe, but when he smiled, it was wickedly charming.

His physique was equally striking—tall and lean, with broad shoulders tapering down to a narrow waist.

Simone claimed to be a retired mercenary seeking refuge with the Giordano family. Tania believed him and made him her personal bodyguard.

Throughout these two years, he had stood by her through countless life-or-death moments. He'd taken bullets for her in Ravania, rescued her from kidnappers in Valoria, and even stayed up all night guarding her when some wealthy heir tried to drug her.

Tania had feelings for him.

She had deliberately gotten drunk at parties to fall into his arms, but he only steadied her waist politely, never crossing the line.

When she knocked on his door in the middle of the night in a silk nightgown, claiming a fear of the dark, he merely escorted her back to her room and stood guard outside.

She had faked a cramp in the pool, and he had dove in to save her with clinical efficiency, yet he carefully avoided any lingering contact with her skin.

Tania thought Simone was naturally cold. She believed if she tried harder, she could thaw that icy exterior.

But now she realized he wasn't cold. His warmth and gentleness were simply never meant for her.

Tania thought of her mother, Gisella Raspa, in her final moments.

At that time, Rino had brought his pregnant mistress into the house.

Gisella, already weak, couldn't take the shock. Betrayed by her husband, she fell ill and succumbed to despair.

During all those years alone abroad, Simone's presence was her only comfort. But now, even that fragile solace had turned into a cruel joke.

Suddenly, Simone's phone vibrated inside the room.

He stopped what he was doing and answered in a soft tone, "What's wrong, Ms. Noemi?"

Noemi's sweet voice came from the other end. "Simone, when are you coming back? I'm scared to be home alone, and you promised to take me to the art exhibit in Florinthia."

"I'll be back soon," Simone replied gently. "Just finishing up here, then I'll come find you."

"Don't lie to me, okay?" Noemi pouted. "By the way, is Tania making you stay with her?"

Simone remained silent for a few seconds before replying, "I'm just doing my job as a bodyguard. No one means more to me than you."

That line cut into Tania's heart like a knife.

Unable to hold back any longer, she burst through the door.

Simone stiffened and whipped around, his face still flushed with the afterglow. The scarf slipped from his hand onto the floor.

The air froze, leaving only their breathing mingling in the tension of the room.

The desire lingering in Simone's eyes quickly faded, replaced by his usual cold arrogance.

It was as if the tender moment with the scarf had been nothing but an illusion.

He calmly tightened his bathrobe. The collar slumped loosely, sliding down to reveal the smooth line of his back.

At his feet, the pale yellow scarf was gently hooked behind him and tucked under the carpet.

Tania stepped forward slowly.

She bent to pick up the scarf, then raised her hand to trace his face. "You care this much about a scarf? If Noemi knew, she'd probably cry tears of joy."

Simone's Adam's apple bobbed. He reached for the scarf, but she pressed down on his wrist.

Her chest almost touched his arm, and her warm breath brushed his neck. "Your heart's racing. That felt good, huh? What's wrong? Do you only let your guard down when you're alone with her private belongings?"

Simone took a half step back but found his retreat blocked by a glass partition.

"Come with me to Valoria's underground casino tomorrow. The prize is the 'Falling Star' wedding dress—the final masterpiece of that top designer."

Simone frowned. "Why do you want a wedding dress?"

"No reason." Tania traced his jaw. Her voice was laced with amusement, but her gaze stayed icy. "I just got word that Noemi's going too."

Simone retreated another half step, distancing himself. "I'll go with you, Ms. Giordano. But you're too close. That's against protocol."

Tania scoffed, pulling her hand back and deliberately leaving the scarf on his shoulder. "Here, keep it. Sweet dreams."

The next evening, Tania stepped into the casino wearing a black mermaid dress that hugged her figure. She instantly drew countless eyes.

Simone followed behind without any expression, blocking off anyone who tried to crowd them.

Not far off, Noemi appeared in a white dress. A flicker of derision flashed across her face the moment she saw them. "Tania, you're here too? I thought you only enjoyed going to bars, surrounded by a swarm of men!"

Tania just smirked coldly. Ignoring the provocation, she walked straight to the center table.

Seeing Noemi, Simone moved to stand by her, completely forgetting whose bodyguard he was.

But Tania didn't care. Tonight, she only wanted to win.

Her luck seemed unstoppable. Chips were piled high before her.

Soon, only she and Noemi remained at the table.

As the dealer dealt, Tania sensed something was off.

Through the first few rounds, her sharp instincts led to two wins, and Noemi's expression darkened.

When it came to the crucial hand, the men gathered around Noemi exchanged knowing glances. They were clearly planning something.

Tania was dealt a pair of Aces. Just as she was about to raise, Noemi boldly pushed all her chips into the center. "All in!"

Her own cards had started as a pair of Kings, but at the exact moment Simone appeared to adjust his tie, she suddenly switched hands, revealing a royal flush.

Noemi raised an eyebrow smugly. "Tania, luck's part of the game. Looks like the dress is mine."

Tania sneered silently. She actually saw Simone signaling the dealer to swap the cards earlier.

But she said nothing. After all, this was someone else's territory. Both she and Noemi were from the Giordano family. They rose and fell together.

Besides, dealing with Noemi was child's play. Tania believed that even if Simone went all out for her, she wouldn't need to give it her all to defeat Noemi.

In the following rounds, whenever Noemi fell behind, Simone's subtle signals helped her turn the tide.

Finally, in the last hand, Tania had a straight, while Noemi held three of a kind—she was losing ground fast.

Simone raised his hand to signal, but Tania looked up at him with a captivating glance.

A jolt of alarm shot through him. He jerked his hand back, and his eyes flickered with something complicated.

When the cards were revealed, Noemi's face drained of color. Her three of a kind lost to Tania's straight.

Tania stood, about to signal the auctioneer to start the bidding, when whispers spread through the crowd.

"So what if she won? Getting the wedding dress won't help. With her wild past, which man would marry her for real?"

"Exactly, giving her a designer gown is just a waste."

The taunts grew louder.

Noemi burst into tears, burying her face in her hands before looking up at Tania with a wounded expression. "Tania, I really want that wedding dress…"

At that moment, the side door to the casino burst open. A group of men in black suits flanked a sharply dressed man who strode to the auction stage.

The man flashed a black badge at the auctioneer and announced in a deep voice, "I'm Don Lanzi's Underboss. By order of the Don, the 'Falling Star' wedding dress is now officially reserved for Ms. Noemi. No matter the bids, the final ownership belongs to her."

The entire casino exploded into noise.

"Reserved? Don Lanzi just has to say the words, and any item can be locked in no matter the price!"

"Oddio! Ms. Noemi actually got Don Lanzi to step in personally?"

"No wonder she dared to compete with Ms. Tania. Turns out she had the Lanzi family backing her. Is she going to become the Lanzi family's Madre?"

Noemi froze for a second, then her shock turned into pure delight. She asked shyly, "May I ask where Don Lanzi is? I'd like to thank him in person."

The Underboss nodded respectfully. "Don Lanzi is occupied. He will meet you at the proper time."

Only then did Noemi turn to Tania with her chin slightly lifted. "Tania, are you going to continue gambling with me?"

She tilted her head innocently. "Oh, right. I almost forgot. Don Lanzi already reserved the wedding dress. Even if you win again, it won't matter. In this world, no one has more say than Don Lanzi."

Tania's expression didn't change. She slowly turned toward Simone beside Noemi. He stood in the shadows, his gaze calm and unreadable.

But when he looked at Noemi, the corner of his lips curved faintly.

The casino was still buzzing when Tania turned and walked out first.

Outside, dozens of black Maybachs lined the street. The emblems bore the exclusive crest of the Lanzi family.

One by one, bodyguards stepped out, each carrying an elegant tray.

On them lay priceless gifts—rare pink diamond jewelry, antique paintings, couture gowns, and even the title deed to a private island.

"My God! Are these all from Don Lanzi to Ms. Noemi?"

"Hundreds of millions of dollars just to make her smile?"

"Look at Tania, though. She fought so hard to win and in the end got nothing. She didn't even get the wedding dress. Who would actually marry her?"

The surrounding guests erupted into whispers, their gazes pricking Tania.

She walked toward her car without any expression, though her fingers slowly curled tight.

"Tania, wait for me!" Noemi hurried after her with Simone following close behind. "Tania, look at all these gifts. They're way too much. I feel bad taking them."

Tania glanced at her coolly. "Feeling bad now? You already accepted them."

A look of hurt crossed Noemi's face.

Simone's throat tightened as he prepared to speak up for her, but at that exact moment, Tania's phone began to ring.

She answered, and her best friend Rita Ludovici's voice came through. "Talia, there's a street race on Ridgeway Road. You in?"

"Yeah." Tania agreed without hesitation. She hung up and went straight for the driver's seat.

"A race? I want to go too!" Noemi immediately clung to Simone's sleeve, acting cute. "Simone, I've never seen racing before. Come with me, please?"

Simone looked at Tania, asking her if it was fine with his gaze.

Tania let out a sneer and pulled open the car door. "My car doesn't take outsiders."

With that, she drove off.

"Why is Tania so petty?" Noemi's eyes reddened as she looked at Simone. "I just wanted to join the fun…"

Simone said nothing. He switched cars, opened the passenger door, and said to her, "We'll just follow behind her."

…

After getting out, Noemi and Simone walked behind Tania. Their conversation carried clearly to her ears.

"Simone, do you think Don Lanzi really wants me to marry him? I heard the Lanzi family's Madre is incredibly respected."

"It's very possible," Simone replied gently. "You're so wonderful. You deserve the best of everything."

"What about you?" Noemi suddenly turned to him with an intense gaze. "Would you give me your blessing if Don Lanzi proposed to me?"

Simone smiled. "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

A dull ache spread through Tania's chest.

It was unmistakable. Simone's gaze held a world of tenderness for Noemi, yet it offered Tania nothing but a frozen detachment.

She curled her lips in a bitter smile.