From Maid to Madre

Gianna Rossi struggled in the slums for over a decade before she accidentally discovered she was the biological daughter of the don of the Ricci famiglia, also known as the Gray Wolf famiglia, Domenico Ricci.

She tried to reunite with her family, only to be ruthlessly driven away by the Soldati outside the estate. They left her battered and bruised.

Her lover, Matteo Santoro, wiped the blood from her wounds and swore he would infiltrate the famiglia himself to seek revenge against the Ricci family's fake Principessa on her behalf.

Once he successfully seized power and took control of the Riccis' arms operation, he would restore Gianna to her rightful place as the cherished daughter of the Ricci family.

She believed in his sacrifice and endurance. She hid in the shadows as his secret lover, convinced that his public displays with the fake Principessa were nothing but an act.

Yet one night, Matteo got engaged to the fake Principessa.

Gianna stood in the corner wearing a server's uniform, watching their happiness unfold. She was a fool who had been played for.

The tip was thrown at Gianna Rossi's feet just as the engagement party for the Gray Wolf famiglia's Principessa began.

She bent down to pick up the crumpled bills, but her gaze kept drifting to Matteo Santoro in the center of the crowd. Her throat tightened with bitterness.

Just this morning, they had been wrapped up in each other. Now, he was the Principessa's fiancé and the famiglia's newly promoted Underboss.

The sight of them embracing intimately was particularly painful to watch.

Gianna turned to leave. Before she could take a step, she heard a woman's languid sigh.

"Just drinking is so boring!"

Lucia Ricci toyed with her revolver, her beautiful eyes sweeping across the room before finally locking onto Gianna.

"Hey, you with the tray. Come here!"

"Principessa, how may I serve you?" Gianna lowered her voice, trying to disguise her natural tone.

The other woman tossed her a shot glass the size of a thumb and commanded, "Put it on your head."

Gianna looked up in shock, only to see Lucia waving the gun in her hand with an unrestrained smile.

"I'm in a good mood today. Let me show everyone my shooting skills."

Gianna's heart clenched. She looked desperately toward the distinguished, aloof man. Cigar smoke swirled around him, blocking his line of sight.

There was no rescue or intervention as she had hoped. He simply checked the safety, then handed the gun back to Lucia.

His movements were smooth and elegant, his tone indulgent. "Keep your hand steady. Don't frighten the guests."

"Hurry up!" A Soldato shoved Gianna roughly forward.

Gianna stumbled two steps, trembling as she raised her hand and placed the glass on top of her head.

"Don't shake. You're shaking so much that I can't aim properly." Lucia raised the gun with one hand, her posture arrogant and casual.

Facing the dark barrel of a gun, fear was instinctive.

A familiar cramping