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."
