"If you understand, that's good. I'm leaving now, baby. Bye," Matteo said as he walked away.
He got into a sleek black Mercedes, and the driver pulled toward the gate.
The moment the car moved, Luna sprang into action.
She grabbed the gown she had left in the living room, tossed it over the back of a chair, and slipped into the dress she had prepared for her disguise. Her heart pounded as she rushed outside, timing her steps with the opening of the gate. As Matteo's car exited, she slipped out behind it before the gatekeeper noticed.
She raised her phone and called the taxi.
"Come closer to the gate. Now!" she whispered urgently.
The taxi pulled up. She jumped inside.
"Follow that man. Follow him!" she said.
The driver pulled out immediately, keeping a careful distance behind Matteo's car.
Luna clasped her hands together, whispering to herself.
I need proof. I need to know everything. Maybe I can make him stop. I don't understand this world, but I know it's cruel. I don't want him living like this. I love him. And I know he loves me. When I find out the truth, I'll make him leave this life.
After thirty minutes, the driver glanced at her through the mirror.
"Madam, I've been following this man for a long time. Where exactly are we going? I have a family to feed. I can't just chase someone without a destination."
She opened her purse and pulled out a thick bundle of cash.
"Is money the problem?" she asked calmly.
She placed it in his hand.
The driver froze.
His hands trembled as he stared at the money. It was more than he earned in months. Enough to buy another taxi. Enough to change his life.
Tears filled his eyes.
"Thank you, ma. I'll follow him for a whole week if you want."
"Just follow him," Luna said.
"Yes, ma."
Suddenly, Matteo's car slowed and pulled over.
The taxi stopped a short distance away.
Matteo stepped out and walked into a restaurant.
Luna quickly put on her sunglasses and wide hat, grabbed the newspaper from her bag, and stepped out.
She followed him inside.
Her heart beat wildly as she saw Lorenzo standing and greeting Matteo. She turned her face away, pretending to read the newspaper, and moved to a nearby table, sitting behind them.
She lifted the paper higher, hiding her face.
"Lorenzo, how is it? Is everything going smoothly?" Matteo asked.
"Yes, sir. The drugs we smuggled from overseas have already been shipped to Italy. They'll arrive at the usual warehouse in two or three days."
Matteo nodded. "Good. They're worth millions. People are desperate for them. But we still need to pay off the police and certain government officials. That's why we remain untouchable. Since I took over, everything has been easy."
"Yes, sir. I'm grateful you made me your right-hand man," Lorenzo said. "Now, about the file. That's what I wanted to discuss."
Matteo leaned forward. "Go on."
"The file shows the money stolen from the former mafia boss. A massive amount. Several families are fighting over it. We believe it's buried underground. We only need your order to begin searching."
Matteo exhaled slowly. "You're right. Money fuels power. If someone else finds it, they could challenge me."
"So we must take it at all costs," Lorenzo said.
"But if we do," Matteo continued, "there will be blood. The former boss's loyal men will fight for it. If we take it, it could start a war."
"That doesn't matter," Lorenzo replied coldly. "We kill anyone who stands in our way. Your identity must remain hidden. I'll handle everything. You only need to lead."
Matteo was silent for a moment.
"I already have billions," he said. "But if someone else takes that money, even a few million could threaten me. I won't allow that. We take it."
"Then we kill anyone who tries to stop us," Lorenzo said.
Matteo nodded. "Send more men. Search every property he owned. Cemeteries. Graveyards. Everything. The money is underground somewhere."
Luna felt her hands shaking beneath the table.
This isn't my husband.
This is a monster.
Her chest felt tight. Her breath came shallow.
Why is he like this? Why does he want more? We already had everything.
Tears burned her eyes, but she forced them back.
I have to be strong. I need to know why he chose this life.
"I want to be there when the money is found," Matteo said. "Inform me immediately."
"I will," Lorenzo replied. Then he hesitated. "But there's something else… your wife. When she visited my estate, she seemed uneasy. Something felt off. She doesn't know anything about the underground house, does she?"
Matteo chuckled softly. "No. She knows nothing. She just gets nervous sometimes. That was her first time there."
Luna's heart dropped.
They noticed.
Not only Matteo—but Lorenzo too.
Relief washed over her that they still believed she was innocent, but fear followed immediately.
If they ever suspected her…
She didn't want to imagine what would happen.