"I should be wise in here," she muttered under her breath, her gaze falling on the worn leather diary on the small desk across from her. Inside, it contained nothing but the carefully detailed movements of the Valentino clan—their patterns, their weaknesses, their strengths. Everything she needed to know to earn the trust of this clan and execute her plan without making a single mistake now that she was a step closer to her goal.

She sighed, rubbing her temple, the weight of the plan pressing down on her chest. She couldn’t afford distractions. Not now. She had to stay focused and leave no room for errors.

The sound of a knock at her door pulled her from her reverie. Eva stood, already dressed in her all black clothes. As she opened the door, she found one of the guards standing there, a blank expression on his face.

He examined her from head to toe, his gaze lingering just a moment too long. Eva raised an eyebrow, irritation flickering in her eyes, but her voice remained calm.

"What?"

"Nothing," the guard quickly responded, his eyes shifting back to hers. "Just curious how you knew it was exactly the right time for practice—and that you were already dressed."

Eva gave a small, almost nonchalant shrug, her lips curving into a tight smile.

"My instincts don’t lie."

The guard didn’t seem entirely convinced; it was clear she knew more than she let on. But he didn’t press the matter further. "I’ve been asked to guide you to the training ground."

Eva nodded, locking her door behind her. They both left the room, the quiet hum of the building surrounding them. The halls felt colder today, like the tension was slowly creeping into every corner. When they reached the training ground, Eva's eyes scanned the area. Various eyes turned toward her as she stepped in, some cold, others neutral, but all of them watching.

Her eyes immediately locked onto Vanessa, who stood among the group, her cold expression cutting through the air like a blade. Vanessa was a versatile fighter—skilled in archery, swordsmanship, and sniper tactics. She was a force to be reckoned with. And more than that, she preferred to stay out of the spotlight unless it was strictly complicated missions. Eva knew better than to underestimate her.

She scanned the rest of the group...both males and females, standing stiffly, waiting. But waiting for what? Certainly not for her. Eva kept her face impassive, her expression neutral, but a chuckle came from behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was someone trying to get a rise out of her.

"She seems weak." a voice mocked. "I don’t like her."

Eva ignored the comment, focusing on the sound of boots hitting the ground. Her eyes snapped toward the source of the noise.

The group straightened as the figure approached. Marco De Luca, the only son of Lorenzo De Luca. Despite the cruelty of his bloodline, he looked dangerous...and undeniably alluring. His presence alone seemed to command the attention of the room. His icy blue eyes scanned around as he walked toward the front, his gaze briefly flicking to Eva before turning back to the group.

"Morning, boss," the group greeted in unison, their voices low and obedient.

Eva’s heart rate quickened. The moment she'd been preparing for was finally here.

"Ah," Marco said, his voice calm but with an undeniable edge, "you’re the new recruit."

Eva kept her face calm, her pulse steady despite the turmoil inside. She went down on one knee before him.

"Yes, boss," she said, her head bowed just enough to show respect but not submission. "I’m willing to follow your orders."

Marco’s eyes narrowed for a moment as he studied her. "Stand" he said with a sharp, almost bored command.

Eva stood slowly, keeping her posture straight and unwavering. Marco glanced at the person next to him, and before Eva could react, he threw a sword in her direction. Instinctively, she caught it with one hand, her grip firm as she raised an eyebrow. She didn’t need to be told that the test had begun.

"Olivia," Marco called out.

Olivia smirked, unable to pinpoint exactly why, but she felt an instant hatred for Eva. All she wanted was for Eva to be kicked out.

Eva barely had time to register what was happening before Olivia lunged at her, her sharp steel piercing through Eva’s arm. Pain exploded through her, the shock of the injury making her stumble back.

Blood rushed from the wound, but Eva’s mind sharpened immediately. Was this a test? Why didn’t he warn her? She cursed under her breath but quickly steadied herself, raising the sword with one hand as she prepared for what was sure to be a brutal fight.

Her heart pounded in her chest, but she wouldn’t show weakness. Not in front of Marco, not in front of anyone. Not when everything was on the line.

"I suppose you were taught well, not to alert your enemy before you strike," Eva said with a smirk, and her words were enough to make Vanessa glance in her direction.

Vanessa scoffed, rolling her eyes before moving to a seat at the far edge, eager to see if this newcomer could actually stand up to Olivia.

Olivia’s movement was swift the moment Eva uttered those words. Eva hadn’t anticipated such speed as Olivia’s sword slashed through her arm once again, striking the same spot. The cut was deeper this time, more excruciating.

Staggering back, Eva clutched her arm, which was bleeding profusely, the crimson flow relentless, like an open faucet. Her vision blurred from the intense pain, and she realized she was losing too much blood. The real fight hadn’t even begun, and yet, she was already at a disadvantage? No, she wouldn’t let it end like this.

Olivia circled her like a predator, her eyes cold, calculating. The sun glinted off the sharp edge of her sword, casting a deadly reflection that danced across the ground. Eva’s breath came in shallow bursts, her heart pounding against her chest. The crowd of onlookers had fallen silent, watching the exchange with rapt attention.

Marco stood at the edge of the circle, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable. He didn’t flinch, didn’t move, as if this was all part of the plan.

"You’re slower than I expected," Olivia sneered, her voice icy. Without warning, she lunged forward, her blade aimed at Eva’s side with deadly precision.

Eva barely managed to twist her body in time, the tip of Olivia’s sword grazing her ribs. Pain exploded through her, but she suppressed the scream that threatened to escape.

Blood soaked her, streaming from her arms and ribs, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on the pain now. The sword Marco had given her for a reason felt like a foreign weight in her hand, too heavy, too awkward.

She gritted her teeth, refusing to let the discomfort show. Every instinct in her screamed to surrender, but she couldn’t. She needed to prove her worth, she needed to stay here if she truly wanted to destroy the Luca clan.

"You won’t last a minute," Olivia smirked, her voice low and venomous.

Her next attack came fast...too fast for Eva to fully react. Olivia’s blade sliced through the air, aimed directly for Eva’s shoulder.

This time, Eva had no choice but to raise her sword, bracing for the collision. The clatch of steel on steel rang through the training ground, the sound deafening. Her arms trembled under the force of the blow, but she held firm, refusing to let Olivia overpower her.

She could feel the blood still trickling from her arm, but she forced herself to ignore it. The fight wasn’t over yet.

With a quick twist of her body, Eva shoved Olivia back, gaining just enough space to steady herself. She staggered, her breath heavy, the pain in her arm a constant reminder of how close she was to breaking. But she wouldn’t. Not in front of Marco.

Olivia’s lips curled into a smirk. "You’ve got spirit, I’ll give you that," she laughed, stepping forward again.

"Too bad that won’t save you."

The words barely left Olivia’s mouth before she was moving again, faster than Eva could track. She spun, her blade coming in a deadly force. Eva barely managed to dodge, the cold rush of air as the sword whistled past her ear making her pulse race. Adrenaline surged through her veins as instinct took over.

She lunged, her sword aimed directly for Olivia’s side. The blade would have struck her, but Olivia was quicker. She twisted with terrifying speed, bringing the hilt of her sword crashing into Eva’s ribs instead. The impact sent Eva staggering backward, her breath stolen from her as a sharp pain exploded through her chest. She gasped, clutching at her side, trying to force air back into her lungs.

Olivia stepped forward, her eyes glittering with malicious pleasure. "You should have stayed down."

Eva’s vision blurred even more, but she didn’t allow herself to fall. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stand, the sword still gripped tightly in her hand.

"You talk too much," she spat, her voice cold, her words a mask for the pain that burned through her.

But Olivia wasn’t done. Without warning, she thrust her sword forward, aiming for Eva’s stomach. The blade came so fast that Eva barely had time to dodge.

Eva twisted, but Olivia’s sword found its mark, the cold steel plunging into her stomach with brutal force. Eva choked, blood rising in her throat, but she didn’t let herself fall.

"She'll die at this rate." She heard murmurs ripple among the crowd. Vanessa sighed, shaking her head in quiet disapproval.

Before Olivia could pull the blade out, she drove it in again, the steel sinking into Eva’s flesh with a sickening force. This time, Eva couldn’t hold back the scream, the pain overwhelming her as the second strike left her breathless, the world around her rotating dangerously.

Olivia pulled it out of her, ready to strike again but suddenly, the sharp sound of a sword slicing through the air rang out, followed by the loud thud of metal meeting metal. Eva’s eyes snapped open, her heart racing. A flash of steel appeared in front of her...Vanessa. The the one who had stayed quiet, now stood before her. Her sword was pressed against Olivia’s, blocking her from landing a third blow.

"What the hell are you doing?" Olivia hissed, glaring hard at Vanessa, but Vanessa didn’t flinch. Her eyes were cold as always, her expression unreadable.

"I was getting bored," Vanessa said simply, her voice low and controlled, as if she hadn’t just interrupted a deadly duel. She stepped forward, pushing Olivia’s sword away from Eva’s body.

"This isn’t how it’s done, Nessa..." the man beside Marco shouted, his anger rising.

"And how is it done, Brian?" Vanessa tilted her head in his direction, her voice calm but sharp.

"To get killed for being tested? Then I probably should’ve killed you back then, too," Vanessa replied without blinking.

The room fell silent, and everyone exchanged bewildered glances. It was the first time in years Vanessa had spoken at such length.

"Do you know her?" Brian asked, but Vanessa ignored him completely, not even sparing him a glance.

As she turned to face Olivia, Olivia swiftly grabbed the sword lying on the floor and charged toward Eva, who was still sprawled on the ground, covered in her own blood.

Vanessa sighed, weary. She didn’t want to interfere anymore. This wasn’t a place for the weak, after all. All she needed to do now was watch.

As Olivia moved to stab Eva again, Eva twisted from her spot, slowly rising to her feet. Her hand darted to her boot, retrieving a hidden substance.

Olivia frowned at Eva’s sudden movement. Eva was supposed to be weak and powerless now. How had she managed to dodge the strike? Turning fully to face her, Olivia was met with a sharp spray of tear gas. The gas hit her directly in the eyes, leaving her momentarily blinded as her eyes burned fiercely.

Vanessa sighed again, her gaze fixed on Olivia, then clicked her tongue in mild annoyance as she began to leave the ring.

"See that? That’s cheating..." Brian started to step forward, but Vanessa’s sword was suddenly at his neck, stopping him in his tracks. The move was so swift that everyone blinked in shock. Marco remained silent, observing without a word.

"There’s no rule against cheating if it’s about survival," Vanessa said, her voice slicing through the tension like a blade. "Or do you disagree?"

Brian swallowed hard, his anger giving way to uncertainty.

"Retreat," Marco finally said, his voice firm. At his command, Vanessa lowered her sword and stepped back.

"It’s a self-created rule: use whatever method you can to bring down your enemy," Vanessa said, walking out of the ring while Olivia groaned, using her hands to find her way.

Vanessa’s words lingered in the air for a long moment. Eva took a sharp breath, still reeling from the pain, but something in Vanessa’s words settled deep in her chest—a strange, nostalgic feeling. But she didn’t dwell on it. After all, she’d never seen Vanessa in her life.

She looked up, expecting everyone to cast hateful glares at her, but none came. Well, pity shouldn’t be a part of Mafia rules, right? Maybe that’s what she thought.

Marco’s gaze shifted from Eva to Vanessa, and for the first time during the test, a small smirk played at the corners of his lips.

"Prepare a welcome party for our new clan member," Marco said finally, walking away with two others beside him.

"Training’s canceled for today," Brian added, following Marco and the others.

Eva smiled softly, but the smile quickly faded as she collapsed, losing consciousness.

******

Eva slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurry at first. The room was quiet, and her body hurt all over, especially her bandaged stomach. She pushed herself up a little, even though the pain made it hard to move.

"Take me to see godfather" she said weakly.

The nurse by her side shook her head and gently pushed her back. "You can’t. You need to rest. You’re not well enough to move."

Eva frowned, trying to sit up, but before she could say anything, a voice came from the door.

"I don’t think you can, not like this. But I must admit, you’re tough."

Eva turned to see a girl standing in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame. She looked calm but confident.

"I’m Sunshine," the girl said, walking into the room. "I handle all things tech." She winked.

Eva nodded lightly.

"I need to see Lord Lorenzo," she muttered.

Sunshine raised an eyebrow and gave her a small smile. "Then go. You'll find him in the same room you were sent to yesterday."

The nurse turned to face Sunshine, who simply shrugged, clearly unconcerned.

Eva whispered a thank you and slowly got out of bed. Pain shot through her stomach, making her clutch her bandages tightly, but she gritted her teeth and kept going.

"You’re being reckless,"the nurse muttered, shaking her head.

Eva ignored her. She forced herself to walk, each step sharp and painful. As she made her way down the hallway, she spotted someone familiar walking ahead of her.

"Vanessa…" Eva whispered softly, almost to herself.

Vanessa didn’t stop or even turn around. She kept walking, her steps calm and steady, as if she hadn’t heard anything.

Eva took a deep breath as she continued toward the room. When she reached the door, she knocked firmly. No one answered.

She frowned, noticing that the guards who had been there yesterday were gone. It felt strange, yet she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was empty. Her eyes scanned the space, her eyes falling on a small box under the chair Lorenzo had sat on yesterday. Her curiosity grew.

Looking around to make sure no one was there, Eva took a step forward. The room was silent, giving her the courage to bend down and reach for the box.

But before she could grab it, the sound of running water stopped. A door inside the room opened, and Eva froze.