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.

"Greetings, my Lord," she said quickly, standing up straight and bowing deeply.

Lorenzo stepped out from the side room, drying his hands with a towel. His piercing gaze locked on her as he approached.

"How bold," he said in a calm yet intimidating tone.

Eva’s heart pounded as she immediately dropped to her knees. "I came to thank you for allowing me to be part of this clan," she said, striving to sound as sincere as possible.

Lorenzo stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke.

"You should leave. Being part of this clan doesn’t guarantee your survival if you betray us," he said coldly.

Eva nodded quickly. "I understand," she replied, rising carefully to her feet.

She walked out the door, her steps steady despite the lingering pain.

"Keep your guard up—I can see right through you," he muttered to himself, his gaze shifting to the box under the chair. Slowly, he reached for it and opened it, sorting through the documents inside. His hand paused on a photograph that had a note stuck to it.

He picked it up, casting a quick glance at it, a soft chuckle slipping from his lips after reading the notes. Rising to his feet, he faced the mirror, his reflection staring back at him. His gaze held for a moment before his hands reached up, slowly peeling away the mask, revealing the true face behind Lorenzo's: Marco.

******

The Luca Clan’s estate buzzed with celebration, but beneath the laughter and music lay the ever-present tension of their world. Tonight, they were welcoming a new member—Eva—a fierce and determined recruit.

The sprawling hall was adorned in the Luca Clan's signature colors of dark crimson and gold. Guests mingled beneath glittering chandeliers, sipping wine and exchanging stories of the clan’s daring exploits, many now centered on their newest recruit.

In a quiet corner, Vanessa stood apart from the crowd, dressed simply in black pants and a tank top. She observed the scene silently, her expression unreadable.

At the far end of the room, Don Marco sat at the head of a long table. His sharp features and cold eyes bore the weight of leadership, his presence demanding attention. Beside him stood Brian, his trusted consigliere, whose calm yet calculating demeanor made him equally intimidating.

The room fell silent as Marco rose, his glass of whiskey in hand. His voice, firm and steady, resonated effortlessly across the hall.

"Tonight, we welcome someone who has proven herself," he began, his piercing eyes shifting toward Eva. "Eva, step forward."

Eva, dressed in a sleek black dress, emerged from the crowd. Her expression was composed, but her mind raced. Every step she took toward Marco brought her closer to the revenge she had planned for years.

"You’ve shown strength, skill, and loyalty," Marco continued. "You’ve earned your place in this family. But know this, being part of the Luca Clan isn’t just about loyalty. It’s about becoming one with us, living and dying for the family."

Brian handed Marco a ceremonial dagger. Marco turned to Eva, his voice dropping into something colder. "Do you swear to uphold the code of this family? To protect it with your life and never betray it?"

Eva met his eyes without flinching. "I swear."

Marco gestured for Eva to kneel. As she obeyed, he took a small blade and made a shallow cut on her palm, then on his own. Pressing their hands together, their mingled blood sealed the ritual.

"Blood for blood. Loyalty until death," Marco intoned solemnly.

"Loyalty until death," Eva echoed, her voice steady. But internally, she scoffed. Loyalty until death? Yeah, right.

The room erupted into applause, but Marco’s gaze never left Eva. He handed her a glass of red wine. "Drink. Tonight, you become one of us."

Eva raised the glass, her hands steady despite the whirlwind in her heart, and drank. Cheers filled the room again as the band began to play, and the party truly began.

At the edge of the room, Olivia rolled her eyes, her disdain for the spectacle barely concealed.

As the celebration unfolded, Eva moved through the crowd, smiling and exchanging polite words with other members. Yet inside, she was anything but calm. The blood oath she had just taken was a façade, a necessary step in her plan.

From across the room, Marco and Brian watched her closely.

"She’s sharp," Brian murmured, swirling his whiskey. "But sharp blades cut both ways."

Marco smirked, his eyes narrowing. "That’s why we keep our enemies close," he replied.

Brian turned to face him, but Marco had already risen from his seat. Without another word, he strode out of the hall, leaving Brian to watch him disappear into the dark hallways.

****

Eva was still smiling with some members when a subtle vibration on her wrist stole her attention...the bracelet linked to the Valentino clan. Its signal was discreet, meant only for her to feel.

Keeping her expression composed, she excused herself with a soft smile and slipped out of the hall. A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed no one was following until Vanessa walk past her like a shadow.

"Be wise," Vanessa murmured, her voice low.

Eva raised an eyebrow, confused, but before she could ask anything, Vanessa had already disappeared.

"Is she even human?" Eva muttered under her breath, shaking off the encounter as she moved toward the quiet garden.

Once there, she tapped the bracelet, lifting her hands to her hair to mimic fixing it...an act of casual disguise. The line connected.

"Finally ready to prove your loyalty to the clan?" a voice said through the bracelet.

Eva barely had time to answer before a hand shot out from behind, grabbing her wrist in a vice like grip. Her bracelet was yanked to the intruder’s ear in a swift, calculated motion.

Eva’s heart raced, her breath hitching as she twisted to free herself, but her strength was no match especially with her injuries slowing her down.

"What’s this? A communication spy device?" The person asked sharply, their words making Eva’s eyes widen as she struggled to stay calm.