Chapter 1

Martina Romano stood on the steps of the imposing Saviano mansion, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. She had spent years as an investigative journalist, uncovering the truth behind the city's darkest secrets, but today was different. Today, she was stepping into the lion’s den.

Martina clutched the fake invitation in her hand, her eyes scanning the elaborate script and gold trim. She had worked tirelessly to create a convincing replica, hoping to blend in with the guests and gain access to the mansion. Her target today was Ares Saviano, the matriarch of the Saviano family, who was celebrating his mother's birthday Gabriella Saviano today with a grand party.

Martina's sources hinted at a deep-seated connection between the Savianos and the criminal underworld, and she aimed to uncover the evidence herself. With a deep breath,

Martina approached the mansion's entrance, where a burly security guard stood watch. She extended her hand, offering him the invitation. The guard, with a stern expression, took the invitation and scanned it on his iPad.

Martina's heart raced as she waited, every second feeling like an eternity. She worried that her carefully crafted plan would unravel if the guard detected the forgery. But to her relief, after what seemed like an eternity, the guard nodded and returned the invitation.

"You're clear to enter Miss," he said, stepping aside to let her through. Martina exhaled a sigh of relief, her nerves settling as she stepped into the lavish foyer of the Saviano mansion.

Martina stepped inside, her eyes quickly taking in the grandeur of the mansion. The opulence was overwhelming, from the marble floors to the glittering chandeliers. She moved gracefully through the foyer, trying to blend in with the crowd of elegantly dressed guests.

The party was in full swing, with laughter and conversation filling the air. Martina made her way through the throng, her eyes discreetly scanning the room for any sign of evidence. She knew this was her chance to gather crucial information about the Saviano empire.

As she moved through the crowd, she spotted Ares Saviano across the room. He was standing with his mother, a charming smile on his face as he greeted guests. Martina's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself. She needed to stay focused.

Martina had only seen Ares in pictures and on the news; this was the first time she was seeing him in person. They said just one look into his eyes was deadly, and even though he wasn't looking at her, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

Ares Saviano exuded an aura of power and danger. His tall, imposing figure was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, and his presence commanded attention. Martina's breath caught in her throat as she watched him interact with the guests, his every move calculated and controlled.

Martina took a deep breath and reminded herself of her mission. She couldn’t let his presence intimidate her. Gathering her courage, she edged closer, hoping to overhear something useful. The guests around her chatted and laughed, unaware of her true purpose.

She slipped into a side corridor, away from the main party, She passed by several closed doors, listening carefully before moving on. The sound of footsteps approaching made her heart race, but she quickly ducked into an empty room, pressing herself against the wall. She held her breath as the footsteps passed, then exhaled quietly, relieved.

The mansion was a labyrinth of corridors and rooms, but Martina had studied the floor plan meticulously. She moved quickly and quietly, her heart pounding in her chest. Finally, she reached the study door. She glanced around once more before slipping inside.

The study was as grand as she had imagined, with dark wood paneling and a large mahogany desk. Martina wasted no time, moving to the desk and starting to sift through the papers. She knew she had to be quick—any moment, someone could walk in and discover her.

As she rifled through the documents, she heard footsteps approaching. Panic surged through her, but she forced herself to remain calm. She quickly shoved the papers back into place and ducked behind a large armchair just as the door opened.

Ares walked in, his phone pressed to his ear. Martina could hear his deep voice, firm and commanding.

"Handle the situation," he said, a hint of irritation in his tone. "I can't leave my mother's birthday. I promised her I would stay."

He paused, looking around the study, his eyes scanning the room. Martina's heart raced faster than ever, afraid she would get caught. She pressed herself closer to the armchair, barely daring to breathe.

Ares walked slowly, his eyes lingering on various items in the room. He stopped dangerously close to where Martina was hiding. Her palms were sweaty, her pulse pounding in her ears. Just when she thought she couldn't bear the tension any longer, Ares turned and walked towards the door.

"Make sure it's done," he said into the phone before hanging up. He left the study, closing the door behind him. Martina let out a shaky breath, relief flooding over her. She waited a few moments to ensure he was truly gone before emerging from her hiding spot.

Martina let out a sigh of relief and quickly resumed her search. She found a hidden compartment in the desk and pulled out a stack of documents. Her eyes widened as she scanned the pages—this was exactly what she needed. Evidence of money laundering, extortion, and other criminal activities. She took out her phone and quickly snapped photos of the documents before carefully replacing them.

She knew she couldn’t stay much longer. With the evidence safely stored on her phone, she slipped out of the study and made her way back to the party. She mingled with the guests for a few more minutes, ensuring she wasn’t seen leaving the study, and then made her way towards the exit.

As she stepped outside, she felt a wave of triumph. She had risked everything, and it had paid off. But as she descended the steps of the Saviano mansion, a voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Leaving so soon, Miss?"