tina'

r in the guest suite, studying

A-line dress with a cowl neckline and short puffy

e emerald necklace with match

ugh," came his voi

against the frame, immaculate in char

my stomach surge. I

lied coolly, adjusting the neckl

ement? Irritation? "Symbolic, perh

g else about th

h. "The lawyers are

felt sterile-glass

posite each other, document

woman named Alessandra Moretti,

e said, voice clipped. "Mr. Ri

fter page-restricting my access to funds, dictating my be

to the library,

sed an eyebr

research facilities. My work doesn

hobby?" Alessand

ion. The same one that made me val

en, unexpectedly, he nodded.

irrored mine.

one left no ro

gned my name beside

lose, his breath warm against my ear. "Your first test begin

ightly. "I

ite-politicians, oil magnates, socialites dripping in jewels. Camer

You look like you're wa

hispered throug

fool everyone but me. "Perhaps. But

-the charming, accomplished fiancée, laughing at the ri

rmly. "Finally, I meet the wo

le genuine. This man couldn't b

zza, it's a

sit. You're even more bea

e wrap around me like silk. "I've heard

vilizations, mos

" he said, chuckling. "I worried Raffaele

t kind of acquisition," I

er. "And honest

elain cups. "Now, tell

. "The Ricchezza na

aving three," I said sm

"Three! You hea

His tone wa

menico said, pa

ter money is rare in our world. Don't worry, my dear. Raffa

nt children. Not with Raffaele. But I

Raffaele said quietly. "

m, champagne flutes in hand. The c

ce carrying effortlessly. "Who brings brilliance

rned to me.

aid in a steady voice, "who reminded me that sometimes

ough as an archaeologist, I can't

ughter. His eyes darkened s

A perfect performance. And my lips tingled with anticipat

he whispered a

ded, unabl

wound its way up a tree-lined drive towa

in. #XRicchezzaRomance was everywhere-headline

creeping in. The media twisted every gl

tina Ricchezza," Raffaele

of rooms larger than my entire apartment. She was eff

rch notes, carefully arranged on shelves. And m

pered. "I'll find out the

e. The house was quiet-p

and library, now accessible thanks to my

s of books, ancient maps framed on walls, c

ng titles. Art history. Archaeology. Mesopot

r. Inside lay a clay tablet, cuneiform markings

auth

tood in the doorway, watchin

overing quickly. "A fragment

w the tablet. "The flood story. One of t

e my surprise. "You're actually i

ntina." His voice dropped slightly.

ologne, his breath on my sk

e you suddenly out of words?" he

ngs," I said, trying to steady my bre

he room. "Feel free

ty gala tomorrow night. Your first official appea

need help

udying me for a moment long

urned to the tablet

ssed on the cover. His collection wasn't just a rich man's hobby. The Ricchezz

rked page listed "orichalcum knowledg

script: "Bianchi's data i

t back, pulse hammering, and slipped into th

ing air. The grounds were immaculate-Mediterrane

n stood near a rose trellis, strugg

" I said, ste

yes widening. "V

ed, suddenly realizing

a's friend. I'm here to see

t ring. "Raffaele Ricchezza? My

plicated,

reful, Valentina. Whatever yo

u knew my father's work. Orichalcu

ng to the villa. "But watch your

ay, leaving me

l with the devil. It w

strike