Chapter 1: An Unexpected Fate

In the midst of the nighttime darkness, Lizzy walked with uncertain steps through the cobblestone streets of the city. The cold embraced her tightly, and the drizzle falling on her unprotected head only added to her desperation. She carried only a small, worn backpack with her most precious belongings, the only things she had held onto since escaping the cold and distant orphanage that had been her only home for years.

She crossed a decaying neighborhood and arrived at a majestic, old-style mansion known in the city's underworld as the home of the leader of a feared criminal organization. It was no place for someone like Lizzy, but she had nowhere else to go. A mix of desperation and determination led her to knock on the front door.

After tense moments, the door opened, revealing a woman with an imposing presence. Sofia, the leader's wife, looked at Lizzy with suspicion, but also with some curiosity at the sight of such a young girl standing at the doorstep of such a dangerous place.

"What are you doing here, child?" Sofia asked with a stern but curious voice, and Lizzy nervously swallowed, aware of the situation.

"My name is Lizzy, ma'am," the young girl murmured with her head down. "I know it's uncomfortable for you to see me standing here in this state, but I'm looking for employment, and I have nowhere else to go. I was told I could find it here, any job you can give me will be fine for me."

Sofia furrowed her brow, considering the situation in which Lizzy found herself. She knew that life in her world was full of dangers and cruelties, and she believed it was not the right place for a girl like her.

"I cannot offer you a job here; it's too dangerous for you, and you're not prepared for what we do," Sofia responded firmly. "This place is not for someone like you. A few blocks from here, there's another house where you can look for employment."

Lizzy fought to hold back the tears that threatened to overflow. She didn't want to give up because that would mean she would continue living on the streets, and after her last nightmare, she absolutely refused to go back there.

"Please, let me prove that I can fend for myself. I'm not afraid to face dangers if it means having a place to sleep and some food."

The conversation had attracted the attention of some men from the organization who were watching Lizzy with interest. Among them, a younger one than the rest approached Sofia and whispered, "Maybe we should give her a chance. We've all had our moments of need."

Sofia hesitated but finally yielded after a few minutes to Lizzy's insistence and her son's persuasion.

"Alright, I'll give you only one chance, but you must be aware of the risks," Sofia warned her. "If you decide to stay, there's no turning back. Your life will change forever."

Lizzy nodded with a mix of gratitude and fear, knowing that this could be her only opportunity to change her fate. She had no idea of the challenges that awaited her, but she was willing to face them bravely.

Sofia led Lizzy through the intricate hallways of the impressive mansion. The dim lights and the whispers of the henchmen passing by created an eerie atmosphere for her. However, Lizzy was overwhelmed by the idea of having a place to stay after so long on the streets.

Finally, they arrived at a spacious and luxurious room. Lizzy marveled at the elegant decor and finely carved furniture. The bed, covered with silk sheets and plush cushions, seemed like paradise to someone who had slept in cold and dirty alleys.

"This will be your room while you're here," Sofia told her as she noticed Lizzy could barely contain her joy.

"It's perfect! I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have a place like this. Thank you, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity, ma'am. I have no way to repay you."

Sofia nodded with reservation; it wasn't the first time she had heard those words.

"You don't have to pay anything; all of this is part of the contract while you work here. But remember, this place is dangerous. Don't let your guard down and stay alert at all times."

Lizzy nodded seriously, understanding that she was entering a dangerous and unknown world. But despite everything, she felt grateful and determined to face any challenge that came her way.

"Anyway, thank you very much, ma'am."

"Thank you will be given when you have the job formally," Sofia said as she walked towards the exit. "See you tomorrow early in the morning, don't be late, and please be punctual."

The sound of the closing door was the last thing the girl heard before closing her eyes and trying to calm her heart with a bath to relax. She watched the water run in the shower as her thoughts traveled to that night that stirred so many emotions.

She had learned that she was pregnant and that night she was going to tell her boyfriend the news, but what she found were two heated bodies on the bed where she slept with him and moans that filled the room until her stomach churned.

She cried; that was the only thing Lizzy did all night until dawn finally arrived and the time to leave slowly approached.

Anxiety overcame her as she walked through the corridors. Throughout the night, she had heard numerous stories about him while she backed against the door to protect herself in case someone tried to enter and harm her. But instead, she came across stories about the ruthless authority and relentless attitude of the leader.

Finally, she arrived at the door leading to Greed's imposing office. She took a moment to take a deep breath and gather her courage before knocking on the door.

"Come in," came Greed's deep voice from inside.

With trembling hands, Lizzy opened the door and entered the room, coming face to face with the man whose reputation had intimidated her since she arrived at the mansion.

Greed Cefalù was seated behind an imposing wooden desk, surrounded by books and documents. His black hair fell in elegant strands, and his brown eyes showed a piercing, cold look. He was elegantly dressed, projecting an image of power and dominance.

"Who are you?" Greed asked with a rough voice, looking at Lizzy with suspicion.

"I'm Lizzy, sir," she responded with a soft but firm voice. "I've come to work as a servant in this mansion, just as Sofia, your mother, told me."

Greed frowned, clearly disgusted by the idea.

"We don't need a servant here," Greed retorted, returning to his documents. "Tell my mother to come; I need to talk to her."

Lizzy felt terrible at Greed's reaction; it was clear he didn't want her there. But she couldn't let that deter her. She knew her presence might bother him, but she was determined to prove her worth.

"Sir, please let me show you that I can be a useful and trustworthy servant. I've been through tough times, and I'm just looking for a chance to change my life."

"I don't care about your story," he grunted, looking at her with disdain. "This place is not for someone like you. Talk to my mother and tell her you're retracting your offer to work with us, then go look for a job somewhere else."

Lizzy swallowed hard, feeling a lump in her throat. She couldn't let Greed discourage her that way.

"I understand your concern, sir," Lizzy said with determination. "But I'm willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to earn your trust."

Greed got up from his chair and approached her with slow but threatening steps. His imposing presence made her feel even smaller and more insignificant.

"I don't care about your determination," Greed told her with a cold voice. "I don't want to see your face in this mansion. Talk to my mother and end this. So don't think for a moment that you'll stay here to come and steal like all the others."

Right at that moment, the door swung open with force, and Sofia, Greed's mother, entered the room with a serious and concerned expression.

"Greed, we need to talk," Sofia said, looking at her son seriously.

Lizzy took the opportunity to leave the room, leaving mother and son discussing. Although she couldn't hear the conversation, she knew she was the main topic.

Feeling defeated and discouraged, Lizzy walked through the corridors in search of a quiet place to reflect. Greed's cold and ruthless attitude had left her thinking enough about what kind of person he was, but she was determined not to give up so easily, even though that man claimed she had come only to steal.

As she walked away, Lizzy saw a small side door that caught her attention, thinking that maybe she could cry and release what was trapped in her chest there. So she decided to enter, but at that very moment, she wished she had never done so. On the other side was a dark and crowded room filled with men who leered at her maliciously.

Meanwhile, inside the office, the discussion between Greed and Sofia was intensifying. Both were firm in their views, each defending their beliefs with determination.

The arguments were intense, and tension in the room was palpable until a deafening crash shook the mansion, instantly silencing the discussion.

Greed and Sofia looked at each other with surprise and alarm in their faces. Without saying a word, they ran together to the source of the noise, guided by the intuition that something serious was happening.

Arriving in the hallway and seeing the door they crossed without delay, but the scene that unfolded before them left them breathless. A group of men was brutally beating Lizzy, who lay on the floor, desperately trying to defend herself.

Greed remained petrified for a moment; his gaze turned icy, and his fists clenched with anger. Although Lizzy was not to his liking, seeing her suffer in this way awakened a sense of indignation within him.

"Stop!" Greed shouted at them with a tone of voice that made it clear his authority and power.

The men stopped for a moment, surprised by the appearance of their leader. But immediately, one of them stepped forward insolently.

"Boss, this servant was trying to escape. We thought she was trying to steal," the man justified, showing no remorse for their cruelty.

Greed looked at Lizzy; she was on the ground, covering her face with her hands, visibly injured. Although he didn't want her in his mansion, he had never authorized this level of violence against her.

"I don't care what you think. No one has the right to touch her without my permission," Greed warned with a cold and resolute voice.

Without another word, the men withdrew, leaving Greed and Sofia with Lizzy. Greed approached her cautiously, trying not to show any emotion on his face.

"Are you okay?" Greed asked her; his voice sounded concerned, though he still maintained his distance.

Lizzy nodded but didn't dare look into Greed's eyes. Shame and pain overwhelmed her equally. It was humiliating to be rescued by someone she had tried unsuccessfully to win over.

On the other hand, Sofia looked at Greed with a mix of concern and fear. She knew her son's strong character, but she had never seen him act so decisively for anyone before.

"Greed, maybe we should consider giving her a second chance," Sofia suggested softly. "We all deserve a second chance."

Greed looked at her seriously. He knew his mother was right, and he hated that it was that way, but his wounded pride from that woman in his past prevented him from accepting the idea that maybe he had been wrong about Lizzy.

"I don't know if I can do that, Mother," Greed said with a hoarse voice. "It's hard for me to trust people, and you saw what happened when I trusted blindly."

"Trust is built over time, Greed. We all make mistakes, but it's not right to hold that girl responsible for a mistake she didn't make."

Greed nodded, feeling a hole in his heart. He knew his mother was right, but his painful past and his fear of being vulnerable kept him trapped in his armor of distrust.

Lizzy, who had listened to the conversation in silence, stood up with difficulty. Although her injuries were painful, her determination was always stronger.

"I'm not seeking your compassion, Mr. Cefalù, and believe me, I don't want it now either," Lizzy told him firmly. "But if you give me a chance, I will prove that I can be a loyal and reliable worker."

Greed looked at her closely, noticing the strength in her words and seeing genuine determination in her. Although he remained distrustful, he could also see the genuine determination in her, something no employee had shown him until now.

"I hope so. Just remember, one mistake, and you're gone."

Lizzy nodded, knowing she had to be alert at all times from that point forward. However, she could also see a spark of hope in Greed's eyes. It was as if deep down in his heart, he wanted to trust her.