She Walked Past the Mafia Boss Without Looking Back, and His Next Order Shocked Everyone
Chapter 1
Why did the most feared man in the colony order his guards to protect the woman who had just ignored him?
The room went silent when Elena Moretti walked past Matteo Belladonna without lowering her eyes.
Every merchant, dockworker, servant, and armed guard in the tavern knew the rule.
When the Don entered, people moved aside.
When he spoke, people listened.
And when he looked at someone, that person stopped.
But Elena kept walking.
Her dark wool skirt brushed the wooden floor as she carried a basket of bread toward the kitchen.
She did not bow.
She did not greet him.
She did not even glance at him.
Matteo watched her pass.
One of his captains whispered, “Don Matteo?”
Matteo raised one hand.
Everyone froze.
Elena reached the kitchen door.
Then Matteo spoke.
“Stop her.”
Three guards immediately stepped forward.
Elena stopped.
Slowly, she turned.
The room held its breath.
Matteo stood near the center table, dressed in a black coat, his expression unreadable.
“You ignored me,” he said.
Elena looked at him.
“No.”
A murmur moved through the room.
Matteo’s eyebrow lifted.
“I didn’t see you.”
One guard looked horrified.
Matteo stared at her for several seconds.
Then, to everyone’s surprise, he smiled.
“Let her go.”
The guards stepped aside.
Elena walked through the kitchen door.
The room erupted in whispers.
But Matteo wasn’t watching the door anymore.
He was watching the man standing beside the bar.
A man who had gone pale the moment Elena disappeared.
Matteo pointed at him.
“You.”
The man swallowed.
“Yes, Don?”
“Follow her.”
Everyone expected Matteo to order the woman’s arrest.
Instead, his next command stunned the entire room.
“Protect her with your life.”
