After returning home, Giovanni couldn't wait to sketch the map he had seen in Elena's study. Despite only a fleeting glance, he remembered it clearly — the map marked several key locations, including Pompeii, the ancient city of Troy, and a symbol named "The Wheel of Fate."
"Master, this map likely points to other fragments of the Wheel of Fate," Aletia's voice echoed in his mind. "We must find them as soon as possible, or our enemies might get there first."
Giovanni nodded: "But these locations are spread out far and wide. Where should we start?"
Aletia pondered for a moment: "Start with the nearest place. For example, the abandoned monastery mentioned on the map is just outside Naples."
At that moment, Sophia and Isabella suddenly knocked on the door. They obviously couldn't wait any longer to explain some things.
"Giovanni, we need to talk," Sophia got straight to the point. "Regarding last night's events, you have the right to know the truth."
Isabella added: "But before that, promise us one thing — no matter what you hear, don't panic."
Giovanni frowned: "Alright, go ahead."
Sophia took a deep breath and slowly said: "Actually, we belong to a secret organization dedicated to studying the secrets of ancient civilizations. Our mission is to assist you in uncovering the truth about the Wheel of Fate."
"Why me?" Giovanni asked, puzzled.
Isabella took over: "Because your father, Marco Russo, wasn't just an ordinary archaeologist. He was a member of our organization, responsible for investigating the whereabouts of the Wheel of Fate. And now, you have inherited his mission."
Giovanni felt a wave of shock: "So, my father's death wasn't an accident?"
Sophia nodded: "Exactly. His discoveries threatened the interests of certain forces, so he was silenced. The ring and fragment you now possess are exactly what they want."
Aletia snorted: "Master, it seems these people haven't told us the whole truth. But at least we know part of it now."
After returning to school the next day, Giovanni found himself under even more scrutiny. Not only because of his performance on the sports field but also because someone had taken photos of him attending Elena's party and posted them on social media.
"Wow, Giovanni actually attended a gathering with Madame Elena!" The students buzzed with gossip. "What kind of background does he have?"
Even a few upperclassmen actively approached him, trying to pry out more information. However, Giovanni remained low-key, avoiding drawing too much attention.
"Master, these mortals are really annoying," Aletia complained from inside the ring.
Giovanni couldn't help but laugh: "Stop it, Aletia. Our current goal is to find the next fragment, not to stir up trouble at school."
However, Aletia clearly wasn't willing to let it go. She began teasing Giovanni with a sarcastic tone.
"Master, look at that girl in the pink dress. Her eyes are practically devouring you!" Aletia's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Do you want me to teach her some manners?"
Giovanni shook his head helplessly. "No way! You promised you wouldn't interfere randomly, right?"
Aletia pretended to be angry and huffed. "Fine, since Master said so, I'll let her off for now. But if she dares to take another step closer to you, don't blame me for losing my temper!"
Despite Giovanni's attempts to stay away from trouble, fate seemed unwilling to leave him alone. A few days later, he received another text message from Elena: "Dear Giovanni, it was such a pity that you left in a hurry last time. Tonight, I'm hosting a small gathering at my place. I hope you can make it. Here's the address."
Giovanni frowned, feeling uneasy. "Aletia, do you think I should go?"
"Of course not!" Aletia immediately responded. "This woman definitely has ulterior motives, and her intentions aren't as simple as they seem."
However, Sophia and Isabella suddenly appeared beside him, smiling. "We heard you're going to attend Elena's party? We've also been invited, so why don't we go together?"
Giovanni was taken aback. "You know her too?"
Sophia nodded. "She's one of the most powerful women in the area, with a very complicated network of connections. If you don't want to raise suspicion, it's best to go."
Reluctantly, Giovanni had no choice but to agree.
That evening, Giovanni followed Sophia and Isabella to Elena's villa. The villa was brightly lit, and guests chatted in small groups, the air filled with the scent of expensive perfumes.
Elena greeted them personally. She had changed into an even sexier red evening gown paired with stiletto heels, exuding a fatal attraction. "Welcome, dear Giovanni." She extended her hand and led him into the living room. "Please sit down; I'll have someone bring us the finest wine."
Giovanni sat on the sofa, feeling extremely uncomfortable. He tried to find a topic to ease the awkwardness. "Madame Elena, I still don't quite understand why you're so interested in me…"
Elena brought over two glasses of red wine, handing one to him while elegantly sitting opposite him. "Because I think you're different." She took a sip of wine, her gaze meaningful. "Do you know? Some people are destined to stand in the spotlight, and you're one of them."
Giovanni forced a smile. "Thank you for your recognition, but I really don't think there's anything special about me."
Elena set down her glass and slowly leaned closer, her fingertips lightly brushing his cheek. "Don't deny your charm, dear. I just want to help you achieve greater value. Of course, in return, you'll need to offer something…"
Her tone gradually became more ambiguous, her body almost pressing against his. Giovanni felt a wave of panic and quickly backed away. "Madame Elena, I think you might be mistaken. I don't have any plans right now, and I don't want to get involved in anything complicated."
Elena was momentarily surprised but then smiled. "It seems you're more cautious than I thought. But don't worry, time will prove everything."
Just as she was about to make another move, Giovanni abruptly stood up, his tone firm. "Sorry, I need to go home."
With that, he rushed out of the villa and didn't stop until he reached the street, panting. Aletia's voice rang out again. "Master, you almost got yourself into trouble! This woman is definitely problematic!"
Giovanni wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, inwardly relieved. "You're right. I'll be more careful from now on."
Back home, Giovanni sat at his desk, replaying the events of the night in his mind. Elena's beauty and charm were indeed hard to resist, but he vaguely sensed that behind it all lay some dangerous conspiracy.
"Master, our peaceful days won't last long," Aletia murmured. "But as long as we stand united, nothing is impossible."
Outside the window, dark clouds gathered once again, and thunder split the night sky. A new adventure was quietly brewing…
Returning home after the party, Giovanni couldn't shake off the unease lingering in his heart. He kept recalling every detail of the evening — Elena's seductive gaze, her cryptic words, and the subtle yet palpable tension in the air. Although her charm was undeniable, Giovanni felt an instinctive wariness, as if a hidden danger lurked beneath her elegant facade.
"Aletia, do you think she knows about the ring?" Giovanni finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with anxiety.
"I'm sure of it," Aletia replied, her tone serious. "She's not just some wealthy socialite throwing lavish parties. There's something deeper going on here, and we need to tread carefully."
Giovanni sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I feel like I'm being pulled into something much bigger than myself. Every step forward seems to lead to more questions and dangers."
Aletia's voice softened, carrying a note of reassurance. "Master, you're not alone in this. Remember, I'm here to protect you. Together, we can face whatever comes our way."
Hearing Aletia's words, Giovanni felt a small sense of relief wash over him. Despite the mounting pressure, he realized that he had grown stronger since the beginning of this journey. The challenges he faced were no longer just external threats but also internal battles — the fear of failure, the weight of responsibility, and the constant questioning of whom to trust.
As he stared at the map sketched on his desk, Giovanni's resolve hardened. "If my father sacrificed everything to uncover the truth, then I owe it to him to see this through. No matter how dangerous it gets, I can't back down now."
Aletia, sensing his determination, smiled faintly. "That's the spirit, Master. With courage like that, we can overcome anything."
The storm outside continued to rage, but within Giovanni, a newfound clarity emerged. He knew the road ahead would be fraught with peril, but for the first time, he felt ready to face it head-on.