Anthony leaned back in his leather armchair , the soft glow of his office lights casting long shadows on the walls . His thoughts drifted back to the jewelry store , to Maria's Stoic expression as she perused the glittering displays . He had taken her there with a dual purpose : to flaunt his wealth and to show his enemies that he was unbothered by the recent upheavals in the mafia world . The luxurious setting was meant to impress , to dazzle , to make her feel overwhelmed by the grandeur and opulence .
But Maria had remained impassive , her cool detachment both infuriating and intriguing . He had expected some reaction , some sign that she was impressed or at least intimidated by the wealth and luxury that surrounded her . Instead , she had treated the entire experience with a dispassio
