Even with hundreds of millions of dollars spread across his private accounts, including well over one million in liquid cash earned today alone, Luca Hale still felt a genuine rush at suddenly becoming the controlling shareholder of a multi-billion-dollar international airline group.

His eyes drifted toward Naomi Monroe.

Naomi shifted uneasily beneath his gaze.

Whenever Luca bought her something expensive, especially after spending a substantial amount, he always wore that strangely eager expression afterward. She had never understood why. To her, it was simply another one of his mysterious habits.

’Why is he looking at me like that again...?’

Luca, meanwhile, was thinking something entirely different.

Could this beautiful little streaming queen really be my lucky charm?

Just as he was basking in the excitement of his latest system reward, a sharp female voice suddenly rang through the boutique, cutting straight through his thoughts.

"Naomi Monroe! Oh my God, it really is you! It’s been forever!"

A heavily made-up young woman ran over with an exaggerated smile plastered across her face.

"Honey, come over here! Look who I just ran into!"

She looked about the same age as Naomi and was undeniably attractive, though nowhere near Naomi’s level. She was also tall, her heels making her appear just slightly taller than Naomi herself.

As she waved toward the boutique entrance, a bald middle-aged man walked over.

He appeared to be in his late forties. While he wasn’t short, his protruding beer belly and receding hairline destroyed any trace of elegance. If Luca hadn’t heard the woman affectionately call him "honey," he would have assumed they were father and daughter.

The warmth disappeared from Naomi’s face the instant she recognized them.

She knew them far too well.

In fact, the reason she’d wanted to avoid the Chanel boutique earlier was because she’d spotted the pair inside. She’d hoped to avoid them entirely, never imagining they’d cross paths again just minutes later.

The young woman was Connie Santos, Naomi’s former university classmate. The two had studied together in the flight attendant program.

The older man beside her was Chris Reginald, Chief Commercial Officer of Starline Airways Group, one of the company’s most powerful executives.

Months earlier, Chris had personally led Starline’s campus recruitment drive.

Behind the polished executive image, however, he carried a notorious reputation. Rumors about his behavior toward young flight attendants had circulated within the company for years. Fresh recruits without connections or influence often found themselves under intense pressure whenever he took an interest in them.

The moment Chris had laid eyes on Naomi during recruitment, he became obsessed with her.

She was unlike anyone he had ever met. Her delicate features, graceful figure, and naturally gentle temperament captivated him almost instantly. Determined to possess her, he pursued her relentlessly.

Naomi rejected him without hesitation.

Rather than submit to his pressure or tolerate his threats, she walked away from the aviation industry altogether, giving up the career she’d worked so hard for simply to protect her dignity. She was utterly disgusted by Chris Reginald.

It was a rejection Chris had never forgotten.

Seeing her again today rekindled the desire he’d buried months ago.

His eyes gleamed.

"Naomi... ah, forgive me. I should call you Miss Monroe now."

He smiled broadly as he approached, extending his hand with rehearsed gentlemanly charm.

"It’s wonderful seeing you again."

His gaze lingered shamelessly on Naomi’s fair, slender fingers.

Naomi didn’t even glance at the outstretched hand.

Instead, she turned toward the Gucci sales associate and accepted several shopping bags.

When she finally spoke, her voice was cold enough to freeze the room.

"I’m sorry, but I don’t know you, and I have no interest in changing that."

Without waiting for a response, she looked toward Luca and Elena.

"Mom... honey... let’s go."

Honey?

Chris froze.

Honey wasn’t a name you called just any one, Especially not next to her mother.

’Naomi Monroe is married?’

Though his conclusion was pretty vague, it wasn’t crazy to assume that given the circumstances.

Only then did he properly notice the young man standing quietly beside her.

Luca was so strikingly handsome that Chris had initially mistaken him for a professional model hired by Gucci to showcase the latest collection. The thought that this young man was Naomi’s husband had never crossed his mind.

Connie, meanwhile, nearly bit through her teeth.

Jealousy surged inside her.

Why was she standing beside a fat, balding middle-aged executive while Naomi had somehow found a man who looked as though he’d stepped straight out of a magazine?

Judging by the mountain of luxury shopping bags surrounding them, he was wealthy too.

The thought of Naomi being married struck both Chris and Connie like a knife.

For Luca, however, it sounded wonderfully sweet.

Hearing Naomi call him that felt like a warm spring breeze brushing past his heart.

She should call me that more often.

A gentle smile softened his features.

Without a word, he relieved Naomi of the shopping bags before naturally slipping his fingers around her hand.

"Alright," he said warmly. "Let’s go, my wife."

That was the confirmation they didn’t want to hear. It pretty much put all their speculation beyond any doubt.

Standing nearby, Elena Monroe watched the silent exchange with growing amusement.

The two hadn’t even discussed marriage seriously yet, but when trouble appeared, they instinctively stood together as one.

They truly looked like husband and wife.

"Hold it."

Chris stepped forward, deliberately blocking the boutique entrance.

His smile had disappeared.

"Young man," he said coolly, "you’re certainly fortunate to have married someone as exceptional as Miss Monroe."

Luca merely smiled.

"You’re fortunate too."

Chris frowned.

Luca continued calmly.

"It’s nothing short of a biological miracle that someone with your appearance managed to have a daughter old enough to stand here today."

The surrounding sales associates immediately sucked in sharp breaths.

Chris had intended to belittle Luca with subtle sarcasm.

Instead, Luca fired back with a single sentence that mocked both his age and appearance.

"You..."

Chris pointed a trembling finger at him, his face darkening.

"What a sharp tongue. No manners whatsoever."

He turned toward Naomi with obvious contempt.

"Miss Monroe, your taste in men has really declined. Your husband is immature and utterly lacking in class."

Luca’s smile didn’t change.

"I agree," he said lightly. "Your composure is impressive."

Then his eyes grew cold.

"What surprises me is that your daughter still has the patience to tolerate your incompetence."

Chris’s face turned crimson red.

"Hahaha!"

His laughter was filled with anger.

"Funny. Very funny."

"I’ve served as Chief Commercial Officer of Starline Airways Group for years, and never have I met a junior as arrogant as you."

Luca blinked, pretending to think.

"Starline Airways Group?"

His expression suddenly shifted into exaggerated surprise.

"Wait... you just say you’re the Chief Commercial Officer of which airline?"