"Of course I came to see you." Luca Hale smiled teasingly. "I’ve been thinking about you day and night ever since we met."

Miss Brooks pouted and looked away, refusing to entertain him.

Perhaps before the auction she might have believed those words.

Not anymore.

Ever since she’d seen Naomi Monroe standing beside him that day, any unrealistic thoughts she’d once entertained had quietly disappeared.

Miss Brooks had always been confident in both her appearance and figure, but even she had to admit that Naomi was simply extraordinary.

It wasn’t just her beauty.

It was the pure, innocent aura surrounding her.

Even another woman couldn’t help wanting to protect that innocence.

Naomi reminded her of a lotus blooming quietly in a clear pond, untouched by the world around it. Elegant yet unassuming, delicate yet impossible to ignore. She possessed a rare kind of beauty that invited admiration rather than desire, the sort that made people instinctively treat her with care.

Very few women could compare.

In Miss Brooks’ eyes, only her own CEO, Vivienne, possessed beauty on a similar level. The two women were completely different in temperament, yet each was breathtaking in her own way.

With someone like Naomi as his girlfriend...

Would Luca ever fall for another woman?

Unfortunately for Miss Brooks...

She clearly didn’t know Luca well enough.

If someone had asked Luca that question, his answer would have been immediate.

’Of course.’

’Your CEO isn’t exactly easy to ignore either.’

"Director Brooks," Luca said, interrupting her thoughts, "where’s the shareholders’ meeting being held?"

His question caught her off guard.

She had been trying to guess why Luca had suddenly appeared at Octaveo Pharmaceutical, but hearing him mention the shareholders’ meeting left her even more puzzled.

She chose not to ask.

"I’m heading to the executive building myself," she replied. "Come with me."

Luca nodded.

"Lead the way."

...

As they walked across the company grounds together, they attracted no shortage of attention.

Miss Brooks was one of Octaveo Pharmaceutical’s most recognizable young executives. Seeing her accompanied by an unfamiliar man was already enough to spark curiosity.

Unfortunately for the gossiping employees...

The unfamiliar man happened to be exceptionally handsome.

Combined with the easy smile that rarely left Luca’s face, he immediately became the center of attention.

Whispers spread through the corridors.

"Who is he?"

"Director Brooks has a boyfriend?"

"I’ve never seen him before..."

Some rumors became even more outrageous, with a few employees joking that Director Brooks had boldly brought a handsome gigolo straight into the company.

Luca ignored every word.

He had long grown accustomed to people talking behind his back.

Even during university, rumors had followed him wherever he went. If he’d wasted time explaining every one of them, he’d have driven himself crazy years ago.

Noticing the curious stares around them, Miss Brooks cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Mr. Hale... I’m sorry. Our company has a lot of young women, and... well... gossip spreads pretty quickly."

Luca smiled indifferently.

"It doesn’t bother me."

After a brief silence, Miss Brooks finally asked the question that had been bothering her.

"Mr. Hale... may I ask which shareholder invited you here today?"

She had never once considered the possibility that Luca himself might be a shareholder.

If he really owned shares in Octaveo Pharmaceutical, surely she would have met him before now.

The only logical explanation was that another shareholder had invited him over to discuss business.

Luca laughed.

"Director Brooks..."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Why can’t I be a shareholder?"

Before she could respond, Luca walked straight to the reception desk.

He casually showed the electronic invitation on his phone, signed the attendance register, and entered the restricted area without the slightest hesitation.

Watching the entire process unfold, Miss Brooks froze where she stood.

Her beautiful eyes widened.

No matter how hard she tried to process it...

She simply couldn’t believe it.

Luca Hale...

Was actually one of Octaveo Pharmaceutical’s shareholders.

In the blink of an eye, the man she’d viewed as a business partner had suddenly become one of her bosses.

"...Director Hale..."

She spoke uncertainly, momentarily unsure how she should address him.

Luca waved dismissively.

"Just call me Mr. Hale."

He had never cared much about titles.

Before Miss Brooks could say anything else, a hearty laugh echoed through the spacious lobby.

"Haha! Director Hale, welcome!"

A middle-aged man wearing a tailored suit and gold-rimmed glasses strode forward with an approachable smile.

Benjamin Caldwell.

His refined appearance made him look more like a university professor than a businessman.

He extended his hand warmly.

Luca’s lips curved into a faint smile as he shook it.

"Chairman Caldwell, I presume."

"I’ve heard quite a bit about you."

"And seeing you today certainly lives up to the reputation."

Although it was their first meeting, the two men greeted each other with practiced warmth, looking every bit like old acquaintances.

The surrounding shareholders quickly stepped forward one after another, introducing themselves and exchanging pleasantries with Luca.

It was obvious Benjamin had already briefed everyone beforehand.

At least on the surface...

Everything appeared perfectly harmonious.

Just then, Benjamin turned around and gave the young man standing behind him a firm pat on the shoulder.

"Go on."

Tristian Caldwell’s body stiffened.

The moment his eyes met Luca’s, embarrassment and resentment flashed across his face.

This was the man who had humiliated him at the auction.

Not only had he lost face in public, he’d later been dragged into a side room and beaten up.

Worst of all...

Instead of defending him afterward, his own father had scolded him mercilessly.

Now...

He was being forced to apologize in front of everyone.

Even though every fiber of his being resisted it, Tristian still lowered his head.

"Mr. Hale..."

"I’m sorry."

"I offended you that day."

"I hope you’ll forgive my behavior."

By the time he finished speaking, his voice was trembling with humiliation.

But he had no choice.

Benjamin’s entire plan depended on maintaining Luca’s goodwill.

Luca simply smiled.

"It’s fine."

"Young people make impulsive decisions."

He patted Tristian lightly on the shoulder.

"Just think a little more before acting next time."

His calm, almost elder-like tone made Tristian feel even more frustrated.

Yet he could only endure it.

After all...

As the third-largest shareholder of Octaveo Pharmaceutical, Luca no longer stood on the same level as him.

The only people inside the company who could truly stand alongside Luca now were Benjamin Caldwell...

And Vivienne.