Miss Brooks’s expression shifted ever so slightly before she quickly composed herself. Outwardly, she remained calm, but inside, her thoughts were in complete turmoil.

Once the initial shock faded, a deep sense of unease settled over her.

Luca Hale had clearly been invited by Benjamin Caldwell. Regardless of how many shares he owned, there was every reason to believe he intended to support Benjamin. If that was the case, Vivienne’s already fragile position at today’s shareholders’ meeting had become even more precarious.

Taking a steady breath, Miss Brooks clenched her fists and walked over to Luca.

"Director Hale... would you mind if we spoke privately?"

After Benjamin Caldwell and the other shareholders had walked away, she lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear.

To anyone watching, however, the distance between them looked almost nonexistent. In her haste, Miss Brooks had unconsciously stepped far too close. Her soft figure brushed lightly against Luca’s arm, and the faint floral perfume lingering on her carried a subtle sweetness.

The employees nearby immediately exchanged curious glances.

’Those two look awfully close...’

Realizing how intimate it must appear, Miss Brooks felt heat creep onto her cheeks. Even so, she didn’t step away.

If there was even the slightest chance of persuading Luca to stand beside Vivienne, she couldn’t afford to worry about appearances.

"Oh?" Luca asked with an amused smile. "What does Director Brooks want to discuss?"

"There are too many people here." She glanced around nervously. "Would you mind coming to my office?"

Luca chuckled and shook his head.

"If you’re planning to ask me to support Vivienne, then there’s no need."

His words were calm, but he made no attempt to hide them.

Miss Brooks froze.

He had seen straight through her intentions before she’d even spoken.

Watching the color drain from her face, Luca couldn’t help but admire her loyalty. Despite everything happening inside Octaveo Pharmaceutical, there were still people like her who had stood beside Vivienne’s father for years and remained unwavering in their support of his daughter.

Unfortunately, Miss Brooks didn’t know what he was thinking.

She only heard a rejection.

A bitter feeling welled up inside her.

Is this really the end?

After today’s meeting... will CEO Vivienne actually lose everything?

Just as despair began to take hold, Luca spoke again.

"Director Brooks."

She looked up instinctively.

"Where’s Vivienne’s office? Mind taking me there?"

For a moment, hope returned to her eyes.

Could things still turn around?

"O-of course." She nodded repeatedly. "Please, follow me."

The two entered the elevator together.

A short while later, they arrived outside the chairman’s office.

"Is the chairman inside?" Miss Brooks asked the young secretary anxiously.

The secretary shook her head apologetically.

"Chairwoman Vivienne went to the conference room about two minutes ago."

"..."

Miss Brooks sighed in disappointment.

If they had arrived just a little earlier, Vivienne might have had the chance to speak with Luca herself. Given her abilities, Miss Brooks believed there was at least a possibility she could convince him not to side with Benjamin Caldwell.

Instead, they’d missed what seemed like their only opportunity.

Luca smiled reassuringly.

"It’s alright. I mainly came to return something."

He lifted the small red leather handbag in his hand.

"Your chairwoman accidentally left this with me."

As he handed the bag to the secretary, both women stared at him in surprise.

Vivienne... left her handbag with Luca Hale?

The secretary blinked several times.

Miss Brooks was equally stunned.

Vivienne had always kept men at arm’s length. Aside from Tristian Caldwell’s relentless pursuit, which she had never once encouraged, there had never been rumors of her having any special relationship with anyone.

Yet somehow...

She had left her personal handbag with Luca Hale.

The more Miss Brooks thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed.

Luca was young, incredibly handsome, and worth billions. By any standard, he was an exceptional man.

But...

Doesn’t he already have a girlfriend?

Could he really be involved with Vivienne too?

The thought sounded outrageous, yet the evidence before her made it difficult to dismiss entirely.

If that was truly the case...

Then perhaps Luca was the biggest variable in today’s shareholders’ meeting.

She looked at him hopefully.

"Director Hale... could it be..."

Luca smiled mysteriously.

"As long as your chairwoman still holds thirty seven percent of the company’s shares..."

"...she can’t lose today."

For a split second, both women simply stared at him.

Then their eyes widened simultaneously.

"What?!"

The secretary nearly squealed, while Miss Brooks looked as though she had been struck by lightning.

His meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

Vivienne already controlled thirty seven percent of Octaveo Pharmaceutical through her inheritance.

If Luca held the remaining fifteen percent...

Then together, they commanded fifty-two percent of the company.

The outcome of today’s meeting had already been decided.

Even without considering the smaller shareholders who supported Vivienne, Benjamin Caldwell no longer had any path to victory.

Miss Brooks felt an enormous weight lift from her shoulders.

"Director Hale..." she said sincerely, her eyes shining. "You’re incredible."

Only then did she finally understand what he had meant earlier.

"If it’s about helping Vivienne, there’s no need."

He hadn’t been refusing.

He’d simply been telling her there was nothing left to persuade him about.

Even the secretary couldn’t stop nodding excitedly.

Luca laughed.

"Don’t praise me just yet."

He flashed the two women a playful grin.

"The best part is still coming."

He gave them a quick wink.

Miss Brooks, having spent years navigating the corporate world, merely smiled despite blushing slightly.

The secretary, on the other hand, was far less composed.

Fresh out of university and only a couple of years into her career, she immediately felt her face burn crimson under Luca’s teasing smile.

It wasn’t only because of his playful expression.

It was because Luca Hale was simply far too handsome.

Combined with his effortless confidence and mischievous charm, she found herself completely unable to meet his eyes for more than a second.