Even after Miss Brooks and Luca Hale left Vivienne’s office, the young secretary’s cheeks remained bright red. It was obvious the shy girl still hadn’t recovered from Luca’s teasing.

As one of Octaveo Pharmaceutical’s senior executives, Miss Brooks wasn’t a shareholder, but she was still entitled to attend the meeting as an observer.

The boardroom was spacious and impeccably designed. At its center sat a massive oval conference table crafted from polished redwood, surrounded by more than twenty leather chairs reserved exclusively for shareholders. Around it, three concentric rows of smaller tables accommodated the company’s senior management.

Luca and Miss Brooks arrived slightly later than most.

Several executives immediately stood to greet Miss Brooks, while others simply glanced in their direction before returning to their conversations. The atmosphere inside the room was unusually heavy. Beneath the polite smiles and quiet chatter, an invisible tension lingered, as though everyone knew a battle was about to begin.

Most people naturally assumed the unfamiliar young man beside Miss Brooks was a newly promoted manager.

To their surprise, Luca didn’t stop near the outer seats reserved for management.

Instead, he calmly walked past them and headed straight toward the shareholders’ table.

His actions immediately drew countless curious gazes.

Some executives even sneered to themselves.

Who does this kid think he is?

A newly promoted manager daring to sit with the shareholders?

He’s asking for trouble.

"Director Brooks," one executive whispered anxiously, "hurry and stop him. Those seats are reserved for shareholders."

Several others who were on good terms with her nodded in agreement.

Miss Brooks simply smiled.

"It’s alright."

Her voice carried not the slightest hint of worry.

If Luca Hale wasn’t qualified to sit there...

Then several of the minor shareholders present probably weren’t either.

Just as everyone waited to see Luca embarrass himself, Benjamin Caldwell suddenly rose from his seat.

"Chairman Hale!" he called out warmly. "You’re finally here. Hahaha!"

The room instantly fell silent.

A wave of shocked gasps spread throughout the conference room.

Aside from Miss Brooks, every executive turned to stare at Luca.

Chairman... Hale?

Could this young man actually be one of Octaveo Pharmaceutical’s shareholders?

Yet Luca seemed not to hear Benjamin’s greeting at all.

His attention had already settled on the woman seated at the head of the table.

Vivienne.

She sat with her head lowered, delicately flipping through a stack of documents while lightly massaging the bridge of her nose.

Her signature burgundy hair cascaded over her shoulders in elegant waves.

Even without lifting her head, her flawless profile was enough to captivate anyone who looked at her. Her crimson lips, porcelain skin, and naturally aloof elegance gave her an almost untouchable beauty.

To Luca...

She was every bit as breathtaking as he remembered.

Benjamin frowned almost imperceptibly after noticing where Luca’s gaze had settled.

’Don’t tell me...’

’Has Luca taken an interest in Vivienne?’

The thought made his heart sink.

It wasn’t impossible.

After all, Vivienne’s beauty was famous throughout San Fierro. Few women could compare to her.

"Chairman Hale," Benjamin said with a forced smile, "allow me to introduce our current chairwoman, Director Vivienne."

Luca finally looked away from her face and smiled.

He walked toward her seat before extending his hand.

"Director Vivienne."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Only then did Vivienne raise her head.

The moment their eyes met...

Her pupils shrank.

For a brief instant, the composed chairwoman completely froze.

She recognized him immediately.

The man before her...

Was the same man she’d spent that unforgettable night with.

How...

How is he here?

Seeing that she hadn’t responded, Luca raised an eyebrow playfully.

"What?"

"Director Vivienne doesn’t welcome me?"

"If that’s the case, perhaps I should leave."

His teasing left everyone in the room speechless.

Even Benjamin Caldwell secretly frowned.

This young man actually dared joke with Vivienne?

Anyone familiar with her knew she was famous for keeping men at arm’s length. Countless arrogant young masters had embarrassed themselves trying to impress her.

Benjamin almost found himself looking forward to what would happen next.

If Vivienne became angry and offended Luca...

Then today’s vote would become much easier.

Unexpectedly...

A faint smile appeared on Vivienne’s lips.

She slowly reached out and took Luca’s hand.

"Welcome, Chairman Hale."

Her voice remained calm and elegant.

Hidden beneath the handshake, however, her slender fingertips lightly traced across Luca’s palm.

The tiny movement lasted only an instant.

Yet it sent an electric sensation straight through him.

This enchantress...

She’s dangerous.

Luca maintained his composure as he released her hand and took his seat, though the cool softness of her touch lingered vividly in his memory.

...

Ten minutes later, the shareholders’ meeting officially began.

Vivienne calmly summarized Octaveo Pharmaceutical’s performance during the first half of the year before presenting several strategic plans for the months ahead.

Once she finished, Benjamin Caldwell rose to speak, followed by several senior executives who voiced their opinions one after another.

Everything appeared orderly.

Until the meeting was about to conclude.

Just as Vivienne prepared to deliver her closing remarks, a middle-aged shareholder with a neatly trimmed mustache suddenly slammed his hand onto the table and stood up.

"Director Vivienne," he said loudly, "you’ve talked about plenty of strategies today."

"But shareholders don’t live on plans, we live on profits. Our dividends have barely improved over the past year, what does that tell us?"

"It tells us your leadership isn’t producing results, if following you doesn’t make us money..."

"Then perhaps it’s time Octaveo Pharmaceutical elected someone more capable."

The moment he sat down, another shareholder immediately stood.

"I agree."

Then another.

"I support Chairman Caldwell."

And more.

"Exactly."

"The company needs a stronger leader."

"Results speak louder than promises."

One after another, voices echoed throughout the conference room.

Everything unfolded exactly according to Benjamin Caldwell’s carefully prepared script.

Luca slowly opened his eyes.

Without the slightest hint of urgency, he lifted the teacup before him and took an unhurried sip.

Then he looked calmly around the room.

His sharp gaze swept across every shareholder who had just spoken, as though watching actors perform a play whose ending he already knew.

So...

It finally begins.