Sara froze the mont she saw Luca step into the boardroom. Her heart skipped since no one here knew that just two days ago she had married him... or that she had signed away Falcone Industries, making it a subsidiary of the Augustino Group.
She gave him a subtle signal to leave, but Luca ignored it, striding in with authority.
His secretary acted swiftly, snatching the phone from Jordan’s secretary and hanging it up.
"Mr. Falcone," Luca began, "yesterday I neglected to finish what I was saying. While you may hold the position of chairman, your company still falls under the Augustino Group. You walked out before hearing the rest, which is why I took the trouble to co here myself."
He laid a file on the table and pushed it across. Inside were docunts, which carried the proof of Falcone Industries’ true ownership.
Diego shot to his feet, his face twisting with anger. "What nonsense are you spouting?" he barked. "Security! Security!"
But no one ca.
"Shut your mouth. I don’t tolerate loud voices," Luca warned.
Adam was already rifling through the file, his brow furrowing deeper with every page. Sara had agreed to terms that stripped Falcone Industries of its independence, making the chairman’s role purely ceremonial. Adam’s brows knit together.
’Why hadn’t Luca revealed this yesterday?’
"Mr. Falcone... What does this an?" a senior board mber asked. "Has the company been sold to the Augustino Group? But yesterday you told us that everything was under control and stable."
Diego turned toward his sister. "You did it, didn’t you, Sara? You sold off Dad’s company, that’s why you married Luca!" he spat.
"I—" Sara’s voice faltered.
But Luca’s voice interrupted her. "Diego, I know exactly how you conduct yourself. Don’t speak on matters of business you don’t understand." His words silenced the room.
He turned back to the board with authority. "As of now, Falcone Industries is under the Augustino Group. I am its CEO. This so-called inquiry you set up has no value anymore. I will personally investigate the financial irregularities within the company."
His gaze flicked briefly to Sara before settling back on the executives.
"As for the CEO position, Sara was already dismissed by her father, who retains only obligatory rights as chairman. That decision stands. And for the board mbers, today will be your last day. You will be relieved of your duties and compensated generously through a handso exit. I intend to rebuild this company from the ground up, under a structure that actually works."
"That-that can’t happen," Jordan muttered.
"Why?" Luca’s brows arched. "I’m the CEO. I hold the rights to every decision made for this company. And, ah yes, I also dismiss your daughter. She won’t be needed here from tomorrow."
"What?" Julia’s eyes widened. "Why would I—?"
"Because I want capable employees," Luca cut her off. Then, glancing at his watch, he added briskly, "Sara and I have an urgent flight. We’ll excuse ourselves. My secretary will handle the rest."
He turned to Sara, grasping her hand without hesitation. She looked at her father, standing rigid and numb, but Luca didn’t give her ti to linger. He simply led her out of the boardroom.
Inside the VIP elevator, before the doors could close, Sara finally spoke. "You said you lost the company," she said.
"I lied," Luca replied flatly.
"I’m serious, Luca." Her hands balled into fists. "What was that back there? They were ready to file a police complaint, launch a legal inquiry against . Why did you step in? My father wasn’t happy at all. And you didn’t even tell him the full truth yesterday." Her eyes searched his face, confused and wounded.
"Because I wanted you to see the reality that you’re standing alone in your battle." Luca stepped closer. "I told you not to let them tear you apart. Soone accessed your emails without your knowledge. They’re all your enemies, Sara. Even your dear father. For him, business matters more than blood."
Sara’s gaze fell to the floor. His words were harsh, but they echoed the truth she’d tried so hard to deny. She was alone. Even Julia, once her best friend, had betrayed her, presenting evidence before the committee of which she had no knowledge.
"You think I would have let you be arrested?" Luca asked.
Sara’s head lifted slightly, but she couldn’t answer.
"Speak," he urged softly.
"Why are you doing all this for ?" she whispered at last.
"Because you’re my wife," Luca said, his eyes locking onto hers. "And I won’t let your na be dragged down like that."
Sara suddenly hugged him, her eyes shut tightly. anwhile, Luca’s fists clenched tightly on his sides.
"Let hug you until the elevator opens," she whispered.
Luca let her wish be fulfilled. But his Adam apple bobbed up and down. He brought his hands to her back, giving her gentle pats.
"Shouldn’t you kiss instead of hugging ?" He mused.
Sara quickly pulled away herself and turned around, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.
He chuckled at her reaction.
Then, she turned around to face him. Bringing her hand forward, she said, "I’ll be a good secretary to you. Help find the real culprits who actually committed fraud and put the entire bla on ."
Luca grasped her hand firmly and pulled her closer. Her lips inched closer to his, and heard him say,
"You should say you would be a good, lovely wife to . I know professionally you’ll never let complain, but inside the four walls of our room, I want you to love , passionately."
His eyes dropped down to her lips as he awaited her response.
"Why do you want to love you... Passionately?" Sara confusedly stared at him.
"Because you forgot to love ," Luca said.
"You’re the one who pushed away. You rejected my feelings and made fun of them in front of your friends. Did you forget?" Sara questioned, her eyes locking with his.
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