The door slamd behind Savannah, who’d left, rattling heavily.
Amadeo sat back and studied Viviana. "You’re not the girl I raised. You have changed. Unrecognizable."
"Is that so?" Viviana said evenly. "You made this way, Pa. You orchestrated into this. It was all you. I an, how does a girl who doesn’t even know her favorite al beco this... without you?"
Amadeo narrowed his eyes.
He looked away from her, smiled a bit, and slowly nodded his head. "Never thought I’d end up making an error with you. Then again, you were difficult. Mistakes were bound to happen. But it can be corrected. That reminds –" He stroked his tumbled chin. "–Aren’t you a little too audacious showing up here after the stunt you pulled?"
"You don’t have to worry." Viviana’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I don’t plan to linger."
She set a folder on the table.
He lifted a brow. "What’s this?"
"Processed docunts. I’m changing the company na. But I also need your signature for this process to be done. So, if it’s not too much trouble, please sign, Pa."
Amadeo lowered his eyes to the file. He opened it and read through it, a frown erging on his face. "VIVACE? That’s the new na?"
"Yes."
His jaw clenched instantly. He tossed the papers on the desk. "What exactly do you think you’re doing, Viviana?"
"aning what?"
He shot to his feet. "You are Viviana Di-grassi, the only heiress of this family! Why are you trying to disgrace like this?"
"Pa–"
"I built you into the woman you are. I made you the Lady Di-grassi! I perfected you because this company would be yours. You would lead the Di-grassi na. But after years of my hard work, polishing a stubborn girl like you into what I hoped for, you’re trampling on it like it’s nothing?"
Viviana’s lashes lowered halfway. She was calm, even as she said, "I am not your puppet."
"I am your father!"
"And I am your daughter, not your doll!" Her pupils shrank, her stare harder and sharper. "I make my own decisions, including sothing as small as what kind of coffee I want. You don’t speak for . You don’t decide for . Not anymore. You do not have any right to treat like a toy. I refuse to let you have such control over again. I am the Lady Di-grassi, a woman who has earned her place. A woman who brought this company to what it is."
Amadeo’s eye twitched. "You are the CEO of this company–"
"The one you reduced to the level of an intern?"
"I was setting you straight!"
"No, you weren’t." A stillness settled over Viviana’s body. "I did nothing wrong. The thing is, you thought that thod would work on again. I an, take things away from and there you’ll have , crawling back to you like a dog. I worked harder than anyone in this company to earn that CEO seat, and yet you took it away like it was nothing. You erased every day and night I broke myself for you like so machine. I did it all to impress you. To make you see , not as a puppet to control, but as a daughter you’re proud of."
She smiled bitterly, sighing. "It took a while, Pa, but I finally understood: I could never be a daughter to you. You’ll never look at with pride. You’ll never care for . And most of all, you will never love . So why should I keep strangling myself for you?"
"Pride? Love?"
Amadeo scoffed.
"You wanted to be proud of you?" He shook his head as he looked her up and down. "I didn’t raise you to be this weak. I raised you to beat every man in this field, in this company, and you did. I didn’t have a son and I didn’t care. Do you know why?"
His eyes narrowed sharply on her as his lips curved. He tapped his temple.
"That is because what mattered was the brain. And yours was perfect. You completely took after . You excelled at anything you touched. I wanted you above everyone, even . I wanted you to be better than . And all you care about is for to be proud of you? What a joke."
He scoffed.
"What are you? A child? Get up on your feet and make use of your talent. You have the potential to overrun even Bastiani, I know you can." He grabbed one of his fountain pens and signed the papers. Then he strode around his desk to approach her.
Amadeo shoved the folder into her hands and grabbed her chin. "You want to build this company? Fine. I won’t stop you. But you will keep working for here. You’re right when you said Vizera Luxe will fall without you. It needs you."
Viviana’s face hardened. "I refuse–"
"You can’t refuse. You are my greatest asset. I polished you and I won’t let you go. Not yet. I didn’t approve that resignation, so you’re still CEO, whether you like it or not. Do whatever you want. Marry a good-for-nothing if you please. I don’t care anymore. You won this one. But you’re not leaving this company. No one else is worthy of that position. Do you understand ?"
Viviana’s eyes stayed flat and cold. She smacked his hand off, adjusted her waistcoat, and took a steady breath. "Pa, I don’t work for you anymore. This company is all yours. Run it yourself or have your stepdaughter help you. I’m sure your mistress will be thrilled."
She turned for the door, her heels sharp on the floor.
"She’s stupid," Amadeo said as his hands went imposingly behind his back. "Useless. Capable of nothing. You are what this company needs."
"Flattering," she answered dryly.
"What do you want?" he asked quickly before she could leave. "Your apartnt at Maison de Vesta? Money? How much? I’ll give it to you, and that includes unfreezing your account. Just co back to this company, Viviana."
Viviana stared at the door for a breath of ti. She turned with a smile. "The last ti I was here, I told you I didn’t need your money or the apartnt. I’ll build what I want from where I am. I don’t need you. Keep the money and mine. All of it."
"Viviana!" Amadeo snapped. "I will no longer demand you divorce him. Isn’t that good enough?"
She almost chuckled. "Demand? Did I ever make you think I’d divorce my husband?" Her hand closed on the door handle.
"Your husband and yet you don’t even have his na," he scoffed. "Is this marriage even real? If it is, why are you still a Di-grassi? Is it all a tantrum? A facade?"
Viviana’s eyes flickered briefly, but her face stayed perfectly expressionless.
"Believe whatever you please," she said. "My personal life isn’t your business."
"If you leave this company, I will sue the hell out of you. Don’t test , Viviana," he spat imdiately, now having lost his cool.
Viviana didn’t respond, leaving and slamming the door.
Amadeo’s face twitched.
He felt the last straw snap. Lighting up a cigarette, he inhaled and blew out a heavy cloud.
"Wasted effort," he muttered. "All wasted effort!"
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