INICIAR SESIĂNLeonardoâs questioning voice was neither too loud nor too soft, yet it carried clearly through the spacious hotel lobby. All those present were business partners invited by the Donovan family. Upon arriving, they had begun mingling and networking, exchanging pleasantries and business cards. So naturally, the commotion at the front desk caught their attention. Lucia looked at Leonardo calmly. Her gaze was distant and detached, like someone observing a complete stranger. âWhy canât I be here?â she asked coolly. Seeing him standing beside Lorenza as a couple didnât stir even the slightest emotion in her heart. âDid Gusto Castro bring you?â Leonardo probed. Lucia didnât bother responding to someone who had long lost all sense of decency. Instead, she took her invitation from her bag and handed it to the hotel staff at the registration desk. During this three-day private booking, invited guests only needed an official invitation from the Donovan family to check in for free. The r
At 10:30 a.m. the next day, Lucia received a call from Davide. His voice was tense, clearly irritated. âMrs. Marchesi, Mr. Marchesi didnât come home all night. He only returned early this morning⊠with Lorenza.â Lucia remained silent. âIâI saw something,â Davide continued hesitantly. âSaw what?â Lucia asked calmly. Davide swallowed. âA kiss mark⊠on his neck.â The line fell into complete silence. Inside the villa, Lucia finally felt something snap shut inside her chest. Not painâclosure. Her heart went cold, numb, drained of every last trace of warmth. Whatever still lingered between her and Leonardo Marchesi was finally over. Yet her eyes still stung. She lifted her chin, forcing the tears back, and asked in a flat voice, âDid you take a photo?â âYes,â Davide whispered. âItâs very clear.â âGood.â Lucia had never wanted Leonardoâs wealth for herself. She wanted proofâproof enough to destroy the Marchesi Group completely and strip him of the spotless reputation he cheri
Lorenza spoke first. âLucia, youâre finally here. You were really too impulsive. Women shouldnât cling to grudges so deeply. Fortunately, Pietro isnât seriously injured. Heâs just angry and needs a simple apology. After this, you can still remain friends.â ZoeâLorenzaâs close friendâquickly echoed her words. âExactly. Pietro only said one unpleasant thing about you, and you caused him so much trouble? What kind of friend does that make you?â Leonardo Marchesi stood silently nearby, his gaze steady as it rested on Lucia. He seemed to be waitingâexpecting her to apologize. Three minutes passed. Lucia said nothing. Just then, her phone rang. It was Gabriele. She answered calmly. âHello?â âMs. Bianchi, weâre waiting for you at the hospital entrance,â Gabriele said politely. Luciaâs lips curved slightly. âIâm already in the ward.â âAhâunderstood! Weâll come up immediately.â After ending the call, Lucia surprised everyone by walking over and sitting down on the sofaâstill silent
Pietro made a call while driving through the streets of Milano. âLeonardo, who exactly is Lucia?â Leonardo had just arrived home. âWho? What?â âI justâŠâ Pietro hesitated, not knowing how to explain himself. âNever mind. Forget it.â After hanging up, he called Lorenza. âLorenza.â âPietro, whatâs wrong?â âDo you know anything about Luciaâs background?â Lorenza was puzzled by Pietroâs sudden concern. After thinking for a moment, she replied, âHer background isnât anything special. But⊠she was recently involved with Mr. Ruggeri, the chairman of San Celestino Group, and someone named Alessandro Bianchi. From what Leonardo said, Lucia might have a complicated relationship with Damiano.â Pietro slammed the steering wheel furiously. He couldnât believe that Luciaâthat shameless womanâwould use her connection with Damiano to mess with his family. He had thought she was some powerful figure, but in reality, she was just a bully who relied on othersâ influenceâa cheap woman who use
Arturo Bianchi withdrew his gaze. His stern, authoritative features radiated dominance. However, when he heard the name Lucia, he paused slightlyâit was the same name as his precious niece. As a seasoned commander, Arturoâs instincts were razor-sharp. He issued an order calmly, âRun a background check on those two.â The man in the tailored suit glanced toward Lorenza and Pietro. âYes, sir.â Anyone who caught Arturoâs attention rarely brought anything good. Arturo then headed into a high-end private ward in the inpatient department. âMr. Ruggeri, what brings you to a hospital in Milano?â he asked with a faint smile. Bruno Ruggeri, Damiano's grandfather, looked energetic and spirited, with no sign of illness at all. âI just needed some peace,â Bruno snorted. âMy daughter-in-law keeps pestering me to set Damiano up on blind dates. Sheâs far too noisy.â In truth, Bruno wasnât sick. He had simply escaped to the hospital to avoid the chaos at home. Arturo chuckled and sa
Lorenza sat in a chair, lost in thought. Soon, Leonardo Marchesi came downstairs. Lorenza got up and said, âLeonardo, I made breakfast. Have some.â âDidnât I tell you to rest more?â âItâs fine. Iâm not tired.â At the dining table, Lorenza hesitated. âLeonardo, my stomach has been feeling off. I want to go to the hospital for a checkup.â Leonardo frowned. âDoes it still hurt?â âYes.â Lorenza lowered her head. âIâm a little worried. I finally got better, and I want to spend more time with you and the kids.â âThen get it checked.â âI made an appointment with a specialist this Sunday.â Lorenza smiled softly. âAre you free? Iâm too scared to go alone. Cancer is really terrifying.â Leonardo fell silent when he heard her mention the appointment for Sunday. Lorenzaâs tone was sad yet restrained. âItâs okay if youâre busy. Iâll just go by myself. I donât want to tell Grandma. Sheâs old, and I donât want her to worry.â Leonardo asked, âWhat about Saturday?â âThe executiv







