Chapter 140: Top Security!
"Ah?"
The sales consultant stood frozen for several seconds before finally snapping back to reality. She hurried toward the secure vault to retrieve the additional luxury pieces.
Phoebe Gates looked at Luca Hale with noticeably more complicated emotions.
’So this is what limitless wealth looks like...’
It wasn’t simply that he had multiple women in his life.
He was practically building an entire fleet.
[DING!]
[Host has spent $132,000 on Vivienne! Critical Reward Triggered: God-Level Combat Mastery!]
[DING!]
[Host has spent $132,000 on Sophie Kennedy! Critical Reward Triggered: Iris Port Facility!]
[DING!]
[Host has spent $132,000 on Naomi Monroe! Critical Reward Triggered: 100% Equity in Dawson Capital Group!]
[DING!]
[Host has spent $132,000 on Arabella Windsor! Critical Reward Triggered: The Royal Estate at Capital Park!]
[DING!]
[Host has spent $132,000 on Amelia Grant! Critical Reward Triggered: 100% Ownership of Blue Sky Amusement Park!]
System notifications continued to ring through Luca’s mind as they leisurely strolled through the hopping center.
In the span of a single afternoon, he hadn’t merely acquired luxury stores and shopping malls. Heavy industrial ports, amusement parks, international investment firms, and even royal-class estates had quietly become part of his growing empire.
’This... is the true power of a God-tier system.’
Afterward, Luca accompanied Naomi as they selected several elegant pieces of jewelry for everyone waiting back home.
Even Phoebe Gates, who had quietly coordinated their schedule the entire afternoon, received a designer luxury watch worth $30,000 as a token of appreciation.
Aside from the custom diamond necklace Luca bought for his younger sister, Trish Hale, which triggered a massive fifty-times cashback multiplier, none of the remaining purchases produced any additional critical rewards.
Even so, Luca was more than satisfied with the day’s harvest.
He didn’t actually need this many businesses to support his lifestyle.
But with an inevitable confrontation against the Luiz family approaching, strengthening his influence throughout New Orleans had become a necessity.
Just as Luca and the others were preparing to leave The Grand Paragon Shopping Center, a formal delegation approached from the opposite end of the grand corridor.
Every executive wore immaculate business attire, their expressions serious and respectful.
Leading the group was a dignified woman in her early sixties. The moment she spotted Luca, profound respect immediately filled her eyes.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Hale."
"My name is Director Cristine, General Manager of The Grand Paragon Shopping Center."
"On behalf of our entire staff, I’d like to officially welcome you during your inspection of our operations."
Her voice carried clearly through the spacious atrium.
In an instant, nearby shoppers and boutique managers realized that the young man standing before them was the true owner of the entire shopping center.
Naomi had already grown accustomed to these shocking revelations.
Although she looked slightly surprised, she simply smiled sweetly without making a fuss.
Phoebe Gates, however, couldn’t remain nearly as calm.
She cautiously glanced at Luca before lowering her eyes, her heart in complete turmoil.
She already knew Luca was the largest shareholder of Starline Airways Group and a major shareholder of Twist Streaming Networks.
Now she had learned that even the most prestigious shopping center in New Orleans belonged entirely to him.
And who knew how many other hidden assets he possessed?
Just how enormous was this man’s empire?
Earlier, Phoebe had genuinely worried about Luca’s conflict with the Luiz family.
Now she realized those concerns had been unnecessary.
Luca Hale didn’t need powerful local allies.
He himself was a force powerful enough to shake the entire region.
Luca smiled casually and waved a hand.
"I only came to buy a few personal things today."
"There’s no need for everyone to make such a fuss."
"Please, carry on with your work."
Just buying a few personal things?
He had casually spent several million dollars in a single afternoon.
Was that really what the ultra-rich considered a simple shopping trip?
Neither Phoebe nor the executives dared voice their thoughts aloud, though every one of them was secretly marveling at the gap between ordinary people and someone like Luca Hale.
After exchanging a few more words with the management team, Luca led Naomi into the waiting executive sedan.
"Mr. Hale," the chauffeur asked respectfully, "shall we return to The Grand Serenity Hotel?"
Luca gently shook his head.
"No."
"Take us to Greenland Garden Villas."
"I have a residence there."
Even after everything she’d witnessed today, Phoebe couldn’t help gasping quietly.
Greenland Garden Villas was the most prestigious residential community in all of New Orleans.
Money alone couldn’t buy a home there.
Even proving immense wealth was only the beginning.
The truly difficult requirement was possessing enough political influence and elite connections.
Even Romero Dennis, her former superior, wasn’t qualified to own property inside Greenland Garden Villas.
When their sedan reached the heavily guarded entrance, security naturally stopped the vehicle.
After a thorough verification lasting only a couple of minutes, the gates slowly swung open.
The sedan glided into the private community.
Stepping inside the main villa, Luca quietly surveyed the surroundings.
The mansion was magnificently decorated with imported marble, soaring ceilings, and custom architectural details.
Although it wasn’t quite as expansive as his Elvis Muskov Villa Complex in San Fierro, the peaceful surroundings and exceptional privacy more than made up for the difference.
"Mr. Hale," Phoebe said respectfully, "then we’ll leave you and Mrs. Hale to enjoy your evening."
"If you need transportation tomorrow, please contact me at any time."
After Luca nodded, she bowed politely before leaving with the rest of the staff.
"I’m exhausted..."
Naomi collapsed face-first onto the enormous bed before happily rolling across the soft silk sheets.
Luca walked over and gently tapped her hip.
"Go take a warm shower first, honey."
"Aren’t you supposed to go shopping with Nora tomorrow?"
Naomi immediately stretched both arms toward him.
"Then carry me, husband..."
Her beautiful eyes curved into sweet crescents as she looked at him with complete trust.
Luca couldn’t help smiling helplessly.
"I really don’t know what I’m supposed to do with you."
He scooped her effortlessly into his arms.
Naomi burst into soft, melodious laughter as he carried her toward the master bathroom.
Soon, warm water flowed through the luxurious marble shower, filling the villa with a calm, relaxing atmosphere.
---
An hour later.
Wrapped in a plush bathrobe, Luca stood alone on the master balcony with his phone pressed against his ear.
Through the glass doors behind him, Naomi lay curled beneath the blankets, her cheeks still faintly pink as she slept soundly.
"Mr. Hale?"
Captain Rico’s rough voice came through the encrypted line.
"Mmh."
"Tomorrow morning, send two of our best female bodyguards to Villa Number Seven in Greenland Garden Villas."
"They’ll be responsible for close personal protection."
"Understood, Mr. Hale."
"I’ll notify them immediately."
After a brief pause, Rico asked,
"Any other assignments?"
"Deploy one of Crescent Security Solutions’ elite intelligence teams."
"I want a covert investigation into Dexter Luiz and Gordon Luiz."
"If anything unusual happens, report directly to me."
"Consider it done, boss."
"Good."
"That’s all for tonight."
"Have a good evening, Mr. Hale."
After ending the call, Captain Rico immediately contacted his team leaders.
"Marceline."
"PB."
"You two report to Villa Number Seven in Greenland Garden Villas at first light tomorrow."
"Our client is CEO Luca Hale himself."
"Treat him and every member of his family with the highest level of respect."
"Understood, Captain!"
---
While Luca arranged his security measures...
Dexter Luiz sat inside his executive office, reading the intelligence report Chainsaw had just delivered.
"So..."
"He’s based in San Fierro?"
"Yes, Young Master," Chainsaw replied calmly.
"Our investigation confirms that Luca Hale possesses extraordinary influence there."
Dexter let out a dismissive laugh.
"I couldn’t care less what kind of authority he has in San Fierro."
"This is New Orleans."
"Anyone who dares touch my people here is asking to die."
As he spoke, another thought suddenly crossed his mind.
He reached into a drawer, removed a disposable phone, inserted a brand-new SIM card, and dialed a familiar number from memory.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Who is this?"
A woman’s voice answered.
It was cold...
Yet irresistibly captivating.
The moment Dexter heard it, an unhealthy excitement lit up his face.
"Miss Day."
"It’s been a long time."
"How have you been?"
Vivienne recognized his voice instantly.
Her tone became even colder.
"Dexter Luiz."
"Are you actually brain-dead?"
"You called me just to disgust me?"
Click.
Without waiting for another word, Vivienne hung up.
Then she permanently blocked the number.
Instead of becoming angry, Dexter merely grinned to himself.
He casually removed the SIM card, snapped it cleanly in half, tossed it into the trash, and inserted another fresh one.
If Luca Hale had witnessed the entire scene...
He would have awarded Dexter Luiz the undisputed gold medal for being the most delusional man in high society.