Chapter 156: A Ten Million Donation
Luca had no idea what was running through Alani’s mind. By the time she was gathering her thoughts, he had already returned to his table and settled comfortably between Vivienne and Naomi.
Vivienne leaned in, lowering her voice so only he could hear.
"So... after talking to you for that long, do you think Miss Stones has feelings for my darling?"
Luca let out a quiet laugh and shook his head.
"Hard to tell. I wasn’t trying to figure out what she was thinking."
Whatever Alani’s intentions were, he had no interest in taking things beyond a professional acquaintance.
She struck him as intelligent, pragmatic, and someone who approached everything with a clear objective. There was nothing wrong with that in the business world, but when it came to his personal life, he preferred relationships that weren’t built on calculations or hidden agendas. Keeping a respectful distance was simply easier.
Besides, he’d dealt with enough ambitious socialites over the year to recognize the pattern.
---
Before arriving, Luca had assumed the Northstar Foundation gala would be a relatively modest charity event.
Instead, he found himself surrounded by over a hundred VIP tables, every single one occupied.
The ballroom buzzed with conversation as influential business leaders, celebrities, philanthropists, and old-money families filled the venue.
The turnout alone spoke volumes.
New Orleans truly deserved its reputation as one of the South’s biggest cities. If an event like this had been held in San Fierro, gathering this many ultra-high-net-worth guests under one roof would’ve been far more difficult.
About five minutes later, the lights dimmed until only soft indigo lighting remained.
A single spotlight illuminated the center of the stage.
The crisp rhythm of high heels echoed through the ballroom.
A graceful woman in an ice-blue evening gown stepped into the light, holding a crystal microphone.
She smiled warmly.
"Good evening, distinguished guests. I’m Selena Croft, and on behalf of the Northstar Children’s Foundation, I’d like to welcome everyone to tonight’s annual gala..."
Her voice was calm and melodic, flowing through the ballroom like a gentle stream.
Combined with her elegant features, slender figure, and refined demeanor, she effortlessly captured everyone’s attention.
Luca listened quietly.
Then something about her face tugged at his memory.
’Have I seen her before...?’
Before he could place it, Naomi leaned closer.
"Doesn’t Selena Croft look a lot like Vivian Croft?"
"Vivian Croft?"
The name sounded familiar.
Naomi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"The charity auction we attended a while back. Remember? Vivian was the main host."
The memory clicked immediately.
That had been the auction where he’d purchased his way to his hypercar.
Looking at Selena again, the resemblance was unmistakable. Their features were similar enough that they were almost certainly sisters.
Buzz.
His phone vibrated.
A message from Harvey Adams appeared.
<<>>
Luca stared at the screen, utterly speechless.
’Does this guy seriously think every attractive woman automatically catches my attention?’
He had Vivienne sitting on one side and Naomi on the other. Between the women already in his life, the last thing he lacked was beautiful company.
He quickly typed a reply.
<<>>
Harvey answered almost instantly.
<<>>
<<>>
Luca chuckled as he put his phone away.
Why did Harvey feel obligated to ask his permission first?
What Luca didn’t realize was that Harvey had already classified him as a legendary playboy.
After all, who else attended a charity gala with two breathtaking women seated at his table?
One looked sweet and innocent enough to melt hearts.
The other possessed a mature, irresistible charm that drew attention the moment she entered a room.
From Harvey’s perspective, if Selena met Luca’s standards, Luca would’ve made his move already.
Harvey thought he understood Luca.
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Luca had never viewed relationships as business deals.
Chemistry mattered.
Connection mattered.
If there wasn’t genuine interest on both sides, he simply wasn’t interested.
---
The opening performance featured a choir made up of children whose lives had been changed through the Northstar Children’s Foundation.
Some guests politely applauded without paying much attention.
Luca, however, watched the performance from beginning to end.
The children’s clear, innocent voices carried a sincerity that felt refreshingly genuine amid a room filled with polished executives and carefully rehearsed smiles.
When the donation segment began, Luca walked onto the stage and quietly placed a pre-signed check into the velvet donation box before returning to his seat.
Harvey immediately leaned over.
"So... how much did you donate?"
Selena, who had finished hosting the opening ceremony and changed into a stylish cocktail dress, happened to be standing nearby.
Rather than answering, Luca simply lifted one finger on one hand while forming a zero with the other.
Harvey’s eyes widened.
"One million dollars? That’s incredible."
Luca smiled without correcting him.
He had actually donated Ten million.
As he watched Harvey’s reaction, he couldn’t help noticing one of the biggest differences between himself and people like Harvey.
Harvey had been born into immense wealth.
Luca had built his.
To Harvey’s circle, beautiful women, luxury, and influence came naturally. Relationships were often treated like another privilege that accompanied wealth.
Luca didn’t judge that lifestyle.
Everyone lived according to their own values.
His priorities were simply different.
He had more money than he could ever realistically spend.
He already had the people he cared about.
Protecting them and enjoying a peaceful life together mattered far more than endlessly expanding his empire.
His executives could manage the businesses.
He wanted to enjoy the life those businesses had given him.
Just then, a familiar golden notification appeared.
[Congratulations to the Host for donating $10,000,000 to verified charitable causes!]
[Critical Reward Triggered!]
[Reward: 100% Equity Acquisition of Franco de Santa Real Estate, Capital City.]
Luca stared at the glowing text.
"..."
He let out a helpless sigh.
’I wasn’t even trying to grow my portfolio this time.’
’Can this System let me take a break for once?’
Vivienne noticed immediately.
"What’s wrong?"
She gently squeezed his hand.
"You seem distracted. Are you tired?"
He smiled reassuringly and intertwined his fingers with hers.
"Not at all."
After a brief pause, he looked at both her and Naomi.
"I was just thinking... New Orleans has been exciting, but it still doesn’t feel like home."
His voice softened.
"Once we’re done here, let’s head back to San Fierro together."
Vivienne’s expression brightened.
"I’d love that."
"So would I!" Naomi said excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
Watching the two women smile reminded Luca of what truly mattered.
The corporate battles.
The power struggles.
The endless political games.
They were all temporary.
The peaceful life waiting for them back in San Fierro was what he genuinely wanted to protect.
Of course, there was still one loose end.
Lady Francine Luiz.
According to Captain Rico’s latest intelligence report, she’d already met with Arthur Day earlier that evening.
The two were clearly planning retaliation.
Unfortunately, Rico’s team still hadn’t identified Dexter’s biological father, making it impossible to use that particular secret against Francine just yet.
’If they’re already making their move...’
’I need to move faster.’
Luca quietly pulled out his phone and opened an encrypted line to Patrick Halloway at Apex Legal Group.