Chapter 178: Different Shades of Gray
Even after sunset, the heat from the day still lingered in the air, refusing to let the city cool.
After returning from their evening walk, Luca and Cecelia switched on the air conditioner. A wave of cool air swept through the apartment, instantly washing away the oppressive warmth.
The two relaxed on the sofa for a few minutes before Cecelia gently nudged his shoulder.
"Go take a shower."
"Together?" he asked with a playful smile.
"Mhm..." She gave a small nod, her eyes soft with quiet affection.
That was all the encouragement he needed.
Luca quickly helped them both out of their clothes, scooped her into his arms, and carried her into the bathroom.
The warm water streamed over her back, making her shiver ever so slightly. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face against his chest rather than meeting his teasing gaze.
"Already blushing?" he chuckled. "Looks like I’ll have to review your educational background again."
Her cheeks instantly burned.
Those words pulled her straight back to that afternoon in the office when he had first mentioned "checking her qualifications."
Back then, she’d been so innocent that she’d genuinely thought he was questioning whether her degrees were real. She’d hurriedly defended herself without a second thought.
Now...
After everything they’d been through together, she knew perfectly well what he had meant.
The memory only made her face hotter.
Unable to bring herself to answer, she simply patted his back lightly and mumbled against his chest in a soft, embarrassed voice,
"You’re so naughty."
"Hehe." Luca smiled mischievously. "I wasn’t the one who claimed she was frivolous."
Setting her gently on her feet, he adjusted the water until it reached the perfect temperature.
Then he leaned closer and said with another meaningful smile,
"Turn around."
"Look in the mirror."
Hesitant at first, she turned to face the mirror. He smiled at her reflection, watching the way her eyes tracked him.
His mouth found her neck at once, warm and deliberate, while his hands slid down her back and then forward to cup her breasts. He massaged them slowly, thumbs circling her nipples until they hardened under his touch. Soft moans slipped from her lips.
"L-Luca... shouldn’t we shower first?" Cecelia asked softly, desire flickering in her eyes even as she tried to be the voice of reason.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she looked up at him, her tone hesitant but sincere.
Luca only chuckled, his laughter low and amused, showing no sign of stopping as he continued.
’This naughty wolf...’ she thought, sinking deeper into the feel of him pressed against her.
His body aligned fully with hers, and she felt him harden against her lower back. Instinct told her exactly what he wanted. Her heart hammered. She bit down on her lower lip, eyes locked on his face in the mirror, growing restless for more of him.
"You’re hungry for it, aren’t you?" he murmured, voice low and rough near her ear.
She turned her head to look at him directly, still biting her lip, and gave a small nod. "Mmhmm."
He released her. She sank to her knees without needing to be told and took him in hand. Her tongue traced the underside while her fingers cradled his balls, then she drew him deeper, sucking with slow, steady pulls that drew soft moans from her own throat.
He tipped his head back under the spray, eyes closed, one hand braced against the wall as a low groan left him. She kept the rhythm going... deep, wet, unhurried, until she felt him tense and ready. Only then did she ease off, looking up at him from her knees with clear, waiting eyes.
He understood. Hands under her arms, he lifted her easily, hooking one of her legs over his arm. His mouth found hers in an affectionate, lingering kiss while the head of his cock teased her entrance, rubbing slow circles that made her breath hitch.
Soft moans spilled from her as he pushed in, inch by careful inch, filling her completely. He started with long, steady strokes that let her feel every ridge and shift of him. The pace built gradually, water cascading over their joined bodies, until the thrusts turned quicker and deeper, the wet sound of skin meeting skin mixing with the rush of the shower.
Steam thickened around them. Her arms locked around his neck, her free leg trembling against his hip as pleasure coiled tighter. He held her firmly, never breaking the rhythm, kissing her between breaths while the heat of the water and the heat of their bodies blurred into one.
To him she remained something he never wanted to release. Whenever he stayed the night they lingered under the spray until one or two in the morning, and even then he left the next day looking as though he still hadn’t had enough.
Part of the reason was simply how good her bathroom was, especially the showerhead. Proper brand-name quality, strong steady flow, temperature that never wavered. Every time he stepped out of it he felt completely refreshed.
"Boss, I’ve already sent people over there. We should have results before long."
On the way to the company, Captain Rico called to give his report.
"Hmm. Where’s Patrick?"
"He’s tied up with Gordon Luiz’s case and the equity transfer Annabelle Flowers took over from him. He assigned other lawyers from the firm to handle this matter instead."
"Got it."
Luca ended the call and turned his attention back to the road. It was unusual for him to drive himself, but today he had decided to leave the chauffeur behind.
Beside him, Cecelia had already drifted off in the passenger seat, her head resting against the window.
She was simply exhausted.
Not only had she barely slept, but someone had dragged her into another round of "games" first thing that morning while she was still half asleep. Even with concealer, the faint red marks on her neck refused to disappear.
The moment they stepped into Hale-Viv Conglomerate, Luca noticed a woman waiting in the lobby.
She looked to be in her late twenties, dressed in a tailored business suit that complemented her sharp, professional image. Her short hair, thin-rimmed glasses, and composed expression gave her the air of an accomplished executive.
She wasn’t breathtaking in the way Vivienne was, but there was a quiet elegance about her that made her attractive in her own right.
A young woman who appeared to be her secretary stood respectfully behind her.
"Good morning, Mr. Hale."
She rose from the sofa and walked over with calm, measured steps.
At first, Luca thought she looked vaguely familiar. As she drew closer, recognition dawned on him.
He shook her hand briefly before letting go.
"Miss Flowers. It’s a pleasure."
The visitor was none other than Annabelle Flowers.
As Gordon Luiz’s adopted niece, she now controlled nearly all of the assets that had once belonged to him.
Her makeup concealed most of her fatigue, but the faint shadows beneath her eyes betrayed several sleepless nights.
The recent turmoil had clearly taken its toll.
"Mr. Hale..." Annabelle hesitated before speaking. "May I have a few minutes of your time?"
"If you’re here to discuss Gordon Luiz," Luca replied without the slightest warmth, "there’s no point."
His answer landed like a hammer, crushing the last bit of hope she’d carried with her.
The disappointment in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Gordon had raised her, and despite everything he had done, she couldn’t bear to watch him walk toward certain death.
Deep down, she already knew this visit was hopeless.
She had simply wanted to try.
Swallowing her pride, she revealed her final bargaining chip.
"I’m willing to transfer every asset under Gordon Luiz’s name to you."
Luca’s expression didn’t change.
"Gordon Luiz is facing murder charges. He’s going to be prosecuted. Do you really expect me to interfere with that?"
His voice remained calm, but every word carried weight.
"And if he walks free after everything he’s done, who speaks for the people whose lives he destroyed?"
He had once thought highly of Annabelle.
Young, capable, and respected throughout New Orleans, she seemed like one of the few sensible people left in Gordon’s circle.
Now he realized how naive she truly was.
If Captain Rico hadn’t already reported that she had secretly arranged for someone to deal with Dexter inside prison, Luca would have mistaken her for a saint.
After today, whatever goodwill he had toward her was gone.
He had no interest in dealing with people who let emotion cloud their judgment.
Without another word, he gestured for Cecelia to follow and walked toward the lift, leaving Annabelle standing silently in the lobby as employees looked on curiously.
...
Federal Office of Public Integrity.
Inside the detention room, Gordon Luiz waited anxiously for news from Ashley Johnson.
None came.
As the hours dragged on, the uneasiness in his chest only grew heavier.
’Did Ashley betray me?’
The thought flashed through his mind before he immediately dismissed it.
Ashley had followed him faithfully for years. Of all people, he was the least likely to betray him.
Then another possibility surfaced.
’Had Luca discovered the plan?’
The idea lingered, growing larger and larger until it refused to leave his thoughts.
His brows knitted together, his expression becoming increasingly grim.
His trial date was drawing closer.
Time was running out.
Deep down, Gordon already knew the likely outcome. At best, he would spend the rest of his life behind bars. At worst...
Death.
But before accepting his own fate, there was one thing he desperately wanted.
He wanted to hear that Luca, Romano and that woman, were dead.
Just then, two detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division entered the room.
"Gordon Luiz," one of them said, "we have some unfortunate news."
"Your wife, Lady Francine Luiz, was murdered two days ago."
"What?!"
Bang!
Gordon shot to his feet, slamming both hands onto the table with enough force to make it shake.
His eyes widened in apparent shock.
What neither detective noticed was the brief flicker of satisfaction that flashed across his face.
Excellent.
Now all that remained was to find out whether Ashley had succeeded with Luca.
"Who did it?" Gordon demanded, forcing panic into his voice. "Have you caught the murderer?"
"Our investigation indicates overseas involvement, but no suspects have been arrested so far."
The detective paused before continuing.
"There’s something else."
"The victims weren’t only Lady Francine Luiz."
"A former employee of the Luiz Conglomerate was also killed."
"We’re here today because we’d like to ask you a few questions."
This time, Gordon’s expression genuinely darkened.
He had wanted Francine and Frank Romano dead.
He just hadn’t expected the two of them to die together.
Apparently, even at the very end, the pair had remained inseparable.
As the thought crossed his mind, both detectives unconsciously looked toward him.
Neither said a word.
But their gazes lingered just a little too long on Gordon’s head.
For some reason...
His grey hair suddenly seemed to carry a suspicious shade of green.