Chapter 142: Confrontation!
Gordon Luiz’s objective was simple.
He wanted to defuse the growing conflict between himself and Luca Hale before it escalated into something that could damage both of their corporate interests.
Luca understood exactly what was happening beneath the surface, yet his tone remained calm as he asked, "And what brings President Luiz to my line personally?"
"Haha! Mr. Hale truly is an extraordinary young man." Gordon laughed warmly over the phone. "You don’t sound like someone in his twenties at all. I, Gordon Luiz, am genuinely impressed."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Since you’ve officially become the third-largest shareholder of The Luiz Conglomerate, it’s only proper that I, as president, pay you a visit. I wonder if Mr. Hale might have some free time in the coming days?"
Luca let out a faint chuckle.
"President Luiz... are you really unaware of what happened between your son and me?"
His voice turned colder.
"Save yourself the trip. I can’t accept hospitality that comes this suddenly."
"What?"
Gordon sounded genuinely shocked.
"Could that reckless son of mine have offended CEO Hale?"
His voice immediately hardened with righteous anger.
"What an unfilial brat!"
"Don’t worry, Mr. Hale. I’ll investigate this matter immediately. If he truly crossed the line, I hope you’ll be generous enough not to hold a young man’s mistakes against him."
Listening to Gordon’s flawless performance, Luca couldn’t help sneering inwardly.
’What a crafty old fox.’
The man clearly knew exactly what had happened, yet he pretended to know nothing. By calling himself the elder and Dexter the ignorant younger generation, he was subtly pressuring Luca into letting the matter go.
Unfortunately for him...
Luca had never cared about empty social etiquette.
Dexter hadn’t merely offended him.
He had tried to lay hands on Naomi.
That alone guaranteed there would be no peaceful ending.
And Naomi wasn’t even Dexter’s only target.
"Haha. Since President Luiz has put it that way..." Luca replied casually, "I’m not someone who holds grudges forever. As long as your son doesn’t continue making serious mistakes, I naturally won’t dwell on the past."
"CEO Hale truly is broad-minded." Gordon laughed in relief. "Once I’ve confirmed everything, I’ll personally bring that brat to apologize to you."
"No problem."
Luca calmly lifted a porcelain teacup, took a slow sip, and smiled faintly.
Only the chill in his eyes betrayed what he was really thinking.
After ending the call, he heard the soft sound of slippers tapping across the hardwood floor behind him.
Before he could turn around, a pair of slender arms slipped gently around his waist.
A breathtaking face framed by flowing wine-red hair rested lightly against his shoulder.
Luca placed his hand over hers and smiled.
"Did you sleep well, Vixen?"
"Mmh..."
Vivienne lazily rubbed her chin against his shoulder, half-closing her beautiful eyes.
"My darling... I’m starving."
"Then let me feed you."
He led her downstairs into the dining room.
Secretary Chloe had already arranged a fresh breakfast across the table.
Warm pastries, fresh fruit, eggs, and aromatic coffee filled the room with a comforting scent.
Vivienne picked up a soft pastry and took a delicate bite.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
"It’s delicious."
She smiled mischievously before holding the remaining half to Luca’s lips.
"My darling, try it."
There were already neat little bite marks on the pastry, but Luca didn’t hesitate.
He leaned forward and took a generous bite from exactly where she’d eaten.
"Mmh."
"It really is delicious."
His gaze remained fixed on Vivienne’s ruby-red lips.
Whether he was complimenting the pastry...
Or the woman holding it...
Was impossible to tell.
Vivienne immediately understood what he meant.
She rolled her eyes playfully before continuing her breakfast.
After a few quiet moments, her expression gradually became serious.
"What are you planning to do about Dexter Luiz?"
She knew the Luiz family’s influence in New Orleans better than almost anyone.
Dexter might look refined in public, but underneath the polished exterior, he was nothing more than an arrogant, lustful playboy.
His father, Gordon Luiz, was far more dangerous.
That old fox had built his empire by swallowing competitors whole.
If Gordon ever spotted an opening, he wouldn’t hesitate to destroy his opponent completely.
Vivienne knew Luca possessed tremendous influence back in San Fierro.
But...
This wasn’t San Fierro.
This was New Orleans.
Luca reached beneath the table and gently squeezed her hand.
"Don’t worry."
"I’m actually more concerned that Dexter won’t have the courage to make another move."
"And I’m hoping Gordon doesn’t surrender too quickly once the real storm begins."
Looking into Luca’s calm, confident eyes, the lingering worry inside Vivienne quietly disappeared.
A trace of admiration shone in her beautiful eyes.
’My husband... really is incredible.’
After breakfast, Harvey Adams sent over an encrypted intelligence report detailing The Luiz Conglomerate’s shareholder structure.
As Luca opened the document and saw his own name listed beside a twenty-seven percent stake, he couldn’t help admiring Harvey’s intelligence network.
He had only acquired those shares through the system yesterday.
Yet Harvey had already discovered the ownership change.
As he continued reading, one particular name suddenly caught his attention.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Seeing him stop scrolling, Vivienne stood up, walked over, and naturally settled onto his lap.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she asked softly,
"What is it?"
The delicate scent of roses drifted from her hair, pulling Luca back from his thoughts.
Without saying anything, he pointed toward the top of the report.
Vivienne leaned forward and read aloud.
"’Vanderbilt Global Maritime Group... forty percent ownership.’"
She looked at him in confusion.
"Is there something strange about that?"
"The Luiz Conglomerate has always relied heavily on international shipping."
"It’s perfectly normal for a giant maritime company like Vanderbilt to own such a large stake."
She continued reading.
"The third-largest shareholder..."
"Luca Hale..."
"Twenty-seven percent."
Luca quietly placed his phone on the table before gently turning her face toward him.
Looking directly into her eyes, he asked,
"What if I told you Vanderbilt Global Maritime Group is completely owned by your husband?"
Vivienne froze.
For several seconds...
Her mind went completely blank.
Did...
Did she hear that correctly?
Surely he was joking.
Her lips parted slightly.
"Is... that true?"
"It couldn’t be more real."
Vivienne stared at him in disbelief.
"Doesn’t that mean..."
"Darling..."
"You’re actually the majority shareholder of The Luiz Conglomerate?"
"It seems that’s exactly what it means."
For the first time in a very long while, even the composed Vivienne covered her mouth in shock.
"My darling..."
"You’re unbelievable."
She immediately threw herself into his arms, wrapping both arms tightly around his neck.
Only now did she finally relax completely.
With Vanderbilt’s forty percent stake combined with Luca’s personal twenty-seven percent...
He effectively controlled sixty-seven percent of The Luiz Conglomerate.
From this moment onward...
Gordon Luiz was no longer the true master of the company.
No matter how clever the old fox might be...
He would simply become another puppet dancing in Luca’s palm.
In the face of overwhelming control...
Schemes and conspiracies meant nothing.
Vivienne couldn’t hold back her joy any longer. She cupped Luca’s face in her hands and kissed him with fierce passion.
He met her with the same intensity, his arms sliding around her waist as he pulled her tightly against him. Their mouths moved together in a heated rhythm, each kiss growing deeper and more urgent.
The living room felt suddenly warmer, wrapped in a soft, intimate glow.
Meanwhile, from a tiny crack in the guest hallway door, Secretary Chloe quietly peeked inside.
Her eyes sparkled.
’Miss Vivienne and Mr. Hale are ridiculously cute together...’
Just then...
Ding dong.
The heavy chime of the villa’s front door echoed through the house, instantly breaking the romantic atmosphere.
Vivienne hurriedly straightened her slightly wrinkled dress before planting one last quick kiss on Luca’s cheek.
Her cheeks were faintly pink.
"Go handle your business, little husband."
"I’ll head upstairs."
Luca smiled before walking to the entrance.
After adjusting his collar, he opened the front door.
Standing outside was a lean, sharp-eyed man with a permanently gloomy expression.
Chainsaw.
Gordon Luiz’s personal enforcer.
Behind him stood another young man dressed in expensive designer casual wear.
His posture was arrogant.
His expression was even more so.
Luca immediately recognized him from the intelligence file.
Dexter Luiz.
Dexter stepped forward first.
"You must be Luca Hale."
"I’m sure you already know who I am."
"I’m Dexter Luiz."
He forced a smile that barely concealed his arrogance.
"I admit it was wrong for me to trouble your female creator backstage."
"So..."
"I’m offering you my apology."
"Let’s put this matter behind us."
"It’ll be better for both of us."