Chapter 96: You Can Leave Now!
Knock Knock knock
Their kiss was abruptly cut short by the sound of the knocks coming from the office door.
"Chairwoman Vivienne, Someone is here to see you."
The secretary’s voice came from outside.
Vivienne reacted with astonishing speed. She gently pushed Luca away, smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt, quickly ran a hand through her slightly tousled hair, and slipped back into her chair behind the desk.
By the time she settled in, her expression had completely transformed.
The warm, playful woman from moments ago had vanished.
In her place sat the cold, composed chairwoman of Octaveo Pharmaceutical.
Watching the entire performance unfold before his eyes, Luca nearly laughed out loud.
Especially when Vivienne shot him a warning glare before putting on her icy expression again.
Seeing the other side of Vivienne, it was hard for Luca to take her look seriously.
’The way she instantly switched up... someone should give her an Oscar.’
"Ahem."
Vivienne cleared her throat before speaking in her usual calm voice.
"Come in."
The office door opened.
Luca had been wondering who the reason for the interruption was, but the moment he saw the visitor, recognition dawned on him.
It was Tristian Caldwell.
Benjamin Caldwell’s foolish son.
The instant Tristian entered, his eyes landed on Luca sitting comfortably on the sofa.
Surprise flashed across his face.
Then his gaze drifted lower.
Under the coffee table sat a pair of elegant red high heels.
His expression immediately darkened.
Everyone at Octaveo knew Tristian had been pursuing Vivienne for years.
Whether it was because his father coveted the shares in her possession or because he genuinely admired her, only Tristian himself knew.
Now, however, he had found Luca alone in Vivienne’s office.
Her shoes were lying beside the sofa.
The office door had been closed for quite some time.
A man.
A woman.
Alone together.
His imagination immediately began running wild.
Anyone could put two and two together.
’What else could they possibly have been doing? Playing Candy Crush?’
The thought made jealousy flare inside him.
After taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, Tristian forced himself to ask,
"Vivienne... what’s he doing here?"
His tone sounded less like a question and more like an interrogation.
Vivienne slowly lifted her eyes.
They were as cold as winter frost.
"Director Tristian Caldwell."
"You should address me as Chairwoman."
Her voice was icy.
"And Chairman Hale is the third-largest shareholder of Octaveo Pharmaceutical."
"Is there anything strange about him being in my office?"
Luca almost laughed.
’He really is Benjamin Caldwell’s idiot son.’
’And more than that, he’s just the stereotypical spoiled millionaire son.’
’How I wish I could just get up right now and give him a beating he’d remember.’
Tristian opened his mouth, seemingly to say something but not a word came out.
He was speechless.
Unable to argue, he could only change the subject.
"Chairwoman... my cousin’s wife came crying to me. She said she’s been fired."
"Is that true?"
Vivienne’s attention never left the documents on her computer.
"If that’s what you’re here for, then yes."
"I dismissed her personally."
"The finance department is already processing her final salary."
Tristian frowned.
"But... she’s my relative."
Vivienne finally looked up.
"So?"
Her gaze sharpened.
"Does being your relative mean she’s entitled to keep a management position while contributing nothing?"
"She knows nothing, accomplishes nothing, and spends her days doing even less."
"If everyone in this company relied on family connections instead of ability, what would become of Octaveo Pharmaceutical?"
"What message would that send to the employees who actually work hard and generate profits?"
Tristian immediately found himself at a loss for words.
"But..."
Vivienne waved a hand impatiently.
"There’s nothing more to discuss."
"My decision is final."
"If you have no other business here, feel free to use the door."
Seeing her unwavering attitude, Tristian sighed bitterly.
He understood exactly what was happening.
Today it was only a junior manager.
Tomorrow...
It could easily be someone else from the Caldwell family’s faction.
With Benjamin Caldwell now in the hospital, the influence his father had spent years building was slowly being dismantled piece by piece.
Yet there was nothing he could do except watch.
As he reached the door, Tristian cast one final glance toward Luca.
Luca hadn’t spared him a single look.
His attention remained entirely on Vivienne, as though Tristian didn’t even exist.
The humiliation made Tristian clench his fists.
Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Turning toward Luca, he said respectfully,
"Chairman Hale, I was ignorant before and offended your wife."
"I’m truly sorry."
With that, he gave a deep bow and turned to leave the office.
The moment he stepped through the door, a vile smile crept across his face. It was the kind of smile that belonged to a man who would gladly set the world ablaze, then stand in the middle of the flames and watch everything burn with him.
A smile devoid of guilt, restraint, or remorse.
Truly evil.
’No way did he just... The bastard!’
The moment the door closed behind him, Luca felt a chill crawl up his spine.
’Something’s wrong...’
He cautiously turned toward Vivienne.
Sure enough.
She was looking at him.
Those beautiful eyes, capable of captivating anyone, now carried a dangerously calm smile that somehow felt colder than ice.
Luca forced out an awkward laugh.
"Hehe..."
"Lovely weather we’re having, right, honey?"
"Honey?"
Vivienne slowly repeated the word.
"Who exactly is this ’wife’ Director Caldwell was talking about?"
Luca immediately felt his scalp go numb.
He naturally knew Tristian was referring to Naomi.
The problem was...
There was no way he could admit that now.
"Uh..."
For the first time in a long while, the usually smooth mouthed Luca found himself speechless.
Vivienne smiled sweetly.
Too sweetly.
"Oh?"
"Nothing to say now?"
She raised a slender finger.
"I’ll only ask once."
"Who..."
"...is that ’wife’ Director Caldwell mentioned?"
Luca opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
No explanation seemed capable of saving him.
Seeing his conflicted expression, Vivienne gave a soft snort.
"Hmph."
She pointed gracefully toward the office door.
"The exit’s over there."
"You..."
"...can leave now."