Chapter 124: Lisandra Bonnet!
"Austin, I heard you know a thing or two about the digital startup and internet tech space?" Luca asked without beating around the bush.
The moment the topic shifted to technology, Austin Silva straightened up from his lounge chair by the pool. With a reluctant grin, he gently moved the stunning woman resting against his shoulder aside so he could give the conversation his full attention.
"Luca, don’t tell me you’re thinking about getting into the internet industry?"
As far as Austin knew, Luca’s empire revolved around physical businesses. Between the luxury commercial district and the private medical center, he had always pictured Luca as someone focused on traditional investments rather than digital ventures.
"It’s like this..."
Luca briefly explained Lucy Smith’s situation and the difficulties facing Johnathan’s independent game studio.
The more Austin listened, the brighter his eyes became.
A game studio?
An indie developer being cornered by Apex Gaming?
That immediately caught his interest.
Years ago, he had toyed with the idea of investing in the gaming industry himself, but the timing had never been right. Now an experienced studio desperately needed funding while a publishing giant was trying to crush them. To Austin, it looked less like a problem and more like an opportunity.
"Luca, this is actually pretty simple," Austin said excitedly. "Before you invest a single dollar, hire a top-tier legal team and a certified corporate auditor to conduct a complete financial and operational review of the studio. I’ll personally handle the auditing and notarization for you. As for legal representation, don’t settle for anything less than one of the best firms in the industry."
Luca immediately understood what Austin was getting at.
His friend wasn’t just offering help out of goodwill. He had become interested in the studio himself. If the project proved worthwhile, Austin clearly wanted to come in alongside him.
"I already own a law firm," Luca replied casually. "I’ll have the senior partners coordinate everything with you."
Austin froze.
His towel slipped off his shoulder without him even noticing.
"A... law firm?" he asked, blinking in disbelief. "Luca, you own a law firm? Which one?"
"Have you heard of Apex Legal Group in San Fierro?"
"Heard of them?" Austin practically shouted.
"Who on earth hasn’t?"
Apex Legal Group was famous throughout the West Coast and enjoyed a stellar reputation nationwide. The firm employed some of the country’s most respected corporate lawyers, including several professors from prestigious Ivy League universities.
And Luca owned it?
Austin stared blankly into space.
Just how many hidden identities did this man have?
After a long silence, he sighed dramatically.
"Luca... no... Father Luca... are you accepting applications for sons?"
"Get lost."
"I don’t even need to be your son. I’ll happily settle for being your grandson, Master Luca!"
Luca couldn’t help laughing.
"You’ve completely lost your mind."
...
After ending the call, Luca contacted the executive team at Apex Legal Group. He explained the situation, then forwarded Austin’s contact information so they could begin coordinating the audit and legal review.
By the time everything was arranged, Sophie had already parked the brand-new BMW M2 neatly in one of the plaza’s parking spaces.
Throughout the entire call, she had remained quietly in the driver’s seat. Her fingers rested gently around Luca’s free hand, listening without interrupting him even once. She simply sat there beside him, content to stay close.
Only after he finally put his phone away did she loosen her grip and lean toward the back seat to retrieve her handbag.
The instant their hands separated, Luca caught hers again.
Before she could react, he gave her a gentle tug.
"Ah... wait..."
Her surprised protest disappeared the moment his lips met hers.
The kiss was warm, lingering, and unhurried.
Neither of them wanted to pull away.
Luca’s hand slid naturally to her slender waist, drawing her closer, while Sophie wrapped both arms around his neck and melted into his embrace. The quiet cabin of the car shut out the noise of the bustling plaza outside, leaving only the sound of their breathing.
By the time they finally parted, Sophie’s cheeks had turned a vivid crimson.
She leaned lightly against him, breathing softly as she tried to calm the rapid beating of her heart.
Luca brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear before teasing with a grin.
"I’m starting to get tired from kissing you. Let’s go find something to eat."
"Hmph."
She puffed out her cheeks in mock annoyance, grabbed her purse, and climbed out of the car.
Yet the moment Luca walked around to join her, Sophie naturally slipped her arm through his as though it had always belonged there.
...
After enjoying a leisurely dinner together, the couple wandered into the shopping plaza’s cinema for an evening movie.
It was a romance centered around a dedicated fighter pilot.
The story began with youthful dreams and unwavering devotion, only to end in heartbreaking tragedy.
Luca remained fairly composed throughout the film.
Sophie, on the other hand, cried so much that by the time the credits rolled, she’d nearly gone through an entire packet of tissues. Had she forgotten to bring them, her makeup would have been completely ruined.
As the audience slowly filtered out of the theater, Luca waited outside the women’s restroom, leaning casually against the wall while holding Sophie’s handbag.
A rich floral perfume drifted toward him.
Then a soft voice spoke beside his ear.
"Hey, handsome."
"Why didn’t you ever add me on WeMessage? I’ve been waiting for days."
Luca looked up.
Standing before him was a strikingly beautiful woman dressed in a stylish tank top and a pair of short denim shorts that showed off her long legs. She wore a playful pout as she looked at him.
She seemed vaguely familiar.
But he couldn’t remember where they had met.
He frowned apologetically.
"Sorry... who are you?"
For the first time in years, Lisandra Bonnet questioned her own confidence.
She had taken the initiative to give a man her contact information, only for him to completely ignore it.
Now he couldn’t even remember her face.
Was she really that forgettable?
"Handsome," she said with an amused sigh, "I’m a flight attendant. Does that ring a bell now?"
Her reminder immediately brought the memory back.
When he had flown back from San Fierro, one of the flight attendants had discreetly slipped him a note with her contact information.
Unfortunately, he’d tossed it into the nearest trash bin as soon as he left the airport.
A trace of awkwardness crossed Luca’s face.
Still, he answered without missing a beat.
"Right, I remember now. I’m really sorry. I accidentally lost the note."
Technically, that wasn’t a lie.
It had indeed been lost.
The fact that he had intentionally thrown it away was another matter entirely.
"It’s alright."
Bonnet’s smile instantly returned. Taking out her phone, she opened her contact QR code and held it toward him.
"The fact that we ran into each other again here in Ashford has to mean something."
She smiled brightly, confidence returning to her eyes.
"It’s not too late for us to get to know each other properly."