Chapter 101: We’re Going Racing!
"Good morning, Chairman Hale."
"Morning, Chairman Hale."
As soon as Luca Hale stepped into Octaveo Pharmaceutical’s office building, employees greeted him one after another. The young women in particular were especially enthusiastic. Many of them hurried over just to exchange a few words with him, flashing bright smiles as they wished him a good morning.
Luca returned every greeting with the same warm smile.
The scene left countless single male employees green with envy.
Unfortunately, there was little they could do besides grumble to themselves.
After all, Luca Hale wasn’t just handsome. He was wealthy, influential, and now one of the company’s major shareholders.
Rumors about him had already spread throughout the company.
Some claimed he was the heir of a powerful family from New Orleans or Las Venturas, quietly being groomed to inherit the family empire. Others said he had come to San Fierro partly because of Vivienne and partly to build his own achievements before returning to seize control of his family’s business three years later.
Whether the rumors were true or not, everyone agreed on one thing.
This was someone they absolutely couldn’t afford to offend.
...
Eventually, Luca arrived outside Vivienne’s office and knocked gently.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in," Vivienne’s calm voice answered from inside.
Luca pushed the door open.
Vivienne sat behind her desk in a fitted red dress, staring intently at the computer screen. Her elegant brows were knitted together as she focused on the documents before her.
She didn’t notice him until he walked closer.
The moment she looked up and saw Luca, the tension between her brows melted away. Her cold, businesslike expression softened into a gentle smile.
"Sit down for a while," she said warmly. "I’m still a little busy."
Luca nodded.
Instead of heading straight for the sofa, he walked over to the coffee table, picked up the coffee pot, and poured her a fresh cup.
Vivienne accepted it with a smile.
"Thank you."
She took a small sip before returning to work.
Over the next two hours, Luca witnessed firsthand what it meant to be a genuine workaholic.
Department heads came and went one after another.
Each was responsible for a major division of Octaveo Pharmaceutical. They respectfully greeted Luca before turning their attention to Vivienne, reporting on projects, requesting approvals, or discussing urgent matters.
The office door barely stopped opening.
Watching everything unfold, Luca couldn’t help feeling a little awkward.
’I’m in charge of Twitch...’
’Starline Airlines...’
’Several shopping districts...’
’And they’re all practically running themselves.’
Meanwhile, Vivienne was personally reviewing every report, making every decision, and coordinating every department.
’Am I... a little too free?’
’I do review a couple of documents from time to time...’
’But never am I this serious about it...’
This was what a real CEO looked like.
Unlike him.
When there was work to do, the system handled it.
When there wasn’t any work...
The system still handled it.
’A secretary?’
’I don’t even have one.’
’Or rather... I don’t need one.’
’The system practically does everything for me.’
Thinking about how hard Vivienne worked while he spent most of his days flirting with beautiful women and enjoying life, even Luca, whose face was thicker than castle walls reinforced with artillery, felt a rare hint of embarrassment.
...
Something soft brushed across his cheek.
It tickled.
Luca slowly opened his eyes.
A breathtakingly beautiful face hovered barely four inches away.
Vivienne had leaned over him.
Holding a small lock of her silky red hair between two slender fingers, she gently brushed the tips across his face. Seeing him wake, she smiled and stopped.
Luca assumed she was about to sit beside him.
Instead, Vivienne surprised him.
She placed both hands lightly on his shoulders, climbed onto the sofa, and settled herself comfortably across his lap.
Naturally, Luca wrapped an arm around her slender waist and drew her a little closer.
Vivienne relaxed against his chest without the slightest resistance.
"When did I fall asleep?" Luca asked with a laugh.
Vivienne pursed her lips into a faint smile.
"By the time I finished working, you were already sleeping soundly."
"Any more work after this?"
She shook her head.
"No."
A sparkle immediately appeared in her beautiful eyes.
"We’re going racing this afternoon."
Luca had never been particularly interested in racing.
But Vivienne loved it.
That alone was enough reason for him to go.
"Sounds good."
"So..." Luca asked with a smile, "where are we heading now?"
A mischievous glimmer flashed through Vivienne’s eyes.
She leaned close until her lips almost touched his ear.
"Luca..."
"I don’t want to go anywhere right now."
"I just want to stay like this with you."
"Hehe..."
Her soft, alluring voice was like a warm flame brushing against his heart.
This woman truly was a temptress.
Not only was she naturally charming, but she understood exactly how to tease a man without crossing a single line.
Even someone as experienced as Luca nearly lost his composure.
Unable to resist, he gently cupped her beautiful face and kissed her soft red lips.
"Mmm..."
Golden afternoon sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the office in a warm glow.
Perhaps it was the sunlight...
Or perhaps it was the kiss.
Either way, Vivienne’s cheeks became noticeably rosier.
Unlike Naomi Monroe or Sophie Kennedy, who would become so shy they’d practically hide themselves away, Vivienne remained remarkably composed.
Still...
Kissing Luca inside her own office left even her feeling slightly flustered.
Her breathing grew uneven as she quietly steadied herself.
After a few moments, the familiar teasing smile returned.
"Luca..."
She looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"You’re awfully experienced."
Luca instantly understood what she meant.
She wasn’t complimenting his kissing.
She was pointing out that he clearly had experience with other women.
He could only smile helplessly.
There was no denying it.
Vivienne.
Naomi.
Sophie Kennedy in Ashford.
There was also Arabella Windsor, the quiet young woman who had once sketched his sleeping face with remarkable tenderness.
And Amelia Grant, whose relationship with him had always been carefree and uncomplicated, not really a romantic relationship bar that one night. She was someone he could genuinely relax around and enjoy spending time with, at least in his eyes.
He had no intention of giving any of them up.
Seeing Luca’s eyes wander as if recalling someone, Vivienne couldn’t help narrowing her own.
"Oh?"
"You’re holding me in your arms..."
"And yet you’re already thinking about other women?"
She lightly pinched his cheek before letting out an amused snort.
"Little Naomi was absolutely right."
"You’re hopeless."
"A complete womanizer."