Chapter 286: Fuck!

After hearing Stephanie’s story, Luca’s opinion of Jack had somehow sunk even lower.

’What the hell is wrong with that guy?’

Was it some kind of twisted thrill? Some deep-seated psychological problem?

Luca wasn’t exactly qualified to diagnose anyone.

All he could think to say was, ’Fuck.’

For the first time that night, he genuinely felt sorry for Stephanie. Being betrayed was one thing. Being treated like this by the man she’d loved for more than a decade was something else entirely.

Still, sympathy wasn’t trust. No matter how vividly Stephanie described what had happened, Luca couldn’t simply take her word for everything.

"Mr. Hale... what about our cooperation?"

Stephanie sat across from him, her hands folded tightly in her lap. Her forehead was damp with cold sweat, and the color had almost completely drained from her face. Even recounting what had happened had been enough to bring the terror rushing back.

It felt like being trapped beneath freezing water, desperately trying to reach the surface while something kept dragging her down. She needed out.

The sooner Maison Premier fell, the sooner she could finally escape.

"Not enough," Luca said, shaking his head.

Stephanie looked up.

"You haven’t given me a reason to trust you yet. Without that, I can’t take your word for anything."

Her gaze dropped to the table. For a long time, she said nothing. Eventually, she bit her lower lip and raised her head.

"I don’t have much to offer." Her voice was quiet. "But if it’s my body..."

"Cough!" Luca nearly choked on his tea. He quickly set the cup down and raised a hand.

"Wait."

Stephanie froze.

Luca grabbed a tissue and wiped his mouth, staring at her with an expression somewhere between disbelief and confusion.

’Did she really just say that?’

This woman was seriously offering herself as a bargaining chip?

Luca couldn’t help rolling his eyes.

"Miss Stephanie, I think you’ve misunderstood me."

Stephanie stared at him. Only then did she realize what she’d just implied. Her cheeks burned.

If Luca hadn’t interrupted her, she had genuinely been prepared to sacrifice herself if that was what it took to get revenge.

But thinking about it now...

With Arabella by his side, why would Luca even be interested in her?

She gave a bitter little laugh.

"I’m sorry."

She lowered her eyes.

"Then what kind of sincerity do you want from me?"

Luca smiled.

Instead of answering, he turned toward the doorway.

"Captain Rico."

The door opened almost immediately. Rico walked in wearing casual clothes, his usual relaxed expression on his face. A short-haired woman followed behind him, carrying a laptop bag.

Rico nodded toward Luca before gesturing to the woman. She stepped forward and reached into her pocket. A tiny device, roughly the size of a USB drive, appeared between her fingers.

She placed it on the table.

"Miss Stephanie, all you need to do is connect this to Vincent’s computer." She paused. "Leave it there for two minutes, then remove it."

Stephanie stared at the device. "That’s all?"

She’d expected something much more complicated.

She’d assumed Luca would ask her to obtain confidential documents, research data, or some kind of information from Vincent’s business operations.

Getting those things would have been extremely difficult.

This was...

Surprisingly simple.

Stephanie and Vincent might have fallen apart emotionally, but they still maintained the appearance of a functioning marriage. Getting close to his computer wouldn’t be difficult.

She reached for the device. "Alright. I’ll do it." She slipped it into her pocket.

Luca nodded.

"Once it’s done, come back to me." He leaned against the chair. "I’ll arrange for you to leave the country."

Stephanie hesitated. "My documents are with Vincent. I don’t have access to them."

"That’s a minor problem."

Luca waved it off. "Just focus on completing your part. I’ll handle everything else."

With Starline Airways under his control, Hernandez Finances behind him, and Vanderbilt Global Maritime Group as another option, getting someone out of the country was hardly difficult.

If necessary, even the identity issues could be dealt with.

Stephanie finally relaxed. "Alright."

"Then I’ll leave everything to you, Mr. Hale."

A few minutes later, she walked out of Franco De Santa Estate.

Even after stepping outside, the entire encounter still felt unreal.

She had expected negotiating with Luca to be difficult. Instead, he’d agreed almost immediately. More importantly, he’d promised to help her leave the country. That had been one of her biggest goals from the beginning.

Revenge was the first. Freedom was the second. As long as she could escape Vincent and Maison Premier, she was already satisfied.

...

"Boss, we’re heading back," Rico said with a smile.

"No need."

Luca shook his head.

"My house is big enough. It’s not often that you and Justina come all the way here."

He glanced toward the short-haired woman, who was already sitting nearby and examining the contents of her laptop bag.

"Stay for the night. We’ll talk more over breakfast tomorrow."

Rico hesitated. "Uh... alright."

Justina nodded without looking up.

Luca turned toward the butler.

"Sir Alfred, arrange rooms for them."

"Yes, sir."

Luca yawned.

"I’m going back to bed."

He left the room. The night air was cool as he crossed the garden. He eventually reached the stone bridge and paused.

Above him, a bright full moon hung among scattered clouds, bathing the estate in pale silver light.

"Why are you still awake?" Arabella’s voice drifted toward him.

Luca turned.

She was walking up the stone steps toward the bridge, dressed in a thin nightgown with a light veil draped over her shoulders.

"Arabella." A gentle smile appeared on Luca’s face. He reached out and brushed his fingers against her cool cheek. "Why aren’t you sleeping?"

She smiled. "Because you weren’t beside me." She stepped closer. Rising onto her toes, she pressed her lips against his.

Luca naturally slipped an arm around her slender waist and returned the kiss.

For a while, neither of them spoke. Then Luca suddenly pulled back.

Arabella blinked.

"What?"

Luca grabbed her hand.

"Let’s go back inside first."

"But the moon is beautiful tonight."

She glanced toward the sky.

"This bridge is perfect for a romantic kiss."

"The atmosphere is definitely there."

Luca glanced around. Then he scratched his calf.

"But there are too many mosquitoes."

Arabella stared at him.

"They’re eating me alive."

"Tch."

She rolled her eyes.

"You’re hopeless."

Still smiling, she let him lead her away from the bridge. They walked through the garden. Just before they passed the pavilion, Arabella’s gaze briefly shifted toward one of the pillars.

She stopped for half a second. Then she said nothing and continued following Luca toward the house. Behind the pillar, Trish finally let out the breath she’d been holding.

"Phew." She patted her chest. "That scared me."

Beside her, Rachel remained unusually quiet. Trish leaned closer.

"Seriously, who was that woman?" She lowered her voice. "Why would she come looking for my brother this late at night?"

Rachel pursed her lips. She shook her head, but there was a strange glint in her eyes. She didn’t know who the woman was.

But one thing was becoming increasingly obvious. Luca had women coming to see him even in the middle of the night.

And if she wanted to keep up...

’Maybe I need to be a little bolder next time.’