Chapter 289: Sapphire-Vanguard Group

"Boss, I think you’re going to want to see this."

Justina had been quietly working at the computer for several minutes. Suddenly, she stopped typing and turned the laptop toward Luca.

He leaned closer. A scanned contract filled the screen. At first glance, it looked ordinary. Then Luca noticed the names.

The document detailed a collaboration between Vincent and Rose City, represented by Mr. Rodgers, the president of Sapphire-Vanguard Group. More importantly, the contract had been signed more than a year ago.

Luca’s eyes narrowed. Rodgers wasn’t just some businessman from Rose City. He was Lady Francine’s younger brother.

Francine had been Gordon Luiz’s first wife.

Luca had never met Rodgers personally, but he’d seen his photographs and spoken to him over the phone.

"I remember Sapphire-Vanguard is heavily involved in software engineering, right?"

He paused. There was something almost embarrassing about what he was about to admit. Luca actually owned ten percent of the company. That made him one of Sapphire-Vanguard’s major shareholders.

The problem was that he knew almost nothing about the company.

Most of what he remembered came from information Rico had given him in the past. As far as Luca knew, Sapphire-Vanguard was simply another major software company based in Rose City.

"Yes."

Rico nodded.

"While investigating Francine, I looked into Sapphire-Vanguard as well. The company has quite an interesting history."

He straightened slightly before continuing.

"Sapphire-Vanguard made its fortune in the early 2000s manufacturing counterfeit mobile phones. After that, they gradually moved into legitimate electronics manufacturing and expanded their expertise. These days, their software division is considered one of the strongest in the American market."

Luca nodded slowly.

"I see."

Suddenly, Vincent’s actions made much more sense.

No wonder he had been confident enough to challenge the Windsor and Halloway families in the technology sector.

Sapphire-Vanguard, the parent company behind Rose City, had been supporting him from the shadows all along.

Vincent really had prepared well.

The plan had been carefully constructed, and more importantly, he’d managed to keep it hidden.

Without Luca’s interference, Vincent could have secured funding from Hernandez Finances while receiving technical support from Sapphire-Vanguard.

Once those pieces came together, it wouldn’t have taken long for Maison Premier’s new technology company to overtake the Windsor and Halloway family’s project.

The gap would only grow from there.

Eventually, the Windsor and Halloway families might have been forced out of Capital City’s technology sector altogether.

Or Maison Premier could simply acquire them.

Arabella’s expression changed as the realization settled in.

"So that’s why Mom was turned down when she approached Sapphire-Vanguard for cooperation."

Her voice was quieter now. She hadn’t expected there to be such a connection behind the refusal. A chill ran through her at the thought.

If Luca hadn’t intervened, the Windsor and Halloway families might have been completely crushed by Maison Premier before they even realized what was happening.

Vincent had been playing a dangerous game. A patient predator, always waiting for the right moment to strike. And yet, in public, he maintained the image of a polished gentleman.

Arabella’s lips tightened.

"What a hypocrite."

Luca glanced at her.

The light from the window reflected in her eyes, making them almost sparkle.

He couldn’t help smiling.

"If I’d known you were trying to cooperate with Sapphire-Vanguard, I could’ve helped."

Arabella looked at him.

"With Nexora around, Mom doesn’t need to go through all that trouble anymore."

"No."

Luca shook his head.

"That’s not what I meant."

Everyone looked at him.

Luca leaned back in his chair, looking almost amused.

"My influence within Sapphire-Vanguard is actually pretty significant."

Silence. Rico stared at him. Justina stopped typing. Even Arabella blinked.

Rico had personally investigated Sapphire-Vanguard while looking into Francine. He’d never found any connection between the company and Luca. And Luca himself barely seemed to know what the company actually did.

So how could he possibly have influence there?

Luca smiled at their expressions.

"You might think I’m exaggerating, but I’m one of Sapphire-Vanguard’s shareholders."

Rico’s head snapped toward him.

"Boss, you’re serious?"

"I am."

Rico stared at him for several seconds.

He’d previously wondered whether Luca owned another business in Rose City, or perhaps had a close relationship with one of Sapphire-Vanguard’s executives.

Apparently, he’d been thinking far too small. Luca didn’t merely know someone inside the company. He owned ten percent of it.

Rico’s mouth twitched.

"Boss, you’re a shareholder, but you don’t even know what the company does?"

Luca shrugged.

"What can I say?"

Rico couldn’t help looking at him strangely. Most people who owned ten percent of a major corporation would probably know every detail of its business. Luca, on the other hand, had apparently bought the shares and simply moved on with his life.

It was almost absurd.

Then again, that was the difference between ordinary people and someone at Luca’s level.

For him, acquiring another company wasn’t something that required sleepless nights. Money was hardly an obstacle.

Arabella finally broke the silence.

"So what are you planning to do about Maison Premier?"

Her question immediately brought everyone’s attention back to the contract. Luca’s ten percent stake in Sapphire-Vanguard created an interesting problem. Sapphire-Vanguard was cooperating with Maison Premier.

The agreement also stated that thirty percent of the profits generated by the new technology company would go to Sapphire-Vanguard.

If Maison Premier’s plan succeeded, Luca would benefit from his shares. But if Maison Premier’s plan collapsed, his investment would suffer as well.

It was almost ironic.

The people on both sides were effectively connected through Luca himself.

Rico and Justina reached the same conclusion. Their expressions became slightly awkward. There didn’t seem to be an obvious solution.

Luca, however, simply laughed.

"Why are you all so worried?"

He waved a hand dismissively.

"At worst, I lose some money." He paused. "Besides, I can always sell the shares."

Rico’s eyes immediately brightened.

"That’s right!"

He slapped his palm against his fist. That solved the problem.

Maison Premier, Sapphire-Vanguard, and the Sato family were preparing to work together. They were probably expecting the partnership to send the new technology company’s valuation soaring.

And if that happened, Sapphire-Vanguard’s own value would likely rise as well.

"Boss, you’re incredible." Rico grinned. "Rodgers knows exactly how valuable your shares are. If you offer to sell them, he’ll probably pay a premium to get them back."

Luca smiled.

Unfortunately for Rodgers, Nexora was already approaching one of its most important breakthroughs. The photolithography machine was nearly ready. If Rodgers knew what Luca was actually developing, he might regret every dollar he’d ever invested.

But selling the shares directly back to him would only cost Rodgers some money. Luca wanted something more interesting.

"Selling them to Rodgers would certainly make him pay more than he wants."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"But it wouldn’t really hurt him."

Rico’s grin slowly disappeared.

Luca continued.

"So I’ve decided to sell my shares to Sapphire-Vanguard’s second-largest shareholder instead."

The room went quiet. Arabella stared at him. Rico stared at him. Even Justina stopped moving for a moment.

Then they understood.

Luca wasn’t trying to make Rodgers lose money. He was changing the balance of power inside Sapphire-Vanguard.

Whoever already held the second-largest stake in the company would become significantly more powerful after acquiring Luca’s ten percent.

Rodgers might not lose anything immediately. His company might even continue making money. But suddenly, he’d have someone with enough influence to challenge him sitting right beside him.

And that was far more dangerous.

Luca didn’t need to destroy Rodgers himself. All he had to do was put a knife in the hands of someone else and wait. Two powerful shareholders competing for control of the same company would inevitably create friction.

From there, Luca could simply sit back and watch.

He could already imagine Rodgers discovering that the person who had acquired his shares was now powerful enough to threaten his position.

Rico couldn’t help staring at Luca.

"Boss... you’re actually ruthless."

Luca only smiled.

There was no need to make Rodgers lose everything.

A small financial loss could be recovered.

But having a powerful rival constantly watching his back?

That was something far harder to escape.

And Luca had every intention of giving Rodgers exactly that.