Chapter 336: You’re Embarrassing Me!

In the end, Trish chose the red Maserati, while Rachel went with the yellow one.

Luca had expected nothing less from the two girls.

[Ding! The host has spent $295,000 on Trish Hale and triggered a Critical Hit Reward! Congratulations, host, on acquiring Silvercrest Winery!]

[Ding! The host has spent $295,000 on Rachel Kennedy and triggered a Critical Hit Reward! Congratulations, host, on acquiring The Brando, a private island resort in French Polynesia! Note: The host receives 99-year usage rights.]

A winery and a private island!

Luca’s satisfaction grew as he listened to the system notifications.

Although white liquor remained his drink of choice, he occasionally enjoyed a glass of red wine. Silvercrest Winery had come at the perfect time. Now he could sample some of the finest wines straight from his own estate.

His rising status also meant he was receiving more invitations to business receptions and exclusive gatherings. Showing up empty-handed wasn’t ideal, but handing someone a wad of cash as a gift felt far too crude.

With a winery of his own, he wouldn’t have to worry about finding suitable gifts for such occasions again.

The private island was an even more pleasant surprise.

He already owned the Vanderbilt Global Maritime Group in Europe. If Mr. Vanderbilt ever invited him to visit, he could take the opportunity to explore the continent while enjoying the privacy of his own island.

Not a bad arrangement at all.

"What’s got you smiling like that?" Vivienne asked, tilting her head as she studied his handsome face. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Luca turned towards her and met her gaze. Then he slipped an arm around her slender waist, drawing her gently against his side.

"Seeing them so happy makes me happy too." He leaned closer, his voice softening. "Besides, having you here with me makes everything better."

Vivienne’s expression melted. The cool, composed chairwoman who could make an entire boardroom nervous was nowhere to be seen. In her place was a woman looking at the man she loved with unmistakable tenderness.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away.

Luca lowered his head, intending to claim a kiss from her full, red lips.

"Daddy, you’re making me embarrassed!"

The childish complaint brought them both to an abrupt halt.

They looked down to find Daisy standing beside them, her little face tilted upwards as she watched them with an expression that suggested she’d caught them doing something terribly embarrassing.

Luca and Vivienne exchanged a glance before breaking into laughter.

He removed his arm from her waist and bent down to scoop Daisy into his arms. Once she was settled comfortably against him, he tapped her nose playfully.

"Silly girl. Why should Daddy be embarrassed? If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s your mommy, Vivienne."

"Don’t listen to your father’s nonsense," Vivienne replied, feigning indignation. "I’m not embarrassed at all!"

Daisy giggled, clearly delighted that she’d interrupted them.

By the afternoon, she had announced that she wanted to visit the amusement park. Luca readily agreed and asked Trish and Rachel to take her there.

With the three of them gone, he and Vivienne returned to Octaveo Pharmaceutical.

...

Octaveo Pharmaceutical, Chairman’s Office

"Chairman Hale, I’ve prepared some honey water for you."

Secretary Chloe approached the desk and carefully placed two cups on the table.

Vivienne was seated beside Luca. She yawned lightly before giving the secretary a grateful nod.

"Thank you, Chloe. You can take a break for a while. There’s no need to fuss over us. Everyone in the secretariat has been busy lately."

"Yes, Chairman."

Chloe smiled and picked up the tray.

Since becoming pregnant, Vivienne had experienced surprisingly few physical discomforts. Her biggest change, however, was how much more sleep she needed. As a result, the secretariat had taken on additional responsibilities to keep everything running smoothly.

Vivienne hadn’t overlooked their efforts. She had adjusted their bonuses accordingly, and the secretaries were now earning considerably more than before.

"If you need anything, just give me a call," Chloe said before leaving the office.

She had barely stepped into the secretariat when two colleagues, a man and a woman around her age, approached her.

"Chloe, how was it in there?"

Several other secretaries immediately turned their attention towards them. Although they pretended to be busy with their work, their ears were clearly tuned to the conversation.

Chloe glanced towards the chairman’s office, then broke into a mischievous smile.

"Hehe. Director Hale was helping our chairman with her work."

One of her colleagues raised an eyebrow. "Helping her with work? Is that all?"

Chloe’s smile widened.

"They were holding hands. It was so sweet!"

"Really?"

"Tell us more!"

The moment she confirmed it, the secretariat erupted into excited chatter.

To the employees, Vivienne had once been the very definition of an untouchable woman. She was beautiful, dignified, and intimidatingly aloof. Approaching her without a good reason had always required considerable courage.

But ever since Luca entered her life, things had changed.

The most obvious difference was that their chairman smiled far more often. Sometimes, she would be sitting at her desk with a perfectly serious expression, only to glance at her phone and suddenly smile to herself.

It happened often enough that even the most oblivious employee had noticed.

Then came the news of her pregnancy.

By now, the entire secretariat had become invested in the romance between Luca and Vivienne. They followed every little development with the enthusiasm of devoted fans, quietly rooting for their chairman’s fairytale love story.

And if anyone happened to catch the couple being affectionate, the news would spread through the office before long.

Meanwhile, inside the chairman’s office, the couple had no idea they were the subject of so much discussion.

Vivienne picked up her glass of water and took a sip before passing the cup towards Luca’s lips.

He glanced at it, then looked at her with a teasing smile.

"What? Trying to get an indirect kiss?"

Vivienne, who had been lounging lazily in her chair, straightened slightly.

"No."

She withdrew the cup, took another sip, then reached over and tugged at Luca’s half-open collar, drawing him closer.

Only then did she bring the cup back to his lips.

After he drank, she set it aside, took two tissues, and gently wiped the corner of his mouth.

Then, before he could say anything, she leaned forward and brushed her soft tongue against his lips.

"What’s the point of an indirect kiss?" she whispered, her beautiful eyes fixed on his. "My husband, I can kiss you whenever I want."

Her breathtaking face and alluring voice were a dangerous combination.

Luca felt as though an electric current had passed through his entire body. His fingers tightened around the armrest, and the veins on the back of his hands became more prominent. He swallowed, struggling to keep his composure as his breathing grew heavier.

Under normal circumstances, he would’ve carried Vivienne straight into the adjoining lounge and stolen some private time with her.

Unfortunately, she was pregnant.

As much as he wanted to indulge himself, he wasn’t about to do anything that might put her or their baby at risk.

Taking a slow breath, he reached up and caressed her smooth cheek, his thumb brushing lightly beneath the corner of her eye.

"You little vixen," he muttered with a helpless smile.

"Hehe."

Vivienne leaned against his chest, resting her forehead against him as she rubbed affectionately against his shirt.

Luca looked down at the woman nestled in his arms and let out another quiet breath.

"What exactly are you trying to do to me?"

The faint scent of roses lingered in her hair, while her warmth seeped through his clothes. Between her teasing words and the way she clung to him, his self-control was being tested from every possible angle.

"I’m increasing the intensity for Sophie."

Vivienne drew back just enough to look at him, covering her mouth as a quiet laugh escaped her.

Luca blinked.

"Isn’t that obvious?"

Vivienne rolled her eyes at him, her expression radiating playful charm.

"Knowing Rachel’s personality, she’ll probably cling to you the moment you get back. And if Sophie sees you visiting her house, do you think she’ll let you leave without asking you to help her get pregnant?"

The possibility wasn’t exactly far-fetched.

Sophie had been feeling increasingly downhearted because she still hadn’t conceived Luca’s child, especially with several of the other women already pregnant.

And at present, Diana Kennedy, the sisters’ mother, was still living in the house.

Rachel might be bolder than she appeared, but even she wouldn’t dare openly march into Luca’s bedroom with her mother under the same roof.

Sophie, on the other hand, had a much better opportunity.