Chapter 56: The Ruthless Man's Wisdom

Angelo didn't push the issue. He simply wanted to put his own house in order and head back at his earliest convenience. He realized it might be wise to bring Livia a little something when he got back – a peace offering of sorts.

Just after hanging up, Angelo received a text message from Valentia.

[Angelo, there’s something you need to see.]

Attached was a video.

He wasn't usually one for short clips, but the thumbnail caught his eye with a familiar face, so he clicked play with a stone-faced expression.

The video ended with Livia and some man embracing each other closely, their reluctant goodbye rather dramatic, as though they couldn't bear to be apart.

Livia didn't even give him a second glance when she walked out on him, and now she's already getting chummy with another dude.

A chilling darkness crept into Angelo's eyes.

Livia had returned to her parents' home, and with Matias still at work, she often joined her mother, Matilde, for a stroll downstairs or a trip to the farmers’ market.

"Your Dad mentioned a few days ago that some boss he met last time at home wants to transfer him to work for a jewelry store, just watching the cameras instead of patrolling or guarding. The pay seems a bit better than the current one, and the hours are shorter," Matilde rambled on.

Livia had no clue that Angelo had considered finding her father a new job. She only learned the reality after questioning her dad following Angelo's last visit. The company had been on the brink of bankruptcy until Angelo stepped in with an investment, becoming its major shareholder and saving her father's job.

"Livia, why is this new boss so keen on looking after your dad? He not only saved his job when things got shaky, but now a promotion and raise? What's going on?" Matilde was somewhat uneasy. "How does an old man like your dad stumble upon such good fortune?"

Livia averted her gaze. She couldn't reveal to her mother that Angelo had taken a liking to her.

"Maybe it's just because Dad is committed and conscientious at work. Whether he decides to switch jobs, that's his call," Livia said without taking sides.

She just hadn't figured it out—Angelo was very concerned about their relationship becoming known to her family, so why move her Dad to M Jewelry Company?

Matilde waved her hand dismissively. "I won't interfere. I'll let him make his own choices. At his age, you can't expect to strike it rich. Just being able to work in comfort until retirement is plenty."

Livia nodded in agreement.

As mother and daughter reached the apartment building, the curly-haired Mrs. Porter approached with a smile. "I was wondering why Livia wouldn't give my nephew a chance, but seeing her boyfriend, who's so refined and handsome, I get it. Nice catch!"

Livia was utterly confused.

"Boyfriend?" Matilde asked, her curiosity piqued.

"You didn't know?" Mrs. Porter pulled out her cell phone while speaking to Livia. "Livia, this is not right. Why would you have a beau and keep it a secret from your Mom?"

A thought flickered through Livia's mind—had someone found out about her and Angelo?

That's impossible.

"Look, it's all over the internet," Mrs. Porter said as she handed her phone to Matilde with a grin. "Take a look. Isn't this guy easy on the eyes? Is this your future son-in-law?"

Matilde scrutinized the screen, her eyes lighting up. "Livia, isn't this that professor?"

"Professor, you say? Well, that's a perfect match!" Mrs. Porter chuckled heartily. "So young and already a professor. You’ve got great taste, Livia. Congratulations, you can finally set your worries aside."

Matilde was fixated on the video of the two people, not really listening to what was being said around her. The more she watched, the more she liked it.

"Goodness, we had no clue about this," Matilde managed to stay composed, cautious in case they had gotten it wrong. The rumor might not look good if spread. "Let's not spread the word just yet, in case we've misunderstood."

Mrs. Porter waved it off, put away her phone, and asked, "Come on, Livia, tell us the truth. Is he your boyfriend?"

Livia was speechless—she had never expected a simple street interview to reach Mrs. Porter’s eyes.

"Mrs. Porter, you can't just go by appearances. You have to listen to what we say. Friends, we are just friends," Livia explained with patience.

Livia felt completely deflated.

She turned to her mother, who was giving her a scrutinizing look. "Mom, Lucas, and I are really just friends. I was at the airport yesterday to see off a friend and just happened to bump into him. Then, we got caught up in a street interview and were asked a few questions. You should watch that video properly later."

"Does he have a girlfriend?" Matilde inquired.

"He doesn't," Livia replied.

Matilde's eyes lit up, "So neither of you is seeing anyone. What's stopping you from dating? Can't you take the initiative?"

Livia mustered a strained smile. "Mom, can we not joke about this?"

"Why can't you find a boyfriend who's handsome and decent?" Matilde asked. "That's not too much to ask for, is it?"

"I guess not," Livia said, her smile fading.

"Why not give it a shot with Lucas? Can you bring him home for us to meet?" Matilde wasn't initially so eager, but watching that video had gotten her excited.

Livia finally understood why Angelo had refused to participate in the video. It spelled trouble.

Indeed, the most heartless men are often the most rational.

"Mom," Livia said, feeling helpless. "I actually just met him when I was out having fun. Including yesterday, we haven't even met five times."

Matilde paused. "If you put it that way, then you definitely need to get to know each other better. But isn't that what dating is about? After you get to know each other well, then you can discuss marriage. We're not expecting you to rush, but you've got to give us some hope, right?"

Livia was at a loss for words. "When I meet someone right, you won't need to push. I'll bring them home myself."

Seeing Livia getting restless, Matilde nodded in rapid agreement, "Okay, no rush. Just keep it in mind."

When she got home, Livia shut herself in her room and watched the video over and over again. The comments were plentiful, mostly praising her and Lucas.

She was a bit worried. 'What if the neighbors could see the video? What about other people?

'Could Angelo have seen it? Probably not.

'Knowing his character, if he had seen the video, wouldn't he have called to confront me about it already? He hasn't texted or called me for several days.'