Chapter 44
When Vitale was about to leave, Blake's man called out from behind, "Mr. Luca, our boss says there's something else to discuss."
Vitale frowned and checked the time. It was still okay, "Then let's sit down and talk some more. I hope he has something valuable to say, or I'll be annoyed."
"Of course."
Vitale returned to his seat. Blake hurried forward with that typical smooth businessman's smile on his face, "That old dock area in the port district, you're not using it for anything. Sell it to me, I'm planning to build a theater."
Amboni frowned slightly, clearly displeased with Blake's pushiness.
"Mr. Rossi, do you know what that place is?"
Blake paused, "No, but I want to buy it. Is there a problem?"
Vitale let out a cold laugh, "A theater?"
His tone was flat, emotionless, "Since when are you interested in culture and art, Blake?"
"People need to have some higher pursuits." Blake shrugged, though his eyes remained sharp, "I heard the Gabriel family is also interested in that land. The price they're offering probably won't be higher than mine."
The air instantly froze.
Amboni stepped forward, lowering his voice, "Mr. Luca, the Gabriel family's people did appear in the port district last month."
Vitale raised his hand to stop him, his eyes locked on Blake, "You're well-informed, but do you know why I've been holding onto that land?"
Blake's smile stiffened slightly, "Why?"
"That was the site of my mother's old dance school." Vitale's voice was soft, yet it made the VIP room completely quiet, "Before she ran off with someone, it was the best school in Lumaria."
Blake clearly hadn't expected this answer and was momentarily speechless.
Vitale stepped forward, radiating a dangerous aura, "So, Blake, are you now trying to use the Gabriel family to threaten me into selling my mother's memory?"
"No, that's not what I meant." Sweat began to form on Blake's forehead. He knew too well how much Vitale hated betrayal, and mentioning his mother Thea Ellis was already taboo.
He started explaining why he wanted that piece of land, looking quite ridiculous through the smoke.
Vitale took a deep drag on his cigar, letting the smoke circle in his lungs.
He watched Blake rambling on, but his mind had already drifted to that stubborn Isabella.
What was Isabella doing now? Was she still angry about the account books?
Every time he thought of his mother Thea, he would think of Isabella, using her smile to soothe the wounds that had been reopened.
"Just say it straight, Blake." Vitale interrupted the pleasantries, "That land, how much are you offering?"
Blake showed a knowing smile, "Seems like that Miss really has you distracted. The price is negotiable, but there's a problem now. Costa's people are also eyeing that land."
"So you should know how sought-after that land is. Of course, to you, it's just a piece of land. I don't mean any disrespect to your mother, but I figure you don't want those memories."
Vitale did hate those memories, but that didn't mean he wanted to let them go.
Vitale took the document folder, frowning slightly, "Costa's influence has grown that much?"
"That's exactly what I want to ask you." Blake spread his hands, "Ten million dollars. Can that solve this problem?"
Vitale saw Isabella's angry fist emoji and smiled.
Maybe that land should go. It couldn't affect him.
Amboni was about to speak when Vitale raised his hand to stop him, "Deal. Amboni, prepare the contract, run it through the internal accounts. And send some people to clear out the annoying flies."
He turned to Blake, his eyes suddenly sharp, "Remember, don't cause me trouble, and don't drag my family and company into anything. Understand?"
Blake felt a chill down his spine and nodded quickly, "Of course, Mr. Luca."
During the conversation, Vitale received a text from Henley: [Reached an understanding with her, will ensure her safety.]
His tense mouth finally relaxed, a subtle change that Blake keenly caught.
"Good news?" Blake asked tentatively.
Vitale put his phone in his pocket, "Mr. Rossi, remember to invite me for a tour after the project is completed."
This seemingly casual invitation was actually a final warning.
Blake tactfully stood up, "Definitely. How about dinner together? I know a nice restaurant nearby."
"Sorry," Vitale glanced at his watch, "I need to go see her."
He paused, his voice carrying an undeniable warning, "I hope you won't develop any unnecessary interest in her."
"How would I dare?" Blake quickly assured him.
Vitale instructed Amboni, "I want her to have complete freedom."
"Already arranged. No one dares to pry into her private affairs," Amboni replied.
Blake immediately chimed in, "I know nothing about it."
After boarding, Vitale said to Amboni, "Move her office into my suite."
Amboni turned his head in shock, "Mr. Luca, isn't that too obvious?"
"What's the problem?" Vitale raised an eyebrow, "Last time I had just pressed her against the desk to have sex when someone knocked to deliver documents. Being interrupted like that felt really bad."
He recalled that afternoon when Isabella was sitting on the edge of his desk, his fingers teasing between her legs, making her let out suppressed moans.
Just as she was about to climax, the knocking came at the wrong time.
Although no one dared to barge in, that moment's mood made Vitale irritable all day.
He also missed that sofa in her apartment.
The first day he moved in, he had pressed Isabella onto that soft leather sofa. Her bottom turned red under his palm. At first, she bit her lip hard, not daring to make a sound, until he increased the force, making her moan without restraint.
But afterward, Isabella forbade Vitale from going to the apartment, worried that neighbors would see him leaving her place disheveled.
However, Vitale had already prepared a backup plan. He secretly set up a fingerprint lock on the apartment. During Isabella's business trip, he missed her so much that he entered her apartment with the password in the middle of the night.
In the bedroom, she was sleeping soundly, her nightgown rolled up to her waist, her long legs and full breasts glowing like pearls in the moonlight.
He couldn't help but kiss Isabella's shoulder and neck, but heard her murmuring in her dream, "Vitale... don't..."
That sentence made Vitale freeze instantly.
He stared at her sleeping profile and finally just covered her with a blanket and sat in the living room all night.
The plane began to descend, and Vitale collected his thoughts.
Amboni asked carefully, "Do you need to notify Ms. Martinez that you're coming?"
"No need." Vitale looked out the window at the approaching city, "Give her a surprise."
But he knew clearly that this trip wasn't just about surprises.
Costa's influence was larger than expected, and Isabella was in danger.
This time, he not only wanted to win Isabella's heart but also to ensure her absolute safety.