Chapter 60
"Alright, I think we might need to pause our conversation. I'll go meet Mr. Luca in a bit." Isabella said to Carter's assistant, keeping a perfect professional smile on her face.
Just then, the bodyguard who had been silently standing behind Carter suddenly slapped his forehead in frustration and muttered under his breath, "Damn it, I forgot about those rumors I heard..."
Carter turned her head sharply, her eyes narrowing, "What rumors?"
The bodyguard realized he'd slipped up, but it was too late to take it back.
He glanced awkwardly at Isabella before mustering the courage to speak, "Mrs. McKenna, I've heard that Ms. Martinez is Mr. Luca's weak spot. So, our attitude just now might not have been appropriate."
Carter rolled her eyes gracefully, though her voice remained gentle, "Say that a bit louder, why don't you? Maybe the whole building will hear."
She turned to the bodyguard, her tone carrying a hint of reproach, "That was a foolish thing to say."
Isabella's smile froze for a split second.
She had never imagined herself as Vitale's weak spot.
In the world of the mafia, that word was practically a death invitation.
Was this a rumor spread by Simon?
Or maybe those jealous female employees?
But then Isabella had a second thought, and she suddenly thanked God for the bodyguard's big mouth.
Because Carter's attention completely shifted. She stopped nitpicking the details of the proposal and started focusing on Isabella herself.
"Mrs. McKenna, I think we should go," the bodyguard suggested awkwardly, "Maybe we can come back another day..."
"No, today," Carter said as she sat back down on the sofa and pulled out her reading glasses from her handbag, "I need to go over these terms again. Go get my other file from the car."
After the bodyguard left, looking relieved, Carter took off her glasses and looked at Isabella, "You don't need to be afraid of me, Isabella. I'm not going to bite."
Isabella unconsciously ran her fingers through her hair.
It was a habit she had when she felt nervous, "Yes, Mrs. McKenna, I misunderstood you. But I am a bit nervous."
Carter reached out and gently patted the back of Isabella's hand.
The gesture was so tender that it reminded Isabella of faint memories of her mother.
"Isabella, you're very brave," Carter said, her voice as warm as the sunshine in Lumaria, "Don't be nervous. I struggled in a man's world when I was young, too. I know how hard it is."
The next half hour was completely different.
Carter was no longer a picky client but a patient mentor.
She pointed out a few legal loopholes in the proposal that could easily be missed, shared her decades of experience in business battles, and even taught Isabella how to spot hidden traps in contracts.
"Mrs. McKenna, I really admire your sense of style," Isabella said sincerely.
Carter's Chanel suit looked conservative at first glance, but a vintage brooch at the collar added a unique touch.
It was the perfect blend of feminine strength and elegance.
Carter laughed, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes filled with wisdom, "Yes, I like it too. Remember, dear, clothes are a woman's armor."
She stood up, ready to leave, "And by the way, I don't believe those rumors. You are who you are, not anyone's weak spot."
At that moment, Isabella felt deeply touched.
She couldn't help herself and stepped forward to hug the older woman.
It was improper in a business setting, but Carter hugged her back, like a mother embracing her daughter.
"If anything changes, come find me anytime," Carter promised, "I won't keep you waiting long."
---
After seeing Carter off, Isabella stood in the hallway, suddenly realizing something.
She was really starting to like Carter.
In this world full of schemes and desires, Carter felt like a warm lighthouse.
Then Isabella's gaze shifted to Vitale's office.
He had kept his word.
All her office supplies had already been moved out.
Through the glass wall, she could see her new office just 30 feet away, separated by a transparent corridor.
This move caused quite a stir in the company.
When Isabella arrived this morning, she could feel the stares.
The female employees first looked shocked, unable to believe it, then couldn't hide their glee.
They thought their chance had come, that Vitale had finally lost interest in Isabella.
But they were soon disappointed.
Vitale was cold as ice to everyone today, not even bothering with his usual polite smiles.
Only when he passed by Isabella's new office did he slow down slightly, his eyes glancing at the figure behind the glass wall.
Isabella looked at the transparent partition, her cheeks turning slightly red.
She remembered Vitale explaining how this glass worked.
One-way visibility—people outside couldn't see in, but she could see everything outside clearly.
Just like the full-length mirror in the castle, where she had once been lifted by Vitale, her legs held high, watching how his body moved in and out of hers, watching herself come undone in his hands.
"Damn it," Isabella muttered under her breath, forcing herself to stop the memory.
But her body had already betrayed her.
The dampness under her skirt, the racing heartbeat, and that familiar heat.
Isabella took a deep breath and walked toward Vitale's office.
The knock echoed clearly in the quiet hallway.
"Come in."
Vitale was sitting behind his massive mahogany desk, typing something on his laptop.
His office felt unusually empty after Isabella had moved out.
The little decorations, the green plants, and the books she often read were all gone, leaving behind only a cold, business-like style.
Vitale looked up, his blue eyes softening the moment he saw her, "Isabella, what's up?"
"Vitale…" she started, but he cut her off.
"It's just the two of us now," Vitale said, closing his laptop and leaning back in his chair, "What should you call me?"
Isabella smiled, "Yes, Vito."
She took a few steps closer, "Are you busy? Am I interrupting?"
"No," Vitale said, standing up and walking around the desk, "You're here, so your business is the most important."
He stopped just a step away from Isabella, "What's wrong?"
"Carter was satisfied with the proposal," Isabella said, her fingers twisting together unconsciously, "But her bodyguard mentioned a rumor that I'm your weak spot. I want to know what's going on."
Vitale didn't answer right away.
He just looked at her, his gaze as deep as the Lunaire Sea at night.
Then Vitale extended his hand, making an inviting gesture.
Isabella hesitated for a second before stepping forward and sitting on his lap.
The position felt too intimate, and she nervously glanced at the door.
If someone walked in suddenly…
"Don't worry," Vitale said, seeing through her concern. His arm naturally wrapped around her waist, "They have to call me first before coming in now."
His fingertips lightly brushed her back, "Amboni is guarding the door, and Henley is at the end of the hallway. No one will disturb us."
Vitale paused before continuing, "About that rumor, I'm the one who spread it."
Isabella whipped her head around to look at him, "What?"
"I had Henley spread the word in certain circles," Vitale said, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather, "'Isabella is Vitale's weak spot.' Now both the Underworld and the Authorities know it."
"Are you crazy?" Isabella struggled to stand up, but he held her firmly in place, "You're putting me in danger!"
"No, Isabella," Vitale said, his voice low and resolute, "I'm protecting you."
He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes, "When everyone knows you're my weak spot, no one will dare touch you. Because hurting you is the same as declaring war on me."
Vitale's thumb gently brushed her lips, "And everyone who's declared war on me is dead."
Isabella's heart pounded.
She should be angry, she should be scared, but deep down, something dark was stirring.
The thrill of being so fiercely possessed, so insanely protected.
"And if…" Isabella asked softly, "If one day, you really have to choose between the family and me?"
Vitale smiled.
That smile was dangerous, captivating, and carried an undeniable resolve.
"That day will never come," Vitale said, "Because from the moment you lost that dart game, you became part of my family. My family, my rules."
He leaned down and kissed Isabella, the kiss gentle yet firm, like sealing a lifelong contract.
When their lips parted, Vitale whispered, "Now, let's talk about Carter. Did she give you a hard time?"
"No," Isabella said, resting against his shoulder, "She was warm, like a mother. She's the best person I've met in a long time."
"Carter McKenna," Vitale said her name with respect, "She was my mother's best friend before she passed, and one of the few people in the family I truly respect."
Isabella froze.
Now she finally understood why Carter had been so kind to her.
"So this meeting…" Isabella guessed, "Was it your idea?"
Vitale nodded, "I needed someone to teach you, and she's the best person for it. In this world, my protection alone isn't enough. You need your own armor."
He cupped Isabella's face, "Carter will teach you how to forge that armor, and I…"
Vitale kissed her forehead, "I'll be your sword and shield."