Chapter 76
The negotiations continued, but Camilla had clearly toned down her behavior.
She no longer tried to touch or tease Isabella, only occasionally glancing at her with an appraising look.
That look wasn't like she was sizing up a potential rival; it was more like she was staring at a dangerous weapon.
To Camilla, Isabella wasn't Vitale's weakness but rather the switch to that red-haired devil.
If handled right, she could keep him in human form.
If handled wrong, she'd unleash a monster even hell couldn't contain.
"Women are trouble, aren't they?" Blake said with a laugh, shaking his head. His tone carried the weariness of someone who'd been through it all. "Beautiful trouble, dangerous trouble, the kind of trouble that makes you willingly jump into the fire."
Vitale's lips curled slightly as his fingers brushed the back of Isabella's neck. "Luckily, I'm fine with it."
Blake burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the empty space of the penthouse. "I get what you mean."
He turned to Isabella, his gaze suddenly sharpening. "Alright, dear accountant lady. Let's talk about that racetrack. I'm offering ten million dollars."
Isabella rolled her eyes.
It was a small gesture, but everyone at the table noticed.
Blake's bodyguards moved their hands to their waists, and Blake himself raised an eyebrow. The atmosphere at the table froze instantly.
"Beautiful," Blake said, raising his hands with a mix of warning and curiosity in his tone, "I'd like an explanation. That was pretty rude."
Isabella took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay professional. "Okay, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. But Mr. Rossi…"
She looked straight into his eyes. "Are you taking us for fools? That racetrack connects to Solstice's biggest cargo port. The annual maintenance cost alone is over five million dollars. Last year's event revenue was eighteen million, not to mention the added value from nearby hotels, restaurants, and sponsors. You're offering ten million for a track that makes more than that in a year? Why would we sign such a deal?"
Blake's face darkened.
He slowly turned to Vitale, waiting for an explanation.
Or rather, waiting for Vitale to put this disrespectful woman in her place.
"She's not in charge of this project," Vitale said curtly, his fingers pressing lightly on the back of Isabella's neck, signaling her to be quiet.
But Isabella couldn't stay silent. "Vitale, are you crazy? I handled all the financial analysis, tax documents, and expansion plans for that racetrack! I know its value better than anyone."
"Isabella." Vitale's voice was soft, but the warning in it was sharp.
His fingers tightened on her neck, the pressure just enough to cause pain without really hurting her.
Isabella bit her lip and finally chose to stay quiet.
She felt Vitale's hand linger on her neck for a few seconds before it loosened, transitioning into a gentle massage.
It felt like an apology, or maybe a way to calm her down.
"One hundred million dollars," Vitale said, turning back to Blake as if the little interruption never happened. "Cash payment, handover completed within three months. As an extra condition, you can use my construction team and permits for the new Emberlyn racetrack free of charge for a year."
Blake sipped his whiskey and shook his head. "Twenty million dollars, plus permanent access to Emberlyn."
"Eighty million dollars," Vitale leaned forward. "You get ownership of the Seraphim racetrack within a month, plus priority contracting rights for the new Emberlyn track construction. That's my final offer."
Blake set down his glass, his fingers tapping on the table.
He suddenly smiled, a probing edge to it. "Does Costa really scare you that much? So much that you're selling your most profitable asset to raise cash?"
Isabella felt Vitale's fingers tighten again.
She wanted to speak, to argue, to tell Blake that Vitale wasn't afraid of anyone.
But she remembered the earlier warning.
Isabella stayed silent, only reaching out to lightly cover Vitale's hand on her neck.
Vitale felt her touch, and the pressure of his fingers eased.
He turned to Blake, his voice calm as if discussing the weather. "Not scared. He makes me angry, the kind of anger you can't put into words."
Vitale paused, searching for the right comparison. "It's like someone stole your money to gamble, lost it all, and now the debt collector only comes after you. Costa took my money, and now his enemies are pointing their spears at me. This isn't fear. It's… an insult."
Blake's smile faded.
Isabella noticed his fingers clench on his knee, his Adam's apple bobbing.
Clearly, Vitale had unintentionally hit a nerve.
Maybe Blake had been through something similar. Maybe Costa had done the same to him.
After a long silence, Blake finally nodded. "Fine. Eighty million dollars, plus priority rights to Emberlyn. But I want an invitation too."
"What invitation?"
"The auction in Avalonia next month," Blake said. "I know you have a private invite. I want to take Camilla. She wants to meet some collectors."
Vitale stared at him for a few seconds, then slowly stood up and extended his hand. "Deal."
Blake stood and shook his hand.
But the moment their palms met, Vitale suddenly pulled him closer, whispering something in Eldoria's language by his ear.
Isabella couldn't catch everything, but she picked up one key phrase.
"My woman, you can't touch."
Blake's face turned ugly.
He tried to pull his hand back, but Vitale gripped tighter.
Finally, Blake sighed and said in English, "Alright, deal. I'll tell everyone Isabella is yours. Happy now?"
Only then did Vitale let go, a businesslike smile returning to his face. "Very happy."
By dinnertime, the atmosphere had become subtly lighter.
The long table was filled with traditional Lumaria dishes.
Octopus salad, grilled swordfish, stewed rabbit, and heaps of pasta and bread.
The wine glowed deep red under the candlelight.
Isabella sat beside Vitale, trying to join the conversation, but she soon realized she couldn't get a word in.
The men started discussing details in Eldoria's language.
Port taxes, construction materials, and international shipping terms.
The rapid syllables felt like a wall, shutting her out.
Isabella's irritation built up bit by bit.
Whenever she tried to ask something, Vitale would give a quick explanation or two before switching back to Eldoria's language.
She felt like a decoration.
Pretty, quiet, but essentially unnecessary.
It wasn't until Vitale stepped away to take a call that Isabella's irritation turned into unease.
She walked to the poolside, pretending to admire the night view while actually scanning her surroundings.
The positions of the bodyguards, the layout of the exits, and potential danger spots.
Having spent so much time with Vitale, she'd learned to see the world through his eyes.
"Henley," she called softly. The silent bodyguard emerged from the shadows. "What's the real purpose of this meeting? It's not just about selling a racetrack, is it?"
Henley shrugged, his face expressionless. "I'm just a bodyguard, Ms. Martinez. I don't know that much."
"He told you to protect me, not to lie to me," Isabella lowered her voice. "Tell me, what is Vitale planning?"
"Isabella."
Vitale's voice came from behind her.
He'd ended his call, his face showing an expression Isabella couldn't read.
A mix of exhaustion, determination, and a vulnerability she'd never seen before.
"Henley is a bodyguard," Vitale said, walking to her side and naturally wrapping an arm around her waist. "He doesn't know the details of business negotiations."
Isabella leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his chest. "He's here to keep you safe. I think we should leave. This place makes me uneasy."
Vitale raised an eyebrow and glanced at Henley.
The bodyguard captain raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, I'll get the car ready. I'll wait for you downstairs."
As he turned toward the elevator, he made a "take care" gesture to Isabella.
"I'm coming with you," Isabella said. She didn't want Vitale to stay alone in this dangerous atmosphere.
But after just two steps, Vitale grabbed her wrist.
His grip wasn't rough as he pulled Isabella toward the only suite on the penthouse floor.
It was a lounge Blake had prepared for VIPs.
"Vitale, wait—"
The door closed behind them.