Chapter 49

Chapter 49
Chloe's smile froze on her face.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean."

Matteo's sudden comment sent a chill down her spine. It felt like every mask she wore crumbled to dust under his scrutiny.

She instinctively put on her best wounded expression.

"Mr. Ferrari, you can't question my integrity based on rumors."

"Rumors?" Matteo cut her off with a derisive laugh. "Your disaster of an interview already proves you have zero qualifications as a journalist."

With elegant fingers, he tapped his phone screen. "Wilson, are all your employees this unprofessional?"

Before Chloe could process what was happening, her boss's angry voice blasted through the speaker.

"Chloe, you idiot! What the hell are you doing?"

She stared at the call timer on Matteo's screen, stunned. The truth hit her like a truck—Matteo had contacted Wilson before the interview even started. Her boss had heard their entire conversation.

When she looked up at Matteo, his earlier casual demeanor had vanished, replaced by a gaze cold enough to freeze hell.

"Ms. Chloe Vaughn, it seems even your boss thinks your performance was subpar."

Nearby, Avery couldn't hold back a laugh. Matteo was being his typical ruthless self. She'd predicted he wouldn't make things easy for Chloe, but watching him toy with her like this was something else.

"Mr. Ferrari, please, it's not like that!" Chloe's eyes welled with tears as she scrambled to explain. "I was just nervous, that's why I messed up!"

She finally understood Matteo's game. His uncooperative, arrogant behavior throughout the interview had been calculated to expose her inadequacy as a journalist—her poor adaptability and lack of preparation.

"Your presence is just so intimidating," Chloe said, gazing up at him with glistening eyes. "Give me another chance. I promise it won't happen again."

Before Matteo could respond, Wilson's voice thundered through the phone: "Chloe, shut up and get back to the office now!"

Wilson was livid. When Chloe had confidently claimed she could land Matteo's exclusive interview, he'd actually believed in her abilities. Now he realized she was making CQ Broadcasting Company look like a joke.

"Apologize to Mr. Ferrari immediately," Wilson growled through clenched teeth, "then pack up and come back."

"I—" Chloe started to defend herself, but knowing she was at fault, she reluctantly swallowed her words and turned to Matteo.

"Mr. Ferrari, I apologize for the unpleasant experience."

Damn it. She couldn't believe how quickly Matteo's attitude had changed. He'd agreed to the interview just days ago—that bitch Avery must have poisoned him against her!

Meanwhile, Wilson, terrified of offending Matteo, switched to a fawning tone: "I'll send our most professional journalist right away for a proper interview."

"Don't bother," Matteo coldly refused. "Furthermore, I'll be withdrawing my investment from your broadcasting company."

"What?!" Chloe and Wilson exclaimed in unison.

Neither could believe it—years of investment partnership, and Matteo was canceling everything on a whim!

"I made it clear previously that I don't do interviews," Matteo said with a cold smile, his voice dropping to a dangerous octave. "Since you all seem incapable of remembering my words, I see no reason to continue funding your station."

"No, Mr. Ferrari!" Wilson panicked. "There must have been a misunderstanding in our PR department. Chloe must have mistakenly believed you had agreed to an interview."

CQ Broadcasting Company's continued success depended entirely on Matteo's financial backing. Without it, they might not even make payroll next month.

"I promise this will never happen again!" Wilson pleaded.

Matteo's expression remained unchanged. "I have no interest in your promises."

By now, Chloe realized the gravity of the situation.

"Mr. Ferrari, I'm so sorry. This is entirely my fault!" If word got out that she'd angered Matteo and caused him to pull his investment, she'd be both humiliated and despised throughout the company.

"Blame me alone," she begged, genuine tears forming in her eyes. "Please don't punish the entire broadcasting company—everyone else is innocent."

Unfortunately for her, Matteo wasn't the merciful type.

"My decisions," he stated coldly, "are final."

Chloe felt her world collapsing. In her panic, she grabbed Avery's hand, desperation evident in every word: "Avery, please help me. I know you hate me, but we're still family. If I lose this job, Dad will be heartbroken."

Though it killed her pride to beg Avery, she had no other options. As Matteo's personal assistant, surely Avery had some influence!

But Avery's gaze turned even icier. "We are not family." She peeled Chloe's fingers away one by one. "And your employment status means nothing to me."

Beneath Avery's calm exterior raged a storm of emotions. Ever since Giovanni had brought Valentina home, the word "family" had lost all meaning for her. Her father cared only for power and status. To him, his own daughter was merely a tool, useful only when valuable. He'd allowed Valentina to torment her and Chloe to steal everything from her. Sometimes, just a few tears from Valentina or Chloe were enough for Giovanni to banish Avery without a second thought.

She'd learned her lesson. Family and blood ties were cheap—worth less than pocket change.

"Avery, how can you be so heartless?" Frustration flashed across Chloe's face as she struggled to contain her emotions. "I really need this job, and if Dad finds out you refused to help me, he'll be furious with you!"

Chloe knew Giovanni still held significance in Avery's life. Her words were both hint and threat. This tactic had always worked when they were children—Avery would back down and let Chloe have her way.

But not anymore. Avery's response dripped with sarcasm: "I think you've forgotten that I've cut ties with Giovanni years ago."

Matteo, keenly aware of Avery's shifting mood, intervened. "Chloe, my decision to withdraw funding isn't something anyone can change. This mess is entirely your creation."

His gaze turned razor-sharp. "You shouldn't expect others to clean up your mistakes."

But Chloe refused to give up. Tears glistening in her eyes, she said, "Mr. Ferrari, I just thought Avery might have more influence since you two are close. Your decision to pull funding seems so... harsh."

"You think that's harsh?" Matteo's voice took on a dangerous edge. "Then starting today, not only will I withdraw my current investment, but every business under my control will terminate all partnerships with your broadcasting company."

"No!" Wilson's voice from the phone sounded like he was about to collapse.

In the background, voices called out in alarm: "Wilson! Wilson, what's wrong? Is it your blood pressure?"

"Please don't..." Wilson's voice trembled as he clutched his chest, trying one last plea with Matteo.

But Matteo showed no mercy, ending the call without another word.

Chloe could barely stand. The room spun around her, and she had to lean against the wall to keep from crumpling to the floor. Her blood seemed to freeze from shock, heart hammering painfully against her ribs.

"Mr. Ferrari," she managed, hand pressed to her chest, "what did I do to deserve this?"

She couldn't understand—was this all because she'd offended him at the racetrack? Did that warrant such public humiliation?

Matteo's expression remained impassive as he looked down at her.

"Your mistake," he said coldly, "was messing with someone who belongs to me."