Chapter 104 Investment
She burst into laughter, her eyes carrying a hint of teasing. "Luca, you're not bullying Olivia, are you?"
Luca chuckled, his tone calm. "No, I'm just catching up with her."
Then, Luca dropped the subject and turned to say, "Clara, about the collaboration, I've already asked my assistant to prepare the contract. We can sign it anytime."
"So soon?" Clara was a bit surprised. "I thought we'd need to discuss it more."
"No need. I trust you," Luca said casually.
Clara smiled. "Alright, let's sign it now." She turned to Olivia. "Olivia, take a seat. You can witness this, too."
Olivia hesitated for a moment but eventually sat down.
She felt all kinds of things. She hadn't expected Luca to actually seal a deal with Clara. What about her investment now?
Did she really have to turn to Luca?
No way, she absolutely wouldn't do that!
After signing the contract, Clara smiled at Olivia. "Olivia, I've approved your investment application."
Olivia's head shot up, her face full of surprise. "Really?"
"Of course, it's true." Clara nodded. "Actually, making you spar with me yesterday and having you wait so long today were both tests for you."
"Tests?" Olivia was a bit puzzled.
"Yeah, I'm a businesswoman. I have to be cautious about investments," Clara said with a smile. "I wanted to see if you've got grit and if you're really determined to make your company succeed. And now, I can see you didn't disappoint me."
Olivia felt a rush of excitement and quickly said, "Thank you, Clara. I promise I won't let you down!"
"Good, I believe in you." Clara nodded and glanced at Luca. "You two chat. I've got something to take care of, so I'll excuse myself."
With that, she turned and left the meeting room.
Only Olivia and Luca remained in the room, and the atmosphere turned awkward again.
Olivia stood up. "Since everything's settled, I'll head out."
"Wait." Luca stopped her. "Even though your investment is approved, there's still a lot to coordinate later. How about we work together?"
"No need," Olivia rejected without a second thought. "I can handle it myself."
With that, she walked out of the meeting room without looking back.
Watching her determined figure, Luca's gaze darkened, but a faint smile curled on his lips.
Olivia, our story has just begun. You can't run away.
As Olivia left Clara's company, her heart was racing with excitement. She took out her phone and immediately called Emma. "Emma! I've got great news. Clara agreed to invest in me!"
Emma screamed on the other end of the line. "Really?! That's amazing! Liv, you're incredible!"
"Yeah, I didn't expect it to go so smoothly," Olivia said with a laugh.
"We have to celebrate!" Emma said excitedly. "Tonight, I'm taking you to a cool place to unwind!"
"Sure," Olivia replied, in a great mood and eager to relax.
After hanging up, Olivia hummed a tune as she drove to the kindergarten to pick up Leo.
That evening, she asked a neighbor to watch Leo so she could go out with Emma.
"Where are we going?" Olivia asked curiously.
"You'll see when we get there," Emma said mysteriously.
After driving for about half an hour, the car stopped in front of a fancy-looking bar.
Olivia was stunned. "We're going to a bar?"
"Yeah, it's a rare happy occasion. Of course, we're hitting a bar to relax," Emma said, pulling her inside. "Don't worry, this place is legit. No weirdos here."
Stepping into the bar, the flashing lights and loud music were a complete contrast to Olivia's usual environment.
She felt out of place and wanted to leave, but Emma held her back.
"Come on, we're already here. Let's have some fun for a bit," Emma said, leading her to a booth. She waved at a waiter. "Two cocktails, please. And send over two male models."
Olivia's eyes widened instantly. "Emma! What are you doing?"
"I'm just letting you enjoy yourself!" Emma said with a grin. "You've been raising a kid on your own for so long. It's been tough. Today, just let loose and don't think about anything."
"No way, I can't," Olivia waved her hands quickly.
She'd never done anything like this before. The thought of hanging out with strangers made her feel totally uncomfortable.
"Hey, don't be shy," Emma said, patting her shoulder. "Just think of it as a new experience. If it's not fun, we'll leave."
Just then, two tall, good-looking male models walked over with polite smiles. "Good evening, ladies."
Olivia's face turned bright red. She wished she could disappear into the floor.
"Hi there," Emma, on the other hand, was completely at ease and smiled. "Sit down, chat with us."
The two models sat across from them and started making small talk.
Olivia sat there, feeling super awkward, not saying a word, just sipping her drink with her head down.
Seeing her discomfort, Emma smiled at the models. "You guys can go for now. We'll chat on our own for a bit."
"Sure," the models nodded and left tactfully.
"Sorry, Liv. Did I freak you out?" Emma said, a bit embarrassed.
"A little," Olivia said with a small smile. "I don't usually come to places like this. I'm not used to it."
"I just wanted you to relax," Emma sighed. "You've got so much on your plate with Leo and starting a business. It's not easy. You need to live for yourself sometimes, too."
Olivia felt a warmth in her heart and held Emma's hand. "Thanks, Emma. I'm so lucky to have a friend like you."
"No need to thank me," Emma said with a laugh. "Come on, let's drink. No going home until we're buzzed!"
"Alright! No going home until we're buzzed!" Olivia raised her glass and clinked it with Emma's.
As the alcohol kicked in, Olivia started to loosen up. She chatted with Emma, venting about life's frustrations, and felt the stress melt away.
Meanwhile, Luca sat in his office, staring at photos his assistant had sent. In the pictures, Olivia and Emma were laughing and drinking at the bar, looking so happy.
Luca's face darkened instantly, his fingers tapping the desk unconsciously.
This woman—just after getting away from him, she's already at a bar drinking and laughing with other men?
Is she that eager to start a new life?
The thought irritated Luca. He grabbed his coat and headed out.
He was going to find her. There's no way he'd let her enjoy herself like this!
On the way to the bar, Luca's fingers kept rubbing the steering wheel, his mind filled with the image of Olivia's bright smile in the photos.
That smile stung his eyes, and his chest felt heavy, like it was stuffed with wet cotton, making it hard to breathe.
He couldn't understand how the woman who, five years ago, was too timid to even speak loudly in front of him, could now laugh so freely with other men.
Had she completely forgotten him over these five years?