Chapter 54 Interested in His Wife
Everyone took their seats, and the atmosphere eased up a bit.
Just then, Windy suddenly let out a soft laugh, her tone gentle. "Mr. Gerald, your attitude toward Olivia is really something special."
Olivia frowned slightly.
Windy's smile grew brighter. "You two are so close. Olivia even remembers what coffee you drank back in college."
She was clearly hinting that there was something ambiguous between Melo and Olivia. Everyone caught on to her implication right away and turned their eyes to Luca.
Luca's face darkened, but he didn't say a word.
Olivia picked up on Windy's meaning. Her gaze turned cold, and her voice carried a subtle edge of authority. "Windy, as the CEO's secretary, your role in such an important business setting is to assist Luca, not to make random guesses about other people's relationships. That's very unprofessional."
Called out by Olivia in front of everyone, Windy's face fell. She was frustrated, but when she noticed Luca's dark expression, she felt a little vindicated. At least Luca didn't seem happy about whatever was going on between Olivia and Melo either.
But Luca was actually thinking about something else. Olivia was so quick to defend her relationship with Melo, even snapping back at his secretary in a setting like this!
His anger flared up even more. It suddenly hit him that Olivia no longer got jealous or upset over Windy. Did that mean she didn't care about him at all?
Seeing that Luca wasn't going to speak up, a female colleague who was close to Windy couldn't hold back. "Olivia, Windy is new to the job. She's still learning, and even Luca is willing to give her time to improve. You don't have to be so harsh on her. Besides, her work performance isn't something a project manager like you should be commenting on."
Olivia replied calmly, "I wouldn't say anything about Windy's work, as long as she doesn't comment on my personal matters."
The colleague was taken aback, not happy about being countered like that. She forced a smile. "Looks like you've got a big problem with Windy. Well, I guess it makes sense. She took over your old role as the CEO's secretary and handled your previous tasks. It's normal for you to feel upset."
Olivia smirked coldly. "Yeah, I'm not happy as a project manager to have to work with someone so incompetent."
The meeting room went quiet for a couple of seconds. No one expected Olivia to be so sharp with her words.
Everyone stayed silent, waiting to see if Luca would side with Olivia or scold the female colleague.
But Luca remained quiet.
He wasn't even listening to what they were saying. His mind was elsewhere.
Olivia had been so calm lately, no longer getting mad at him over Windy. Did that mean she had feelings for someone else?
Was it this Melo guy, or Jason from the hospital?
Olivia's attitude toward them was way better than how she treated him.
Windy secretly watched Luca's reaction. Seeing him stay silent, she assumed he didn't care if Olivia was being mocked. She quickly winked at the colleague, signaling her to keep going.
Encouraged, the colleague's tone became even ruder as she spoke to Olivia. "Olivia, Windy is the secretary. It's normal for her to have a lot of contact with Luca. You don't need to be so petty..."
"Get out," Olivia cut her off, her voice icy. "This is a high-level business meeting, not a place for gossip or spreading rumors about others. Leave now!"
"You!" The colleague stood up in anger, impulsively reaching for the coffee cup in front of her.
"You dare touch Olivia and see what happens?"
A cold, harsh voice suddenly rang out.
The colleague froze.
Luca stood up, his eyes flashing with menace and impatience. "You're fired. Pack your things and leave immediately."
The colleague was stunned, panic filling her eyes. "Fired? Boss, I just said a few words. Why are you firing me?"
Even Windy hadn't expected Luca to fire someone right in front of their business partners, all for Olivia! He didn't seem to care if his actions would be criticized.
Windy felt a mix of jealousy and resentment. She quickly tugged at Luca's sleeve, softly pleading, "Luca, she didn't do anything wrong. She just said a few unkind words. Give her a chance..."
"No chance. We don't need idiots like this ruining important occasions," Luca cut her off coldly, not even glancing at her. He turned to the assistant by the door and ordered, "Take her to process her termination!"
"Luca, please don't fire me! I can't lose this job!" The colleague started to panic and struggle.
She was full of regret now. Windy had kept saying she was so important to Luca, that she was practically going to marry him. Now she realized that wasn't true at all! The only person Luca cared about was Olivia! If she had known, she wouldn't have been so rude to Olivia!
The colleague kept apologizing, but no matter what she said, Luca didn't budge.
The assistant dragged her away.
Only after she disappeared from the doorway did Olivia let out a slow breath.
But she didn't think Luca was protecting her.
In front of Melo and several company staff, an ordinary receptionist and the CEO's secretary had disrespected her, a project manager. That looked bad for the company's image.
For the sake of company rules, Luca would have done the same.
"Have some water. Don't get upset," Melo said, pushing a glass of water toward Olivia with a gentle smile.
Luca watched their interaction, finding Melo's glass of water to Olivia particularly annoying.
He nodded at Melo. "Mr. Gerald, about the partnership, I think we need to talk privately. Please."
Luca stepped aside, gesturing for him to follow.
Melo raised an eyebrow, stood up, and glanced at Olivia.
Olivia figured that whatever Luca wanted to say to Melo, it wouldn't lead to any conflict, so she didn't say anything.
Melo then smiled and agreed, "Sure."
The two left the room.
The few people remaining in the meeting room didn't dare speak, feeling the atmosphere was unbearable.
Windy, completely ignored by Luca, clenched her fists in embarrassment and stood silently to the side.
Out in the hallway, Melo and Luca walked to the window at the end.
No one else was around. Luca stopped, hands in his pockets.
"Mr. Gerald," he said, his gaze icy. "Do you have some kind of interest in my wife?"
Melo chuckled, his eyes provocative. "Luca, everyone in the industry is saying you two are getting a divorce. If you're asking whether I have feelings for an old classmate I once had a crush on..." He smiled and shrugged. "As a man, I'm sure you know exactly what I'm thinking."
"Melo!" A sense of crisis surged in Luca, and he immediately warned, "Stay away from her!"
"Don't worry. I won't do anything to make her uncomfortable right now, and I'll keep my distance," Melo said, his expression turning serious. "I'll wait until your divorce is final before I approach her. I'm a patient man."
Without waiting for Luca to respond, he turned and headed back to the meeting room.
Luca stood in the hallway, staring at Melo's back, feeling a wave of irritation.
Was there no other woman in the world for these men? Why were both Melo and Jason interested in his wife?
Luca's face was cold as he steadied his breathing before returning to the meeting room.
No one said anything to ruin the mood after that. Everyone ate quietly.
But Melo kept whispering to Olivia and interacting with her closely from time to time, not caring about anyone else's stares.
Luca, constrained by the partnership and being in a public setting, could only grit his teeth and hold back his frustration.
Once the partnership details were finalized, the meal came to an end.
The other staff left first.
As Olivia stood up, preparing to see Melo and his assistant off, a strong, firm arm suddenly wrapped around her waist.