Chapter 20
Vitale ultimately didn't shoot Chris because he wanted better entertainment.
He didn't want his toy to die just like that.
When Torian was called in, he thought he was there to collect Chris's body, but Vitale told him to untie the man from the cross and throw him out.
"Mr. Luca, this doesn't seem right."
Vitale sat on the stool, his long legs swinging, giving him a cold glance.
Torian immediately lowered his head to explain: "No, Mr. Luca, I mean why not just kill him? This kind of person, even God wouldn't forgive."
"God doesn't care if I kill people, so just throw him out." Vitale chuckled lightly, tossing the whip casually onto the table.
Torian seemed to understand something. He went forward to take Chris down, then threw him out.
Chris was covered in blood, not daring to put on clothes because the wounds would stick to the fabric and hurt even more.
Damn it, Isabella. It was all that bitch Isabella's fault. She was the one who made him end up like this.
He swore to God that once he recovered, he would definitely teach Isabella a lesson.
Chris slowly put on his shoes. He heard Vitale walking out behind him and fled backward like a startled rabbit, his leather shoes slipping on the smooth marble floor.
He hadn't even taken three steps when two gunshots tore through the night's silence.
Chris let out an inhuman scream as blood gushed from both legs, appearing a strange dark red in the moonlight.
He collapsed in a pool of blood, his body convulsing uncontrollably, and soon passed out from the intense pain.
Vitale expressionlessly handed the still-smoking pistol to Torian and took the white towel from a servant, carefully wiping the blood splattered on the back of his hand.
"Damn it," he cursed quietly, "she hates the smell of blood the most."
A rare trace of unease flickered through those usually calm blue eyes. "Good thing she's not here, or she'd definitely faint from fright."
Vitale turned to Amboni, who had been standing quietly in the shadows: "Find a suitable secretary as soon as possible. I need someone to control me, otherwise..."
His gaze swept over the unconscious Chris on the ground, revealing a cruel smile: "I'll continue to lose control."
Amboni bowed his head: "Yes, Mr. Luca, I'll do my best."
He really didn't understand what kind of game Vitale and Isabella were playing. Something that could be solved with a phone call, yet they had to trouble everyone.
After wiping, Vitale threw the now blood-stained white towel onto the unconscious Chris's face.
Then he expressionlessly stepped on and broke Chris's right wrist before slowly walking away.
Chris wailed in pain, but after just a few sounds, he passed out again.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the city in an office building, Isabella stood at the company entrance holding a cardboard box, unable to believe she had been fired.
"Your sales performance is the best," the pot-bellied manager said, not daring to look her in the eye, "but this is headquarters' decision."
"Oh God, this is terrible news. You must be lying. You're holding a grudge because I caught you with Sarah." Isabella said angrily.
She should have taken photos of them having sex and posted them online, so everyone could see how pathetic a man who finishes in three minutes looks.
The manager was furious, raising both hands and gesturing in displeasure: "Don't make things up, okay? I could sue you, Isabella."
"Now get out of my sight before I throw up last night's chocolate sauce, okay? That would be very rude."
With that, he walked into the office and slammed the door in Isabella's face.
Isabella kicked the door in frustration and looked down at the box in her hands.
The box contained all her belongings from one month at the company.
A cup, a succulent plant, and an envelope with this month's salary.
The manager was probably really afraid she'd tell everyone about his affair with Sarah, because he actually gave her three extra months' pay.
"I want to see the CEO!" Isabella tried to rush into the office. She still didn't want to give up.
This place made her feel comfortable. At least it kept her busy enough to temporarily forget the effect a certain someone had on her.
"Isabella!"
Aria Clark was Isabella's only friend at this company, running toward her with her light red short hair bouncing.
Sunlight danced on the tips of her hair through the corridor's glass windows.
"Listen, my friend," Aria excitedly pulled her into a corner, "I have huge news! Do you know Tyson Group?"
Isabella's heartbeat skipped.
Tyson Group, the business empire everyone in Lumaria knew about—could it be related to Vitale?
Aria didn't wait for her answer before continuing: "They're publicly recruiting for a CEO assistant! We should try for it. I'm so sick of this place!"
Isabella didn't answer immediately. Her thoughts had already drifted far away.
During these days away from Vitale, every night was especially hard for Isabella.
His touch seemed still branded on her skin. In her dreams, those blush-inducing scenes always appeared.
Isabella would even wake up in the middle of the night to find herself wet below.
This wasn't being loose—it was just her body's most honest longing for Vitale.
"Is your information reliable?" Isabella forced herself to focus. "What if we don't have recommendation letters?"
Aria pulled out two elegant recommendation forms like magic: "Already prepared! Let's try, friend!"
The gold-embossed emblem on the recommendation form made Isabella's breath catch.
She had seen this symbol on Vitale's cufflinks.
So it really was related to Vitale?
She had finally gotten away—was she going back to his side now?
If she went back, would he take her again?
Oh God, her feelings were so complicated. She both looked forward to seeing him and being pinned beneath him, yet feared going back to his side and losing her freedom.
"The secretary job looks easy," Aria said, not noticing Isabella's distraction, pointing at the job posting. "But the salary is the highest in the industry. Look, this is an interview feature with CEO Amboni."
Amboni?
Isabella took the magazine. The man on the cover had a typical Lumarian face, his hair combed perfectly, sharp eyes staring directly at the camera through his glasses.
"Handsome, right?" Aria said dreamily. "Think about it—we can not only leave this crappy company but also work for such a charming boss! Please, in God's name, say yes!"
Isabella took a sip of coffee, the rich bitterness spreading across her tongue.
She looked at Aria's expectant eyes, then thought of Vitale's gentle expression in the moonlight.
It wasn't him. Why did she feel so disappointed? Like drinking coffee without sugar—it made her miserable.
"Okay," she finally nodded. "Let's try."
"Awesome!" Aria cheered, pulling Isabella's hand and spinning in circles, her red hair tracing happy arcs in the sunlight. "We have to celebrate tonight! I know this great little bar. Their wine tastes like heaven."
Isabella forced a smile, but her gaze fell back on the familiar emblem on the recommendation form.
Fate seemed to be pulling her back into Vitale's world, and this time, she wasn't sure if she could escape unscathed.
Could Amboni be connected to him?
At the other end of the city, Vitale stood before floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the city below.
Torian quietly entered the room:
"Mr. Luca, Amboni has arranged the interviews. Also, Chris was sent to the hospital. The doctor says his legs can't be saved."
Vitale didn't turn around, his fingertips gently caressing the family emblem on his cufflinks.
"Ready to welcome our new secretary?" A meaningful smile curved his lips. "I hope she likes this surprise."