Chapter 64: Heir of our family
"Sir, did something happen between you and Sara? She seems to avoid coming to your office and requested me to bring these files to you for your signatures," Fabio said as he placed a stack of folders on the polished mahogany desk.
Luca leaned back in his leather chair, a muscle twitching in his jaw. "She’s upset with me," Luca admitted simply, already leaning forward to pick up his pen and scan the first page, burying himself in work.
"Diego is here," Fabio then informed him, sensing the conversation had ended.
"Let him in," Luca instructed, his eyes not leaving the document. Fabio nodded and quickly left.
After a few seconds, Diego strolled into the luxurious office, folding a file.
"Luca, I have been waiting for you the entire day yesterday," Diego said, dropping the report onto the desk with a sound that was slightly too loud, his manner overly familiar for a subordinate.
Luca paused, the pen hovering over the signature line. He looked up, his expression instantly cold, the casual warmth he might show a friend replaced by the hard authority of his title. "You know that you’re standing before the CEO of Augustino Group. Address me properly, Diego," he commanded.
Diego stopped moving. He chuckled, and smiled wryly.
"I no longer am obliged to you. I’ve resigned from the Falcone Industries," Diego stated, his voice ringing with a new confidence and pride.
"Did I accept your resignation?" Luca asked. He didn’t want this confrontation.
"My father did," Diego replied, an arrogant smirk touching his lips as he tucked one hand casually into the pocket of his expensive trousers. "He is declaring me the heir of the Falcone Family."
Luca finally met his gaze, his eyes narrowing. He was clearly annoyed by the disrespectful attitude Diego was flaunting.
"You might have saved Sara from getting the right punishment, but truth can’t be hidden forever, Luca," Diego continued, stepping closer to the desk. "My dear stepsister did fool everyone in the company. She misled us all. When the truth about her deception will be out, and it will be, you may want to divorce her right away. It’ll be a scandal."
Diego leaned his palm on the desk, his face laced with malice. "So, why don’t you consider leaving Sara already? You won’t want to ruin your reputation by being tied to a fraud." He offered the ’advice’ as if it were a genuine friendly suggestion, clearly hoping Luca would be swayed by the threat to his standing.
"Why do you think I saved Sara?" Luca countered. He tossed aside the files he’d been signing, giving Diego his full, dangerous attention.
"You should say that I bought Falcone Industries to save it, to save the entire foundation your family built. Everyone knows what you’ve done to the company in the past."
Luca leaned back slightly, a subtle shift that somehow made his presence more menacing. "I sincerely hope that after being declared the heir, you won’t immediately fall into a big scandal that bankrupts your new position. I’m doing the investigation, Diego. And the moment your name appears in the frauds you committed against Falcone, I will make sure to ruin you completely."
His words were not just a threat; they were a challenge thrown at him.
Luca then picked up the heavy report Diego had brought. "Make sure you don’t get caught in anything bad, Diego. Consider this your only warning. I’ll not spare you if you do."
The finality of the threat was enough to send a genuine fear through Diego. He felt his carefully constructed smile falter, but he quickly masked it, refusing to let the fear show on his face as he stared down the powerful CEO.
"Leave," Luca said sternly.
Diego’s jaw tightened, and he balled his fists for a moment behind his back before turning and walking out of the office, feeling bitter.
As he was about to head to the elevator, his eyes fell upon Sara, who had just entered a cabin situated right next door to Luca’s main office. A vindictive smirk spread across Diego’s face. He changed course and headed straight for her open door.
Sara was almost going to sit down when the sound of footsteps brought her attention up.
"So, this is your new office space," Diego’s voice reached her ears, dripping with sarcasm.
She turned to see her stepbrother picking up the small, engraved wooden block from the desk. He spun it between his fingers, a soundless, mocking laugh already playing on his face.
"Did you ever imagine working as someone’s secretary?" he continued in condescending tone. "You have indeed lost your dignity. Wearing this name tag, ’Secretary of Augustino Group’, does suit you, though. I think you were always made for this."
He tossed the block to the desk, relishing her discomfort. "Oh, and speaking of better things. Did Dad invite you for tonight’s special event? I’m being declared as the heir of our family, sister," Diego said with a wide, smug grin. "Oops! Did I spoil the surprise?" He mockingly pressed his fingers to his lips.
"Are you jealous?" he pressed. "You always dreamt of inheriting everything, didn’t you? You always made me feel low, Sara. And look where you are today." Diego’s gaze raked over her with unconcealed triumph.
"I don’t want to speak with you," Sara said. She didn’t raise her eyes to meet his, concentrating instead on the desk, hoping her silence would force him to leave.
"Why? Are you ashamed of yourself?" Diego pressed, sensing he was close to breaking her calm. He walked closer. "Dad trusted you the most. You betrayed him. Is that why you’re unable to answer me back?"
Sara sighed, rubbing the temple of her forehead with two fingers.
"Well, at least your future is secured through Luca," Diego stated. "He’s the richest man in Europe. So, you don’t have to beg for money. I hoped you would have, though." He paused for a moment.
"How does it feel to lick the shoes of Luca? Remember what you told me whenever I made mistakes that it’s my mother’s fault for not teaching me? Turns out, you also learned the art of betrayal and seducing men."
Sara’s control snapped.
She threw a slap at him with all her might..
Diego’s eyes widened in shock, the smug triumph instantly wiped from his face. He recovered quickly and he raised his hand, ready to hurt her.
Just then, a powerful hand held his wrist, twisting it before slamming him straight to the wall on left.
"Luca!" Sara shouted.
"Dare to say what you were saying to my wife!" Luca barked in an intimidating tone.