Banks Corp was always a busy place. No one dared to slack under Luciano's supervision.
At that moment, a meeting was in progress in the conference hall.
Luciano sat at the head of the table, flanked by employees on both sides. The atmosphere was tense; everyone sat on edge, afraid of offending him. His oppressive aura only made things worse.
He was currently reviewing a report submitted by a supervisor from one of the subsidiary companies.
The supervisor whose report was in Luciano's hands rubbed his palms together nervously, silently praying there were no mistakes. He had stayed up all night to prepare it.
The moment Luciano's expression darkened into a frown, beads of sweat formed on the supervisor's forehead.
He was in trouble.
Luciano looked up. "Who prepared this?"
"I—I did, sir," the supervisor stammered.
"Haven't you graduated from college?" Luciano asked calmly.
But that calmness sent chills down everyone's spine.
The supervisor trembled, unable to respond.
Even the other employees sat up straighter.
They all knew what usually came next:
"Go settle your final salary."
"Redo it," Luciano said, pushing the report aside.
The supervisor froze for a moment before releasing a heavy sigh of relief.
Did he just… get another chance?
Everyone else was stunned.
Luciano didn't fire him.
"Th-thank you, sir," the supervisor said quickly, grabbing his report.
After several tense hours, the meeting finally came to an end.
Luciano was the first to leave the conference hall, followed closely by Berry.
When they reached Luciano's office, Berry placed a file on the table.
"This is the list of top entertainment companies in Milan."
Berry was nothing if not efficient. The file didn't just contain company names—it included detailed analyses of their strengths, weaknesses, and owners.
He knew Luciano well enough not to ask questions.
This wasn't about collaboration.
It was about acquisition.
Luciano flipped through the file, his eyes scanning each page until one name caught his attention.
Golden Entertainment Hub.
Not only were its signed artists promising, but the company also had strong influence in media.
Acquiring it would serve two purposes at once.
He flipped to the owner's profile.
A middle-aged man. Experienced. Clean public image.
Luciano didn't even bother remembering his name.
The man had managed the company for over thirty years.
But—
The company was heavily funded by his wife.
And he had a mistress.
And a son.
Luciano's lips curved slightly.
Without looking up, he said, "Find information on his mistress."
Berry didn't need further explanation.
If the wife discovered the affair, she would withdraw her funding.
And once that happened—
The company would be on the brink of collapse.
Easy to acquire.
Luciano wasn't called Lucifer for nothing.
"Understood, boss," Berry said, picking up the file.
Luciano returned to reviewing the documents on his desk.
A notification sound interrupted him.
He picked up his phone.
A message from Murphy.
"Let's meet tonight at our usual spot. Kane will be there."
Luciano glanced at it briefly before tossing the phone aside, clearly uninterested.
Meanwhile, Estrella arrived at her old apartment with Stella.
She used to share it with Stella before she left for France.
Now that Stella was back, returning here felt natural.
Stella looked around the apartment, her expression darkening.
"What did you do to this place?"
The house was a mess—clothes scattered everywhere, plates and cups left unwashed on the table.
Estrella shrugged. "I was going to clean it. I just… left in a hurry."
"You—"
Stella was about to explode, but Estrella gave her a pitiful look.
Stella exhaled sharply. "Let's just clean."
And just like that, after hours on a flight, Stella found herself cleaning up Estrella's mess.
Meanwhile, the culprit leaned against the fridge, casually sipping juice.
Stella turned and saw her.
"Is that what I told you to do?!"
Estrella blinked innocently. "What now?"
Still sipping.
Stella's eye twitched.
"Clean!"
Estrella immediately grabbed a mop.
"You didn't have to shout," she muttered, lazily cleaning one spot.
Stella took a deep breath, trying not to lose her mind.
After hours of cleaning, the apartment was finally spotless.
"I'm so tired," Estrella said, collapsing onto the couch.
"You have the nerve to say that?" Stella snapped. "What did you even do?"
They both went quiet.
Then suddenly—
Stella sat up.
"You still haven't told me how you ended up with Luciano Banks right after your breakup."
She stared at Estrella expectantly.
Estrella's expression dimmed.
Memories of that horrible week resurfaced.
"I don't want to talk about it," she said softly.
Stella studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"You don't have to."
She didn't push further.
As long as Estrella was okay, that was enough.
Then she clapped her hands lightly.
"Let's go out for a drink."
"You just got back," Estrella said. "Don't you need rest?"
Stella rolled her eyes. "After all the cleaning you made me do? Please."
She grabbed her bag.
"Let's go."