CHAPTER 59: – ALL WASTED EFFORT! –

The door slammed behind Savannah, who’d left, rattling heavily.

Amadeo sat back and studied Viviana. "You’re not the girl I raised. You have changed. Unrecognizable."

"Is that so?" Viviana said evenly. "You made me this way, Pa. You orchestrated me into this. It was all you. I mean, how does a girl who doesn’t even know her favorite meal become this... without you?"

Amadeo narrowed his eyes.

He looked away from her, smiled a bit, and slowly nodded his head. "Never thought I’d end up making an error with you. Then again, you were difficult. Mistakes were bound to happen. But it can be corrected. That reminds me–" He stroked his tumbled chin. "–Aren’t you a little too audacious showing up here after the stunt you pulled?"

"You don’t have to worry." Viviana’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I don’t plan to linger."

She set a folder on the table.

He lifted a brow. "What’s this?"

"Processed documents. I’m changing the company name. But I also need your signature for this process to be done. So, if it’s not too much trouble, please sign, Pa."

Amadeo lowered his eyes to the file. He opened it and read through it, a frown emerging on his face. "VIVACE? That’s the new name?"

"Yes."

His jaw clenched instantly. He tossed the papers on the desk. "What exactly do you think you’re doing, Viviana?"

"Meaning what?"

He shot to his feet. "You are Viviana Di-grassi, the only heiress of this family! Why are you trying to disgrace me like this?"

"Pa–"

"I built you into the woman you are. I made you the Lady Di-grassi! I perfected you because this company would be yours. You would lead the Di-grassi name. But after years of my hard work, polishing a stubborn girl like you into what I hoped for, you’re trampling on it like it’s nothing?"

Viviana’s lashes lowered halfway. She was calm, even as she said, "I am not your puppet."

"I am your father!"

"And I am your daughter, not your doll!" Her pupils shrank, her stare harder and sharper. "I make my own decisions, including something as small as what kind of coffee I want. You don’t speak for me. You don’t decide for me. Not anymore. You do not have any right to treat me like a toy. I refuse to let you have such control over me again. I am the Lady Di-grassi, a woman who has earned her place. A woman who brought this company to what it is."

Amadeo’s eye twitched. "You are the CEO of this company–"

"The one you reduced to the level of an intern?"

"I was setting you straight!"

"No, you weren’t." A stillness settled over Viviana’s body. "I did nothing wrong. The thing is, you thought that method would work on me again. I mean, take things away from me and there you’ll have me, crawling back to you like a dog. I worked harder than anyone in this company to earn that CEO seat, and yet you took it away like it was nothing. You erased every day and night I broke myself for you like some machine. I did it all to impress you. To make you see me, not as a puppet to control, but as a daughter you’re proud of."

She smiled bitterly, sighing. "It took me a while, Pa, but I finally understood: I could never be a daughter to you. You’ll never look at me with pride. You’ll never care for me. And most of all, you will never love me. So why should I keep strangling myself for you?"

"Pride? Love?"

Amadeo scoffed.

"You wanted me to be proud of you?" He shook his head as he looked her up and down. "I didn’t raise you to be this weak. I raised you to beat every man in this field, in this company, and you did. I didn’t have a son and I didn’t care. Do you know why?"

His eyes narrowed sharply on her as his lips curved. He tapped his temple.

"That is because what mattered was the brain. And yours was perfect. You completely took after me. You excelled at anything you touched. I wanted you above everyone, even me. I wanted you to be better than me. And all you care about is for me to be proud of you? What a joke."

He scoffed.

"What are you? A child? Get up on your feet and make use of your talent. You have the potential to overrun even Bastiani, I know you can." He grabbed one of his fountain pens and signed the papers. Then he strode around his desk to approach her.

Amadeo shoved the folder into her hands and grabbed her chin. "You want to build this company? Fine. I won’t stop you. But you will keep working for me here. You’re right when you said Vizera Luxe will fall without you. It needs you."

Viviana’s face hardened. "I refuse–"

"You can’t refuse. You are my greatest asset. I polished you and I won’t let you go. Not yet. I didn’t approve that resignation, so you’re still CEO, whether you like it or not. Do whatever you want. Marry a good-for-nothing if you please. I don’t care anymore. You won this one. But you’re not leaving this company. No one else is worthy of that position. Do you understand me?"

Viviana’s eyes stayed flat and cold. She smacked his hand off, adjusted her waistcoat, and took a steady breath. "Pa, I don’t work for you anymore. This company is all yours. Run it yourself or have your stepdaughter help you. I’m sure your mistress will be thrilled."

She turned for the door, her heels sharp on the floor.

"She’s stupid," Amadeo said as his hands went imposingly behind his back. "Useless. Capable of nothing. You are what this company needs."

"Flattering," she answered dryly.

"What do you want?" he asked quickly before she could leave. "Your apartment at Maison de Vesta? Money? How much? I’ll give it to you, and that includes unfreezing your account. Just come back to this company, Viviana."

Viviana stared at the door for a breath of time. She turned with a smile. "The last time I was here, I told you I didn’t need your money or the apartment. I’ll build what I want from where I am. I don’t need you. Keep the money and mine. All of it."

"Viviana!" Amadeo snapped. "I will no longer demand you divorce him. Isn’t that good enough?"

She almost chuckled. "Demand? Did I ever make you think I’d divorce my husband?" Her hand closed on the door handle.

"Your husband and yet you don’t even have his name," he scoffed. "Is this marriage even real? If it is, why are you still a Di-grassi? Is it all a tantrum? A facade?"

Viviana’s eyes flickered briefly, but her face stayed perfectly expressionless.

"Believe whatever you please," she said. "My personal life isn’t your business."

"If you leave this company, I will sue the hell out of you. Don’t test me, Viviana," he spat immediately, now having lost his cool.

Viviana didn’t respond, leaving and slamming the door.

Amadeo’s face twitched.

He felt the last straw snap. Lighting up a cigarette, he inhaled and blew out a heavy cloud.

"Wasted effort," he muttered. "All wasted effort!"