CHAPTER 183: CHAPTER 183

At that moment, upon hearing what Oliver just said, Lisa’s tone on the phone grew steadier, filled with assurance. She immediately acknowledged, "Yes, sir. No problem at all. I’ll arrange the figures, double-check every detail, and send them directly to you the moment I’m done." Her words carried that air of precision that Oliver trusted her for, and he didn’t doubt for a second that she would deliver exactly what he asked for.

Then Oliver leaned back slightly, but just before he could end the call, a thought struck him. "Oh..before I forget," he said in a firm but casual tone, "remember, EverythingLuxury will be hosting their grand event tomorrow. You know what I told you about it. Make sure every single thing is prepared and arranged properly. Please, Lisa, don’t make any mistake about this."

Immediately Lisa straightened herself where she stood, her voice confident and respectful. "Of course, sir. I understand completely. There won’t be any mistake. I’ve personally overseen all the arrangements myself. From the venue decoration to the guest lists, every detail is under control. As for the diamond invitation you entrusted me to deliver to Miss Cora, that has already been taken care of. Just as you requested, she has it, and everything is moving exactly as you wanted it to."

Then there was a brief silence on the line, the kind of pause that conveyed Oliver’s satisfaction more than words could. Then, with a faint but approving tone, he simply said, "Good."

At that moment, the call with Lisa ended, and Oliver slowly leaned back into his chair, his expression unreadable. The silence in his room was heavy, and though everything seemed under control on the surface, deep down he knew the truth what he was doing was dangerous, almost reckless, and sooner or later, it would backfire. He had built this entire façade carefully, balancing two worlds: the image of the dependable friend that Cora trusted, and the hidden life of the man deeply tied to shadows and blood.

Then Oliver started rubbing his temples, his thoughts storming. The only way his secret would not consume him was if he kept Cora completely in the dark. But keeping her in the dark was just as wrong, perhaps even cruel.

Immediately his chest tightened when he imagined her reaction if she ever discovered who he truly was not just Oliver, her loyal companion, but Oliver, bound by blood to the biggest Mafia family in the world, a name so feared and respected that it carried weight even outside national borders. The thought alone would shake her to the core.

The memory of what he did at her house flashed in his mind the day he killed those men to protect her. The way their bodies fell, the cold stillness that followed, and the look in Cora’s eyes when she began to suspect there was more to him than he revealed. He knew she wasn’t foolish; she must have noticed his efficiency, his ruthlessness. That wasn’t the act of a man untrained it was the instinct of someone who had lived in violence, someone molded by it. And still, he had no regrets. He would do it again, without hesitation, because it had been to save her.

But saving her came with its own complications. She would want answers eventually, and he wasn’t ready to give them. Not yet. The truth about his life, his foster father, the empire he was entangled with, these weren’t truths that could be delivered casually.

Then his gaze shifted toward the files on his desk, the reminders of how much influence he carried under names Cora didn’t even know were tied to him. Everything luxury the empire she admired and wanted to Collaborate with, the brand she had just agreed to grace with her presence tomorrow. That was him. He was the true owner, the invisible hand pulling strings. And Kingstone Investments, the ruthless financial empire James was indebted to, belonged not to strangers but to his foster father the man who had raised him, hardened him, and introduced him into a world of power and merciless control.

At that moment Oliver allowed himself a thin smile. When he first learned of Cora’s desire to partner with Everything luxury, and how much this estate project meant to her, he didn’t hesitate. He had quietly ensured everything would align in her favor, even planting the diamond card invitation in her hands, the kind of gesture that would have been impossible for anyone else to pull off. He had done it not because of strategy or obligation, but because it was her, he wanted her to feel Special.

He exhaled deeply, his jaw tightening. "As long as she is happy," he whispered to himself, "I’ll continue doing whatever it takes."

**

At that moment, Lovi sat in his office like a man who had been caged inside his own thoughts. The glow of the monitor in front of him lit up his face, but his mind was far from the work on the screen. His chest tightened with frustration. How could it be that after everything he had done, after all the risks he had taken, he had still received nothing absolutely nothing from Cora? He had imagined that by now, she would at least reach out, show him a little gratitude, or even extend a small hand of acknowledgment. But instead, it was as if she had erased him completely from her world.

Then he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. This was not just about affection or recognition this was about opportunity. To Lovi, Cora was not just another woman; she was the gatekeeper to generational wealth, the kind of stability and influence that men like him had spent years chasing. To win her trust, to stand by her side and later her heart, meant to finally climb out of mediocrity and stamp his name into a legacy that would last forever. Yet, here he was, empty-handed, forgotten, and ignored.

At that moment James name came to his mind, and the bitterness in Lovi’s chest grew heavier. That fool was the one who first reached out to him, painting grand promises and dangling secrets as though he held real power. But James was nothing but a desperate man chasing shadows. What James wanted was far beyond Lovi’s reach, something reckless, something impossible. Still, Lovi had entertained him, thinking that maybe he could squeeze valuable information from James, something that could bring him closer to Cora. That was the only reason he accepted James’ proposal in the first place. But now? James had proven to be nothing but a dead end.

At that moment he slammed his palm on the desk lightly, frustration dripping through his veins. Did they all forget me? He thought bitterly. Even Cora ...Cora, who should at least remember that he was the one who brought her the ZXZ information, the very detail that helped her move her plans forward how could she not even send a word of thanks? Did she think he was some errand boy, some tool to be used and discarded? That was not supposed to be the case. Not with him.