Chapter 5

• 【Alana’s POV】
• The afternoon sun streamed through the large glass window as I met with Cheet, a professional financial lawyer who, surprisingly, had a keen interest in gossip.
• “So, does that big boss really have an unforgettable true love in his heart?” he asked in a low voice.
• “What have you dug up this time?” I asked.
• “Just a little insider info. When Dante Moretti was young and not yet in his current position, he had a girlfriend—a very ordinary but exceptionally beautiful girl. One day, someone tried to kidnap him, and that girl took a bullet for him, sacrificing her life on the spot.”
• Cheet took a sip of his coffee. “Since then, Dante had changed completely. His heart turned cold, and his methods became more ruthless. If it weren’t for the family and the need for an heir to stabilize the situation, he might never get married at all.”
• I took a sip of my coffee, trying to suppress the inexplicable discomfort in my heart.
• It was new information. I never expected someone like Dante to have his only weakness be a woman who had long been dead.
• Just then, Dante’s assistant, Johnson, appeared.
• “Miss Valier,” he said, handing me a thick leather envelope, “Mr. Moretti asked me to give this to you.”
• “Oh?”
• “Mr. Moretti said,” Johnson paused, “this is not compensation. It’s an investment.”
• “Investment?” I slowly untied the cotton rope on the envelope and pulled out the documents inside.
• On top was a share transfer agreement. I quickly scanned the key parts: Moretti Group, 1% ownership.
• 1%. That meant huge annual dividends—and a pass into the inner circle.
• Underneath was also a check for five million dollars.
• I looked up, putting on a slightly naive and curious smile, and said to Johnson, “Please thank Dante for me.”
• He nodded slightly, his movements textbook-perfect. “The documents have been delivered, Ms. Valier. I’ll take my leave now.”
• “Oh, thank you for making the trip, Johnson.”
• As soon as the assistant left, Cheet lunged onto the table, hands on the edge, his face almost touching the documents.
• “Spill it! Come clean! Alana! My queen! My idol!” His voice was excited and slightly off-key. “An investment? What did you do to make him bleed this much? 1% of Moretti shares! Five million dollars! Enough to buy a small island!”
• Seeing Cheet’s anxious expression, I lowered my voice so only we could hear and told him everything that happened in the study that night.
• “Wow! So high! Alana! You’re like... like a goddess of revenge! A master at playing with people’s hearts!”
• He rubbed his hands excitedly, eyes shining like he had struck gold.
• “This move is brilliant! Look at the results—so quick! With this five million dollars, plus the 1% stake, we have our startup capital, right?”
• He picked up the agreement, holding it like a treasure. “With this, we can talk tough on Wall Street! Alana, let’s discuss the specific plan right away, how to leverage this money for maximum impact—”
• Buzz, buzz, buzz—my phone was vibrating like crazy on the table, the screen displaying that disgusting name: Leo Moretti.
• As I swiped to answer, I heard a roar so loud even Cheet could hear it clearly:
• “Alana Valier! Right now! Get your ass back to the apartment! Now!”
• After he finished yelling, I asked, “What’s up, my dear fiancé? Why so angry? Did another gigolo stand you up at the hotel?”
• “Don’t you dare play dumb with me! My father just informed me! He wants you to move to the estate! And he’s moved up the wedding date—to next month! Alana! Did you say something to my father?! What are you up to?!”
• “What should I say?” I sneered. “Tell him how at our grand engagement party, you were like a horny dog, cuddling with your mistress—hands even in her pants.”
• The voice on the other end immediately became muffled. “Alana... you... don’t go too far!”
• His voice sounded shaky, clearly lacking confidence.
• “Too far?” I raised my voice sharply, full of undisguised contempt. “Leo Moretti! After pretending to be a loving fiancé for so long, it’s you who should be tired! You think you’ve hidden your disgusting deeds well?”
• I paused for a second, then dropped a bomb in a very gentle tone,
• “Guess how many ‘enthusiastic encouragement’ videos you’ve sent to the other person are saved in my phone cloud? In the bathroom, in the car... just missing one from the estate. Should I pick a well-lit one and send it to you for ‘appreciation’?”
• “Alana! You bitch! Shameless! How dare you—”
• Leo completely lost it, but before he could finish his rant, I decisively pressed the end call button.
• The world fell silent, and Cheet on the other end took a while to react.
• “Holy... encouraging each other’s enthusiasm? Alana... when did you... when did you film this? This is too much...”
• I didn’t answer, just looked out the window.
• Dante suddenly made us move to a suburban villa and forced us to advance the wedding date.
• He’s really a sly old fox. His mind is hard to guess. But it’s okay. This brings me one step closer to my goal.