CHAPTER 108: – YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE –

Sabrina’s face had been messed up by the tears that had broken out of her eyes and she was attempting to clean them off.

"She hears voices," she said.

"Huh?" Nikolas was confused.

"This voice in her head tells her that if her father can’t even love her, no man ever will. That no one would ever love a broken woman like her." She forced a smile. "I’m counting on you, Mr. Bastiani."

Nikolas watched as she left, shutting the door behind her. His eyes slowly flickered.

"I made it all worse... didn’t I?" He ran his fingers through his head, disappointed in himself. He wished he could go back in time. He’d have never lied to her. He’d have never hidden a thing from her even if it meant they might never have ended up together.

’Scars...’

His mind drifted. He was thinking. The look Sabrina had held as if she’d expected he would be aware of this. But what scar? He’d never seen any scar on Viviana, and—

He blanked out instantly.

Scars?

’Please. Not now. I’ll let you see when I’m ready. But not right now. I can’t show you’

That night. She wouldn’t let him see her back. She was hiding something from him. Was this it?

Nikolas’s face paled.

He wasn’t sure what exactly he was feeling, but he’d stood up, shoving everything off his table. His fingers scratched across the desk, and he lowered his head, hair fallen over his face.

"That was it."

He ran his fingers through his hair, biting the inside of his cheek. He knew things weren’t great, but he’d never thought Amadeo would go that far. How could a father hurt his own child?

He had a brother who was a father to a little girl, and not once could he ever imagine him hurting that little girl. Lucian cherished that girl as if she were his entire world. And she was.

Couldn’t Amadeo be the same? Why have a child if one didn’t intend to care for and love them?

He couldn’t make sense of it.

Nikolas plopped back into the leather chair, his head thrown back. He stared at the ceiling, quiet and unmoving.

One too many people have broken her.

His thought drifted and he tipped his head to stare at the wall. Emilio... That name sounded familiar like he’d heard it somewhere before. He just couldn’t recall.

’Who was it again? And where have I met...’ "Ah. I see. It was that fucker."

His eyes shone with a cold light, murderous intent brewing in his gaze. "I will fucking kill you."

————

Viviana pulled over into the parking lot. She stepped down and headed towards the entrance of Vizera Luxe.

Taking the elevator, she made her way to the second floor, stepping out to head toward her father’s office.

She knocked.

"Come in."

Viviana stepped inside. Amadeo was seated at the desk, dropping his seal on every document he read through.

She took a deep breath.

"What have you called me for?"

"I’m sure you’re aware Project Horizon has been fully innovated and completed."

"And?"

"It will be relaunched again since you ruined the last event."

Viviana balled her fists. "What are you trying to say?"

"It’ll be yours to handle." Amadeo lifted his gaze to her. "I don’t trust anyone else with that project and that means I expect the best from you. You have two weeks to see if it’s possible. The funds will be transferred to you."

"I’m not doing it."

"What?"

She clenched her hands. "I said I’m not doing it. Trust my foot. You believe I wouldn’t ruin things for you? Handling your projects for you is not my job, after all, I’m no longer the CEO of Vizera Luxe. I don’t even come here anymore."

"Oh that?" Amadeo chuckled. "You are a very stubborn girl. You used to be so obedient and now you’re an absolute mess."

He sat back against his chair, legs crossed. "Your CEO status has been reinstated. Like I told you, no one is more worthy of that position than you are and I would never hand it over to someone else, after all, you are my successor and I’m sure you’re very aware of that. No written will is needed. Now, as for you not coming to work, do you think I haven’t said a word because I couldn’t?"

Viviana’s jaw clenched.

"Sweetheart." Amadeo smirked at her. "I was only letting you have a taste of the freedom you’ve always wanted. Marrying that bastard, misbehaving at the family dinner, quitting when you knew you couldn’t. They all happened because I let it. Not because you were capable. Do you think that if I wanted to flip your life over, it’d take me a sweat? You’re my daughter, I am your father and nothing’s ever going to change that. I built you up to be perfect, a woman worthy to succeed me. That’s why I couldn’t care less about a son. You were enough, you’ve shown talent since you were a child, and all you needed was good polish."

His eyes narrowed. "Look at where you are, Viviana. Successful, a billionaire, and a woman who can achieve anything, a woman who dominates in a field filled with men. You should be grateful to me, don’t you think? I taught you well. And I must say, you did so much better than I expected. And I know you’ll achieve so much, which I will make absolutely sure of. A daughter of mine lives up to her name. You are a the Lady Di-grassi, my successor. Act like one."

His expression grew cold.

"Screw you! I’m not your puppet!" Viviana spat.

"Language, girl. It doesn’t suit you."

Viviana stood where she was, trembling. "Do you think I’m a tool?"

"Oh Viviana." Amadeo stood up and walked over to her. He was much taller than her, towering over her with a domineering expression on his face, hands tucked into the pocket of his pants. "Child, every human on this earth is nothing but a tool. Sometimes you step on the ones you can step on to achieve success. And sometimes, some are very useful when nurtured. You are an example."