Chapter 225: A Life For a Life!
“Gentlemen… we meet again.”
Luca leaned back comfortably in his chair, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he watched Theodore and Patricia’s terrified expressions.
This was exactly the reaction he’d hoped for.
Theodore forced an awkward smile that looked more painful than friendly.
“Mr. Hale… haven’t we already settled our differences?”
Deep down, he prayed Luca hadn’t uncovered the truth behind the car accident.
For now, pretending ignorance was his only option.
Luca let out a quiet chuckle.
“Settled?” He shook his head. “You’re making things sound far simpler than they really are.”
“If there’s anything you’re unhappy about, we can talk.” Theodore hurriedly swallowed his fear. “We’re willing to pay compensation.”
His thoughts were simple.
If money could solve this…
Then money was a small price to pay.
As long as he stayed alive, he could always earn it back.
“Good… very good.”
Luca applauded with an amused smile.
“Mr. Fark, that’s exactly what I like to hear.”
He slowly stood and adjusted his suit.
“You’re a businessman.”
“So am I.”
“And I enjoy doing business.”
Those words made Theodore’s eyes light up.
He’d prepared himself for torture…
Yet all this man wanted was money?
Hope instantly returned.
Patricia, who had remained silent until now, finally dared to raise her head.
A flicker of relief appeared in her eyes.
For the first time since arriving here…
They believed they might actually survive.
“Mr. Hale…” Theodore said excitedly, his voice trembling. “Just tell me the amount. I’ll transfer it immediately.”
Luca smiled.
“Money?”
He slowly shook his head.
“I have plenty of money.”
“It’s the one thing I don’t need.”
Theodore froze.
That… actually made sense.
Someone who could command people like Vanderbilt obviously wasn’t interested in a few hundred thousand dollars.
After hesitating briefly, he cautiously asked,
“Then… is there something you’d like me to do?”
“Just say the word.”
“I’ll do everything in my power.”
He even patted his chest as though making a solemn promise.
Luca slowly walked toward him.
“I’ve never liked dealing in cash.”
“I prefer exchanging one thing… for another.”
“An exchange?”
Theodore frowned, unable to understand.
Luca stopped directly in front of him.
His hands remained casually tucked inside his pockets.
When he spoke again, every word carried an icy chill.
“Mr. Fark…”
“Have you ever heard the saying…”
“’A life for a life.’”
“’A debt for a debt.’”
Silence filled the room.
Even President Vanderbilt and Alice felt the temperature seem to drop.
Patricia’s legs gave out.
She collapsed onto the floor.
Theodore’s face turned deathly pale.
“Mr… Mr. Hale…”
“You’re talking about… murder?”
His lips quivered uncontrollably.
His composure was hanging by a thread.
Why…
Why bring up murder now?
Had Luca really discovered everything?
Luca looked down at the pair with open contempt.
“One of you murdered her own husband.”
“The other betrayed his own brother.”
“You really are a perfect couple.”
He paused.
“Frankly… I couldn’t care less what kind of people you are.”
“But the moment you dragged innocent people into your scheme…”
“You made yourselves my problem.”
Those words shattered the last bit of hope Theodore had been clinging to.
The truth…
Really had been exposed.
If they’d known things would end like this…
They never would’ve bribed Quincy to sabotage the car.
No matter how much they hated Jermaine…
There had been other ways.
Instead…
That single decision had brought them face-to-face with someone they never should’ve crossed.
Everything they’d dreamed about…
Their future…
Their freedom…
It was all gone.
Both of them completely broke down.
“Please…”
“We’ll give you every cent we have…”
“We’ll do anything…”
“We’ll even be your servants…”
“Please don’t kill us!”
“I don’t want to die!”
Their desperate cries echoed throughout the basement.
Luca didn’t react.
Not even slightly.
He simply leaned toward the microphone.
“Mr. Vanderbilt.”
The elderly man immediately stood.
“Yes, Boss.”
“Take good care of them.”
“Don’t let them die too quickly.”
His calm tone was colder than any shout.
Every word pierced straight through Theodore’s heart.
For the first time in his life…
He realized his own life no longer belonged to him.
Vanderbilt smiled gently.
“Leave it to me.”
“They’ll discover what living in hell truly feels like.”
The kindness in his expression made the words even more terrifying.
Anyone capable of building an international shipping empire wasn’t someone who relied on kindness alone.
Luca nodded.
“I’ve always trusted your work.”
That single compliment made Vanderbilt beam.
If he weren’t maintaining his dignity in front of everyone, he probably would’ve laughed out loud.
“That’s all for now.”
“I have other matters to handle.”
He paused before adding one last reminder.
“Oh…”
“Don’t let them kill themselves.”
“That would make things far too boring.”
The moment he finished speaking, Theodore completely lost control.
“You bastard!”
“You’ll get what’s coming to you!”
“You’ll die a miserable death!”
Luca simply laughed.
“Still pretending to be brave?”
He clicked the mouse.
The video call immediately ended.
The room fell silent.
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, pretending to rest.
A few moments later…
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
“Come in.”
The office door opened.
Soft footsteps approached from behind.
A familiar fragrance drifted through the air.
Luca smiled without opening his eyes.
Warm fingers gently rested against his temples.
Sophie began massaging them with practiced movements.
“How’s that?”
“Mmm…”
He let out a contented sigh.
She’d spent countless hours learning massage techniques online while taking care of Diana during her illness.
The results spoke for themselves.
His headache melted away almost instantly.
“How’s your mom doing?” Luca asked, trying to steer his thoughts elsewhere.
“She’s almost completely recovered.”
Sophie smiled softly.
“And…”
“I’ve decided.”
“This time… I’m going with you.”
Luca immediately opened his eyes.
“Really?”
She nodded.
“Really.”
He thought for a moment before speaking.
“How about this?”
“We’ll take both families, along with little Daisy, to San Fierro for a vacation.”
“Afterward…”
“I’ll buy your family a villa in Stillwater Bay.”
“When your mom comes back, she’ll live right next door to my parents.”
That way, the two families could look after one another.
Diana would have people nearby if anything happened.
More importantly…
Daisy desperately needed a change of environment.
Maybe traveling would help ease some of the pain she’d been carrying.
Sophie’s eyes widened.
“No…”
“You’ve already spent so much on us.”
“The villas there are incredibly expensive.”
“A vacation is one thing…”
“But a house?”
She immediately shook her head.
Luca smiled.
“What’s wrong with buying my wife a home?”
Then he leaned close enough for only her to hear.
“Besides…”
“You’re not getting it for free.”
She blinked innocently.
“Then… how am I supposed to repay you?”
He grinned.
“With interest.”
A second later, Sophie’s face turned bright red.
She lightly pinched his arm.
“Luca…”
“Let’s go home first…”
“This is your office.”
“What if someone comes in?”
He chuckled, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction.
“Scared?”
“If you were really scared…”
“Why did you wear stockings underneath your pants today?”