The paramedics swarmed Della, their swift efficiency breaking the lobby’s frozen silence. A doppler monitor touched her stomach. A moment of agonizing static followed before a rapid, rhythmic *thump-thump-thump* echoed over the shattered glass and marble floors.
A strong heartbeat.
Della slumped back into the velvet chair, sobbing in pure relief. Luca didn’t let go of her scarred hand.
Behind them, Evan Vance was sweating through his bespoke navy suit. He grabbed Cordelia’s arm, his grip desperate. “Apologize,” he hissed. “Now.”
Cordelia’s signature arrogance finally fractured into panic. “Della… Ms. Marsh. It was an accident. A misunderstanding. Please, I’ll write a check right now. Name your price—”
“Save it,” Luca’s voice sliced through the air like a straight razor.
He stood, towering over the panicked socialites. He didn’t yell. He didn’t have to. He simply raised a hand, and his head of security stepped from the shadows, pressing an iPad into Luca’s palm.
“Evan,” Luca said smoothly, his eyes dead and cold. “Your development division has been bleeding capital for six months. You came here begging Moretti Holdings to buy your debt and save your family’s legacy.”
Evan swallowed hard. “Mr. Moretti, my fiancée’s actions don’t reflect—”
“She’s not your fiancée anymore, is she?” Luca challenged.
Evan froze. He looked at Cordelia’s horrified face, then back at the billionaire. The choice was obvious. “No. The engagement is over.”
Cordelia shrieked, “Evan, you coward!”
“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Luca interrupted, tapping the screen once. “Because Moretti Holdings didn’t buy your debt. I just purchased it personally.”
Luca turned, gently placing the iPad into the trembling hands of the exhausted waitress.
“Della,” Luca whispered, his tone softening entirely. “As of three seconds ago, I placed the Vance family’s debt into a holding company in your name. You legally own everything they have.”
Cordelia’s knees finally gave out, hitting the marble floor with a dull thud.
Luca smiled, looking down at the woman who had pushed a pregnant mother. “Now, Della… would you like to evict them?”