“He needs a bride.”
The words fell on Giulia as though they were a blow.
“What?” she breathed.
She turned sharply to Matteo.
“Tell me she’s lying.”
Matteo didn’t answer.
And that silence?
It confirmed everything.
Giulia stepped back.
A reproving laugh flowed out of her slowly.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Isabella folded her arms in content.
He did not tell you, oh, he did not tell you, she said sweetly.
She looked out at the investors.
Perhaps you all want to hear this as well.
The room leaned in.
Hungry.
Waiting.
Matteo’s voice dropped.
“Isabella.”
A warning.
She ignored it.
There was a condition, she said, on the part of the De Luca board. In case Matteo desires to retain the company control...
Giulia’s heart pounded.
She didn’t want to hear it.
But she couldn
