Free Web NovelChapter 46: The Trap Backfires
"Bro Luca, that troublesome brat is probably waiting downstairs to pull something," Austin Silva warned in a low voice as he caught up to Luca.
He had seen the look on Tristan Caldwell’s face before the man stormed out of the ballroom. It was the expression of someone planning revenge. Austin had no business ties to the Caldwell family, nor did he depend on Octaveo Pharmaceutical for anything, so he wasn’t particularly worried about offending Tristan.
Luca merely smiled.
"It’s fine."
His calm demeanor never changed. In his eyes, Tristan was nothing more than an angry rich kid throwing a tantrum.
Seeing Luca so relaxed eased Austin’s concerns considerably. Anyone who could casually sit in seat number seven at tonight’s auction certainly wasn’t lacking in confidence or connections.
The elevator doors opened onto the grand hotel lobby.
Before they had taken more than a few steps, a sharply dressed middle-aged man approached them with hurried strides.
"Chairman."
General Manager Roman Pierce stopped in front of Luca and lowered his head respectfully.
"Benjamin Caldwell’s son has gathered several men outside. Judging from their positioning, they’re likely waiting to make a move against you."
Roman spoke as casually as if he were discussing the evening weather.
Austin froze.
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He knew exactly who Roman Pierce was. The man practically ran the San Fierro Grand Hotel.
Before he could recover from the shock, Roman continued with obvious pride.
"As owner of both the San Fierro Grand Hotel and the entire San Fierro Commercial Street, there’s no need for you to concern yourself with such matters, Chairman."
Austin sucked in a sharp breath.
Kanda Hospital.
Commercial Street.
The Grand Hotel.
And the San Fierro Building.
One after another, the city’s most valuable properties kept turning out to belong to Luca Hale.
For the first time, Austin realized the man standing beside him wasn’t merely rich.
He was one of San Fierro’s hidden giants.
"Bro Luca..." Austin shook his head with a helpless laugh. "You’re honestly incredible."
A burst of mocking laughter echoed through the lobby.
"Hehe. Sorry to interrupt your evening, Luca Hale, but if that pretty face of yours doesn’t want to get rearranged tonight, I’d suggest walking outside right now."
Leaning casually against the golden-framed entrance stood Tristan Caldwell.
The swelling on both sides of his face was still visible.
The sight only made his hatred burn hotter.
Luca had humiliated him in front of the entire city’s elite. Those two slaps had stripped away every bit of his dignity. No matter what happened tonight, he was going to make Luca pay.
And as for Naomi...
His eyes drifted greedily toward her.
The more he looked at her, the more obsessed he became.
"Hey, gorgeous," Tristan said with a disgusting grin. "Behave yourself tonight and maybe I’ll have my men go a little easier on your boyfriend."
He could tell Naomi genuinely cared about Luca. In Tristan’s mind, that made her easy to manipulate.
Unfortunately for him, Naomi didn’t even bother looking his way.
Her lips parted slightly.
"Scram."
The single word hit harder than a slap.
Tristan’s face twisted.
"Good. Very good. You’ll regret that."
Turning toward Roman Pierce, he forced himself to calm down.
"Manager Pierce, you’ve seen everything. I’m not causing trouble inside your hotel. Just have your people escort Luca Hale outside, and my men will handle the rest."
For all his arrogance, Tristan wasn’t completely stupid.
The owner of Commercial Street was someone even his family didn’t want to offend recklessly. He had no intention of causing a fight inside the hotel itself. This was his way of giving Roman some face.
Luca glanced at Roman with amusement.
"Manager Pierce, what do you think?"
A bead of sweat formed on Roman’s forehead.
This idiot really had no idea who he was talking to.
"Chairman, please don’t concern yourself. We’ll handle everything."
Roman bowed respectfully.
The sight stunned Tristan.
Roman Pierce was one of the most influential managers in San Fierro.
Yet he was bowing to Luca?
What kind of status did that require?
Before Tristan could process the thought, Roman suddenly turned around.
His expression became ice cold.
"Security!"
The shout echoed throughout the lobby.
"Restrain this idiot immediately! I’d like to know who gave Benjamin Caldwell’s son the courage to threaten our boss!"
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Tristan’s eyes widened.
The color drained from his face.
He stared at Luca in disbelief while Luca simply looked back with a faint smile.
At that moment, the truth hit him.
Luca wasn’t just the owner of Kanda Hospital.
He wasn’t just some mysterious billionaire.
He was Roman Pierce’s boss.
The actual owner of the San Fierro Grand Hotel.
The man Tristan had mocked and provoked all afternoon was the very person controlling the ground beneath his feet.
Before he could react, several security guards tackled him to the marble floor.
"Let me go!" Tristan roared, struggling violently. "Luca Hale! Don’t think my family is afraid of you just because you own a hotel!"
Luca walked over slowly.
Then, without warning, he drove a kick into Tristan’s stomach.
"Know your place."
The simple words carried a chill that silenced the entire lobby.
Even Roman Pierce felt a shiver run down his spine.
Luca rarely showed this side of himself.
Most people only saw the handsome young billionaire with an easy smile.
Very few ever saw what happened when someone crossed a line.
And nobody wanted to be the next person to find out.
Luca turned toward Roman.
"Manager Pierce."
Roman straightened immediately.
"Chairman."
"Take care of Young Master Caldwell and all the people waiting outside. Any medical bills can be sent to me."
Luca had already noticed the rough-looking thugs loitering beyond the glass entrance.
Roman nodded.
"Understood. I’ll make sure it’s handled."
As he spoke, he shot a meaningful glance toward the security captain.
The captain immediately understood.
A few minutes later, with the situation settled, Luca walked out of the San Fierro Grand Hotel alongside Naomi.
His fingers lazily spun his car key fob as they headed toward the parking area.
Just then, his phone began vibrating inside his suit pocket.
An incoming call.
Luca glanced at the screen.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
