Page 54 of The Heiress

“And what do you offer, beyond… attention?”

Are these men used to a womanly smile that isn’t trying to flirt with them? Or get out of trouble? Because I have no intention of being anything but assertive. This isn’t only my chance to shine a new direction for my life to follow. I could actually help Daisy’sfamily stay relevant and make some much-needed changes to their business. God knows I know enough people in the industry.

“I offer commitment. I’m in it for the long haul with Daisy. With her comes the DeMonte legacy. I’m going to help you shape the next decade of your brand with international intention.”

Cristiano frowns, still skeptical. “We’re supposed to believe you’ve matured overnight?”

“I’m not here to prove I’ve matured. I’m here to act like it. You can watch and decide for yourselves.”

A pause suddenly bursts between us. Franco Antonetti leans back slightly, studying me like I’m suddenly the best thing to come out and amuse him. Like this is a circus and I’m a dancing monkey. He’s already made up his mind, huh?

“You’re bold,” he finally says. “But bold can be dangerous.”

“Bold built both of your empires. Daisy and I aren’t the exception. We’re merely the new generation coming in and saying how things are now. Look, instead of fighting it… well, the best success stories happen when multiple viewpoints are willing to work together, right? You bring in new people for new ideas, but it’s the old guard with experience who sometimes knows when to step in and sayno, not right now.But you also have to be willing to fail sometimes.”

Franco looks at Cristiano, then back at me. “And if we go forward with the deal?”

“Then we do it as partners. No backroom negotiations trying to undo my marriage. No pressure on Daisy to walk away from me. I won’t stand in the way of business being business – but I alsowon’tlet business bulldoze my wife.”

Cristiano keeps his mouth shut. It’s clear he still doesn’t like me one bit – for obvious reasons – but if he won’t drag me through the mud for the sake of his family, then I’ve already won.

Franco rises. “We’ll consider your offer. Privately.”

It’s my turn to get up. “Thank you.”

“Don’t take it the wrong way if you don’t hear from me directly. I’ll be in contact with Marcello since he’s still the one in charge. I’m sure he’ll follow up with you. After all…” He sighs. “It sounds like you’re the other daughter he’s never had.”

Cristiano lingers as his father steps into the hallway. I meet his gaze, ready for him to start something.

“I get it,” I say to break the silence. “You thought I was a phase. But I hope I’ve made it clear that I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to make it work with Daisy.”

He doesn’t reply. But his silence says more than any snide remark would have. He’s been humiliated. But he’s not going to take it out on me. No, I’m the interloper who got caught up in this as well. Ultimately, this was him and Daisy’s father promising things that were never going to happen, and this poor guy believed it for a few days.

When I head downstairs, I come across Marcello sitting in a side room by security. He’s nursing a cappuccino when he sees me. I smell Franco’s cologne, implying I’d missed him down here.

“I didn’t think you had it in you,” Marcello says when he sees me standing in the doorway. I’ve got the leather folio dangling from my hand and a giant lump in my stomach. Finally, the stress is catching up to me.

“I didn’t either,” I admit.

“You kept your wit on a leash.”

“Barely.”

“You did good.” He pauses. “You showed up like someone who actuallywantsto be part of this family. You know, like an old-school job interview.”

Naturally, only he would equate the two. “It’s almost like I…” No, come on Lorde, keep the snark at bay until he’s officially made you part of the family. “I do. It’s because I do.”

Marcello nods and holds up his cappuccino cup at me.

“Welcome to the table, Sheen.”

I don’t respond with a joke. This is too much of a heartfelt moment crashing into me. As I accept a cup of cappuccino – I don’t even like this stuff! – I think about all that’s happened in the past two months. The pastweek.From single, flirty, and thriving to married and part of an Italian family department store dynasty.

What the fuck.

I slump in a plastic chair at the folding card table that stands in for the concierge and security’s break room. Marcello holds out his pinky as he wobbles his cup in his hand. We say nothing as I sip from my cup and wonder what thefuckI’ve done.

Besides the obvious. Like, fallen in love and beholden myself to a woman like Daisy – and her father, a man who knows people whoknows people.

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