Chapter 27

Matteo’s knee tapped restlessly beneath the polished conference table. He had been trapped in back-to-back meetings all day, meticulously preparing for the grand opening of the new track. This final session involved six of his most significant investors, and he knew he should be fully attentive. Yet, his eyes kept drifting toward the hallway, stealing glances at the direction of Genevieve’s office. Just minutes earlier, he had witnessed Raphael make his move. That bastard was cunning—waiting for the most critical meeting, the one Matteo couldn’t possibly excuse himself from, to conduct his little investigation.

Raphael was Alessio’s trusted right-hand man, and not without merit. The man was like a walking lie detector, able to unravel secrets with a few carefully chosen questions. He had the uncanny ability to reduce a warlord to tears, extract classified information from dictators, and even convince a nun to abandon her vows. Matteo had known Raphael for nearly twenty years, and only twice had he seen women pierce through his carefully crafted facade.

“Mr. Accardi?” Bella, his PR representative, interrupted his distracted thoughts.

“Hm?” Matteo murmured, his gaze still locked on the open doorway of Genevieve’s office.

Suddenly, a hand rested lightly on his thigh, yanking his attention away from the hallway. He shot her a cold, hard look, his expression tightening into a steely glare. Bella quickly withdrew her hand, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

“Uh, Mr. Ludwig was asking you a question,” she stammered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and stepping back slightly.

“What?” Matteo growled, snapping back to the meeting.