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Vittoria crossed the dining room, her mind buzzing with plans for the upcoming audit. She was nearly at the door when a deep, familiar voice called out to her.

“Dottoressa Mancini.”

She froze. Slowly, she turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man rising from a corner table—Leonardo Ferretti. His sharp suit, perfectly styled hair, and cold, calculating eyes were unmistakable. Leonardo was an investor from Aegis Defense Solutions, a private military company with a shadowy reputation.

“Leonardo,” Vittoria said coolly, her posture straightening. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Leonardo’s lips curled into a tight smile. “And yet, here I am. I’ve been trying to contact you for months. Seems you’ve been… difficult to reach.”

“I’ve been busy,” she replied simply.

Leonardo stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Busy running a restaurant? That’s a far cry from what you promised me.”

Vittoria’s jaw tightened. “I never promised you anything.”

He laughed softly, though his eyes were hard. “Come now. A verbal agreement is still an agreement. One year ago, you told me you’d work with us. You gave your word, Vittoria. I’ve spent millions preparing facilities, procuring materials… I’ve hired experts, built teams—all waiting for your brilliance. And then you vanished.”

She met his gaze without flinching. “I had my reasons.”

Leonardo’s smile faded, and for a moment, the weight of his desperation showed through the cracks. “Do you understand the position you’ve put me in? I borrowed heavily—high interest, dangerous people. If you don’t come through, I lose everything. And not just me… there are others who expect results. I can’t afford delays any longer.”