From Mr. Nobody to Mr. Perfect!

Chapter 7

In the plush executive lounge on the fortieth floor, Peter Marchetti lounged in a leather chair, his legs stretched out confidently. The panoramic windows offered a breathtaking view of the city below, but his attention was focused entirely on the woman beside him.

Lisa Romano perched on the edge of her seat, practically vibrating with excitement. Her designer purse sat open on her lap as she frantically typed messages on her phone.

"I can't believe this is finally happening," she whispered, her fingers flying across the screen. "Grandmother Clara is going to be so impressed."

Peter's smile was smug as he adjusted his expensive watch. "I told you not to worry, sweetheart. With my connections, this deal was always guaranteed."

"When President Rossini signs the partnership agreement," Lisa continued, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, "I'll officially become the new company president. Finally!"

"And after that," Peter leaned closer, his voice dropping to an intimate murmur, "we can start planning our wedding. The Marchetti-Romano alliance will be the most powerful partnership this city has ever seen."

Lisa giggled, leaning into his embrace. "We'll be unstoppable. The Quinn family will have to bow to me for once."

"Speaking of the Quinn family," Peter's expression darkened slightly, "did you see that pathetic husband of Mia's downstairs? What was his name again?"

"Leon something," Lisa waved dismissively. "Nobody important. Just some street trash Mia's grandfather picked up."

"The audacity of that man," Peter shook his head in disbelief. "Acting like he belonged here. Thank God security threw him out."

"He probably thought he could beg for a janitor position," Lisa laughed cruelly. "As if Golden Group would hire someone like that."

Their laughter was interrupted by the sharp click of approaching heels. Both turned toward the sound, expecting to see President Rossini's warm smile.

Instead, they found Sarah Montenegro, Marina's secretary, standing in the doorway. Her face was a mask of professional ice, her usual friendly demeanor completely absent.

"Mr. Marchetti," Sarah's voice was crisp and formal. "I need to speak with you immediately."

Peter straightened, sensing something amiss but maintaining his confident facade. "Of course, Sarah. Is President Rossini ready to see us?"

"President Rossini will not be seeing you," Sarah replied flatly.

"What?" Lisa's smile faltered. "But we have an appointment—"

"Mr. Marchetti," Sarah continued, ignoring Lisa's interruption, "your employment with Golden Group is terminated, effective immediately."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

Peter blinked rapidly, certain he'd misheard. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"You're fired," Sarah repeated, each word pronounced with crystalline clarity.

"Fired?" Peter's voice cracked. "That's impossible! There must be some mistake!"

"There's no mistake."

"But I'm a senior manager! I have contracts! I have projects!" Peter scrambled to his feet, his face flushing red with panic. "You can't just—"

"I can, and I have." Sarah's expression remained coldly professional. "Security will escort you from the building. Your personal belongings will be sent to your home address."

Lisa stared in shock, her phone falling forgotten into her lap. "This is insane! Peter, tell her this is insane!"

"Sarah, listen to me," Peter's voice became desperate, pleading. "I don't understand what's happening. What did I do wrong? I've been a model employee for three years!"

Sarah's composure cracked slightly, revealing a flash of genuine anger.

"You offended someone powerful without even realizing it," she snapped. "Someone so important that your stupidity almost got me fired too!"

"Offended someone?" Peter's face went white. "Who? When?"

"Figure it out yourself," Sarah turned on her heel. "Security will be here in thirty seconds."

She strode away, leaving Peter and Lisa alone in the suddenly oppressive silence of the executive lounge.

"This can't be happening," Peter whispered, sinking back into his chair. His hands shook as he pulled out his phone. "I need to call someone. My contacts. My connections."

"Who did you offend?" Lisa demanded, her voice rising with hysteria. "Who could possibly be powerful enough to get you fired like this?"

Peter's mind raced through the morning's events, desperately searching for answers. Then his face went ashen.

"The man downstairs," he breathed. "That nobody. Leon."

"Leon?" Lisa's voice cracked. "You're telling me that some street beggar got you fired from Golden Group?"

"It has to be him," Peter's voice was barely audible. "He made that phone call, and then President Rossini came running."

The truth hit Lisa like a physical blow. Her face contorted with rage and disbelief.

"You idiot!" she screamed, jumping to her feet. "You provoked some mysterious big shot and ruined everything!"

"I didn't know!" Peter shouted back. "How was I supposed to know he was connected?"

"You should have known!" Lisa's voice reached a pitch that made nearby office workers turn their heads. "You should have been more careful! You should have—"

"I should have what?" Peter's desperation transformed into fury. "How was I supposed to guess that some bicycle-riding nobody was secretly powerful?"

"I don't care how you were supposed to guess!" Lisa grabbed her purse, her movements sharp and angry. "All I know is that you destroyed my chance to become company president!"

"Your chance?" Peter's laugh was bitter and harsh. "What about my career? What about my future?"

"What about it?" Lisa's eyes were cold as ice. "You're finished, Peter. Completely finished. And I'm not going down with you."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying we're done." Lisa slung her purse over her shoulder with finality. "I'm breaking up with you. Right now."

Peter stared at her in shock. "You can't be serious."

"Dead serious," Lisa's voice was heartless. "I need a man who can help my career, not destroy it."

"You gold-digging witch!" Peter's voice exploded with rage. "You were all over me when I was a manager! Calling me darling, planning our wedding! But the second my position disappears, you run like a coward!"

"So what if I do?" Lisa shot back without shame. "You think I loved you for your sparkling personality? You were useful, Peter. Now you're not."

"Useful?" Peter's face turned purple with fury. "You mercenary snake! You never cared about me at all!"

"Of course I didn't!" Lisa laughed cruelly. "You were a stepping stone, nothing more. And now you're a broken stepping stone that I'm throwing away."

Their shouting match echoed through the executive floor, drawing stares and whispers from employees and visitors alike.

"You heartless—" Peter started.

"Loser!" Lisa finished. "That's what you are now! A complete and total loser!"

The elevator doors opened, and three security guards stepped out, their expressions grim and professional.

"Mr. Marchetti," the lead guard called out. "Please come with us."

"This isn't over!" Peter shouted as the guards approached. "I'll find out who did this! I'll make them pay!"

"Good luck with that," Lisa sneered. "Maybe you can ask for help while you're begging on street corners."

The guards flanked Peter, gently but firmly guiding him toward the elevator. Lisa followed at a distance, her head held high with false dignity.

"Ma'am," one guard addressed Lisa politely, "we'll need you to leave as well."

"Of course," Lisa replied with icy composure. "I was just leaving anyway."

As the elevator doors closed on the arguing couple, their voices could still be heard echoing down the shaft.

Back in Marina's office, the atmosphere was calm and businesslike. Leon sat comfortably in the leather chair while Marina took notes on a legal pad, her attention focused entirely on his words.

"There are two things I need you to handle," Leon said, his tone conversational but carrying unmistakable authority.

"Of course," Marina replied, her pen poised over the paper. "What are your instructions?"

"First," Leon's expression grew cold, "Golden Group will have no cooperation with the Taylor family. None whatsoever."

Marina nodded, making a note. "May I ask the reason?"

"Oliver Taylor has improper intentions toward my wife," Leon's voice could have frozen fire. "He's using business pressure to force a marriage proposal. That ends now."

"Understood completely," Marina's voice carried genuine anger on his behalf. "The Taylor family will be blacklisted immediately. Any existing contracts will be terminated."

"Good." Leon's expression softened slightly. "Second, I want Golden Group to launch a new project here in the city."

"What kind of project?"

"A five-star hotel," Leon leaned back in his chair, his mind already working through the details. "Something grand. Something that will require significant construction expertise."

Marina's eyes lit up with understanding. "The Quinn family specializes in construction and development."

"Exactly." Leon's smile was genuine for the first time that day. "This will give them the opportunity they need to prove themselves. A partnership that benefits everyone involved."

"It's brilliant," Marina agreed, already making detailed notes. "A legitimate business opportunity that showcases their capabilities while strengthening their financial position."

"Can you have the project proposal ready by tomorrow?"

"Absolutely," Marina's confidence was unwavering. "I'll have the legal team draft everything tonight. The Quinn family will receive an official invitation to bid on the project first thing in the morning."