The Lost Ricci: Heir Back from the Dead

Chapter 8: Giulia's Manipulation

Giulia Bronson moved through the lobby of Golden Fingers like she owned it, her five-inch Louboutin heels clicking against polished marble with each calculated step. The body-fitted maxi dress she wore—cream-colored with strategic cutouts—hugged every curve, leaving little to the imagination. Her milky skin practically glowed, and her protruding cleavage drew eyes like a magnet. The plunging neckline showcased a diamond pendant that cost more than most people's cars.

She was an illusion of gorgeousness and sophistication, and she knew it.

Every head in the lobby turned as she passed. Conversations stuttered to a halt. Her flowery cologne—something expensive and French—filled the air, announcing her presence before she even spoke. Workers pressed themselves against walls to let her pass, murmuring greetings with forced respect.

"Good morning, Ms. Bronson."

"Congratulations on your engagement, Ms. Bronson."

"You look beautiful today, Ms. Bronson."

Giulia smiled graciously at each greeting, her expression perfectly pleasant. But she heard the whispers that started as soon as she passed, the hushed conversations behind cupped hands. She was prepared for the backbiting, the backlash, the judgment. Let them talk. Their opinions meant nothing.

Months ago, she'd walked these same halls carrying a lunchbox for her wretched husband, playing the devoted wife to a man who couldn't afford to take her to dinner. Today, she walked in as the CEO's fiancée, dripping in diamonds, carrying his child. The transformation was dramatic, deliberate, and deeply satisfying.

"Giulia!" Mrs. Bianchi's voice rang out from the reception desk. The older woman stood, her smile wide but not quite reaching her eyes. "What a lovely surprise! Congratulations again on your engagement. And the baby—how exciting!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Bianchi," Giulia said smoothly. "You're too kind."

"How are you feeling? Morning sickness treating you alright?"

"I'm managing." Giulia placed a protective hand over her still-flat stomach. "Some days are harder than others, but it's worth it."

Mrs. Bianchi nodded, her smile fixed in place. "You and Mr. Greco make such a cute couple."

Giulia's smile didn't waver, though the words rang hollow. Cute couple. If only Mrs. Bianchi knew what happened behind closed doors—the arguments, the manipulation, Leonardo's mistress in the east wing of his mansion. They weren't cute. They were strategic.

"Is Leonardo in?" Giulia asked, already moving toward the executive elevator.

"Yes, but let me call up first—"

"That won't be necessary," Giulia interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I know the way."

Mrs. Bianchi's smile finally dropped as Giulia disappeared into the elevator. The older woman sank back into her chair, rolling her eyes at the blatant disrespect. She'd never liked Giulia, not since she'd figured out the real reason for those constant "lunch visits" during her marriage to Dante.

Mrs. Bianchi wasn't stupid. She'd heard the sounds coming from Leonardo's office during those visits—sounds that had nothing to do with eating lunch. She'd felt pity for Dante, that good-looking contract worker who seemed genuinely devoted to his wife, completely oblivious to her promiscuity.

But Mrs. Bianchi had kept her mouth shut. What good would it do to reveal the truth? She wasn't paid enough to involve herself in other people's messy lives. Besides, the engagement had been finalized, and she'd received her orders directly from Leonardo: terminate Dante Moretti's contract. Effective immediately.

She'd done it. Sent the email. Watched the man's world crumble through a computer screen.

Mrs. Bianchi pushed the guilt away and returned to her work.

Leonardo Greco looked up from his desk as his office door swung open without a knock. Irritation flashed across his handsome face before he registered who it was.

"Giulia," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I know," Giulia replied, closing the door behind her with a soft click. "That's why I didn't call ahead."

Leonardo stood, straightening his tie. His office was immaculate—all glass and chrome, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Awards and certificates lined one wall, monuments to his success. "You can't just walk into my office unannounced. People will talk. My reputation—"

"Your reputation?" Giulia laughed, the sound light and musical. "Darling, everyone already knows we're engaged. What's the harm in your fiancée visiting?"

Leonardo moved around his desk, pulling her into his arms despite his reservations. "I'm sorry about last night," he murmured against her hair. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I know you didn't." Giulia tilted her face up, kissing him softly. Her fingers traced the lapel of his expensive suit. "You were just stressed. I understand."

The lie slipped easily from her lips. Leonardo had been more than stressed—he'd been cruel, saying things about her past that had cut deeper than he realized. But Giulia wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd hurt her. Weakness was vulnerability, and vulnerability got exploited.

"Is the storm over?" Leonardo asked, pulling back to study her face. "Dante?"

"Completely over." Giulia's smile was triumphant. "He signed the divorce papers yesterday. His friend collected his pathetic belongings from the apartment this morning. It's done, Leo. Officially, finally done."

Relief washed over Leonardo's features. He hated loose ends, and Dante had been the loosest of ends—a husband who wouldn't go away, a reminder of Giulia's questionable judgment. Having the marriage officially annulled gave him the freedom to bind Giulia to him permanently, legally, without any complications.

"Good," he said, guiding her toward the giant leather sofa that dominated one side of his office. "Then we can move forward. The wedding, the baby, everything."

Giulia settled onto the sofa, adjusting her dress to showcase her legs. Leonardo sat beside her, taking her hand and tracing his fingers over her still-flat stomach with almost reverent gentleness.

"Our baby," he whispered.

Giulia giggled, the sound high and excited, perfectly calibrated to feed his ego. "Our family."

Leonardo's expression shifted, becoming calculating. "I met with someone interesting today," he said casually. "Isabella Conner. Selena Ricci's personal assistant."

Giulia's interest sharpened. "Oh? And what did the devoted assistant have to say?"

"Nothing at first. The woman's loyal, I'll give her that." Leonardo smirked. "But everyone has a price. I bought her flowers, took her to lunch, made her feel valued and appreciated. People love feeling important."

"And?"

"And she talked." Leonardo's smile turned predatory. "Selena Ricci is dying. Stage three pancreatic cancer. She has weeks left, maybe a month or two if she's lucky."

Excitement lit Leonardo's eyes, but Giulia felt a spike of irritation. His enthusiasm over another woman's terminal illness felt inappropriate, even to her somewhat flexible moral standards.

"Why are you so excited about a woman dying?" she asked, her tone sharper than intended.

Leonardo squeezed her hand. "Because it changes everything, baby. Ryan Ricci will take over Apex Crown Holdings soon. Once they formally announce Selena's condition—or once she dies—he'll assume the CEO position. A man with no experience, no corporate background, suddenly in charge of a multi-billion dollar empire?"

Understanding dawned on Giulia's face. "He'll be vulnerable."

"Exactly." Leonardo stood, pacing now with building energy. "The only problem is, even Isabella knows nothing about Ryan. Where he's been, what he's like, what he wants. There's no way to get close to him before he officially assumes the position. No angle, no in."

He turned to face Giulia, his expression thoughtful. "Naive people are easy to manipulate, don't you think? If Ryan's been living a normal life—maybe even struggling—he'll be overwhelmed by sudden wealth and power. That's when people make mistakes. That's when they trust the wrong people."

Giulia's mind raced, always three steps ahead. She shifted on the sofa, crossing her legs deliberately, and smiled with devilish satisfaction. "I have a suggestion."

"I'm listening."

"Let's give Apex Crown Holdings a push." Giulia's voice dropped, becoming conspiratorial. "Create an anonymous rumor about Selena Ricci's health challenge. Leak it to the business press, the gossip blogs, anywhere that will run with it. Force their hand."

Leonardo's eyebrows rose. "Force them to announce Ryan's ascension before they're ready?"

"Exactly." Giulia leaned forward, animated now. "If they're scrambling to do damage control, if Ryan is thrust into the spotlight before he's prepared, he'll be even more vulnerable. He'll need advisors, allies, people who seem trustworthy." Her smile widened. "People like you, darling. Successful, experienced, willing to help a fellow CEO navigate the treacherous waters of high society."

Leonardo stared at her for a long moment, then burst into laughter. "You're brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."

He held up his thumb, and Giulia clapped hers against it, their gesture sealing the sinister pact. The sound echoed in the quiet office—a promise, a plan, a plot that would set events in motion neither of them could fully predict.

"We'll start the rumor tomorrow," Leonardo said, already planning. "Make it seem legitimate. Maybe an 'anonymous source close to the family' leaking information out of concern. The media will eat it up."

"And while Apex Crown is dealing with the fallout, you position yourself as a sympathetic colleague." Giulia stood, smoothing her dress. "Someone who understands the pressure of running a major corporation. Someone offering genuine friendship in a world of sharks."

"Someone Ryan Ricci will trust," Leonardo finished.

They looked at each other, and in that moment, they were perfectly aligned—two ambitious people willing to destroy whoever stood between them and greater power.

"I should go," Giulia said, moving toward the door. "Wouldn't want to damage your reputation with a lengthy visit."

Leonardo caught her wrist, pulling her back for one last kiss. "You're going to make an excellent wife," he murmured against her lips.

"I know," Giulia replied simply.

As she left his office, clicking back through the lobby in her expensive heels, Giulia felt satisfaction settle over her like a comfortable blanket. The divorce was finalized. Dante was out of her life forever. And soon, very soon, she and Leonardo would have their claws in the Ricci fortune.

Everything was falling into place.

Behind her, Leonardo returned to his desk, already drafting the anonymous tip that would change everything.

Neither of them noticed Mrs. Bianchi watching from her desk, her expression troubled, her fingers hovering over her phone as she debated whether to warn someone—anyone—about what she'd just overheard.

But warn who? And about what, exactly? Ambitious people making ambitious plans?