Chapter 9 I'll Take Care of You Tonight

Luca's POV

It was past ten o'clock when Sophia's procedure finished.

Anna was still sitting in a chair, weeping uncontrollably.

"Mr. Vittorio, please believe me."

She clung to my sleeve, begging and sobbing, her full breasts rubbing against my chest, tears streaming down.

"Anna," I pushed the inexplicably aroused woman away without hesitation. "Watch your behavior."

Rejected, Anna's wet eyes showed resentment at being pushed aside.

I patted her full backside. "I'll take care of you tonight."

She instantly cheered up and nestled back into my arms.

The NYPD routinely sent officers for questioning. I knew it was all just for show, but to complete the formality, I stayed to accompany Sophia during the interrogation.

"Ms. Klein, you confirm that this matter has nothing to do with Miss Roth, correct?"

The two officers seemed professional and quickly got to the point, which saved me time.

Sophia's face was as pale as paper. She had just gotten out of danger, and fine lines of dryness cracked her lips, but her prolonged silence made me suspicious.

Ten seconds later, Sophia suddenly lifted her head. "No. I want to press charges for attempted assault. She mixed an allergen into my medicine."

The statement silenced the entire room.

The two police officers instinctively looked at me before asking, "You... you mean Miss Roth intentionally harmed you?"

Sophia nodded emphatically. "Exactly."

I quickly stepped forward and gripped her shoulder. I could feel her fragile collarbone trembling under my palm, yet she stubbornly held her back straight.

"It's a misunderstanding. She just woke up and is disoriented," I told the police firmly, my gaze fixed on her face.

"A misunderstanding?" She shook off my hand forcefully. "Luca, I almost died! That's not a misunderstanding!"

I saw the rage and disappointment boiling in her eyes, and my heart gave an unfamiliar tug, but I maintained my cold facade. "Anna didn't do it on purpose. She just didn't know you were allergic."

I deliberately sided with Anna, needing to test her true feelings.

As soon as the words left my mouth, Anna timidly walked in, holding a bouquet of white roses, her eyes red.

"Sophia, I'm so sorry. I sincerely apologize. I truly didn't know you were allergic to that. I just wanted to help you with the fever. I meant well..."

She reached out to touch Sophia's cheek. I instinctively tried to stop her, but Sophia quickly turned and slapped Anna across the face without hesitation.

The sharp smack was jarring in the quiet hospital room.

A crimson handprint instantly appeared on Anna's cheek. She froze, looking at me pitifully. "Luca..."

Sophia glared at Anna. "You steal my husband and then try to kill me? I swear I won't let you get away with this."

Her chest rose and fell sharply, her eyes full of defiance and anger, like a small, furious beast refusing to surrender.

I stared at Sophia's face, annoyed that this woman could upset me, yet she had just acknowledged me as her man.

What was that supposed to mean?

I felt an inexplicable surge of irritation.

The intensity of this feeling was similar to the excitement I felt the first time I tanked three Wall Street investment banks. I had to admit, Sophia's game of playing hard-to-get was effective. She had managed to stir this rush of adrenaline in me again.

But on the surface, I had to maintain control.

I pulled Sophia away. "Sophia, don't push your luck. You are too emotional and irrational right now. This is not the time to continue."

The two officers understood my implication and quickly spoke up. "We'll be going then. We'll follow up later."

I turned to Anna and softened my tone. "I'll take you home."

Anna instantly looked flattered and obediently moved closer. As I walked past Sophia, I clearly saw a flicker of triumph in Anna's eyes.

What a foolish woman.

As soon as the car drove away from the hospital, Anna dropped the façade of victimhood and leaned back in her seat, her voice brimming with ill-concealed pride. "Luca, you're so good to me..."

"Anna," I cut her off coldly.

The car pulled over to the side of the road, the river running beneath a nearby bridge.

I rolled down the window, and the cold wind rushed in. The woman's expression grew strained.

Anna was stunned. "Luca, what's wrong?"

"You did it deliberately, didn't you?" I asked. "Sophia is my fiancée, the future lady of the Vittorio family. Who gave you permission to do that? Yourself, or the person behind you?"

Her face went instantly white. "No... Luca, I did it for you..."

"You are a terrible liar," I said. "Do you want to go for a swim? If you don't start talking, I won't hesitate to kill you first."

Anna trembled with fear. She must have remembered seeing me kill before, knowing I wasn't bluffing.

"No, Luca, I'm truly sorry. Please forgive me..."

She knelt down to kiss my shoe, her tears splashing onto the leather. I pulled my foot away in disgust, using my toe to push her knee.

"Remember your place. You are just one of my many mistresses. If you ever touch Sophia again, I won't hesitate to make you vanish from New York completely."

Anna quickly nodded. "I understand. I won't dare to again..."

I looked away and leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes. Yet, my mind was filled with Sophia's stubborn look in the hospital room.

Siding with Anna earlier was just a test. I wanted to see where her boundary lay.

Before the marriage, I thought she was just a compliant parasite. Now, it seemed things were not so simple.

This realization only intensified my interest in her.

The car drove on smoothly. Anna sat in the passenger seat, quiet as a mouse, but I could feel the lingering malice in her eyes.

I didn't care. She was merely a clown, incapable of causing serious trouble.

My new fiancée, however, was the one who deserved my attention.