MAFIA LOVE SCANDAL

Kaivan flipped through the report that Mike had just handed to him. Not one, but multiple stacks of documents that his assistant had brought today. Occasionally, he was seen reading and then shortly picking up the pen he held to add a few signatures.

“In my opinion, the Four Seasons Hotel in Milan needs a bit of renovation or a decor update that follows the current trends,” he remarked.

Kaivan lifted his gaze momentarily. The man nodded, then resumed reading the report in his hands.

“What do you think about expanding the property as well? I admit, the hotel has been bringing us significant profits.”

Mike nodded in agreement. “Expanding the property is necessary now, Sir. Especially considering Milan is a thriving city and a prime destination for tourists visiting Italy,” he explained. “However, there’s just one thing…”

“What’s the catch?” Kaivan reflexively looked up as Mike left his sentence hanging. “Don’t beat around the bush. Do you want me to pummel you?”

Mike chuckled spontaneously, even though he was well aware of his boss’s tendencies. “I apologize, Sir. I actually meant to say that Milan has been quite profitable for our hotels. But, if you decide to expand the property, I think it might be challenging to accomplish. You know, the area is under the control of a mafia group.”

Kaivan placed the papers he was holding on the table. A long sigh escaped smoothly from his nose. “Are you referring to the Camorra Clan?”

Mike nodded once again. “You surely remember, Sir, how hard we struggled to acquire the land and build the structure back then. Simone, the leader of the Camorra, insisted on establishing a brothel in the same location.”

Kaivan paused, lost in thought, recalling events from a few years ago. He had clashed with a mafia group named Camorra, led by Simone Marquez. Under Simone’s leadership, the Camorra had caused chaos and even terrorized Kaivan to halt the construction of the hotel in Milan, Italy. After several confrontations and near-missed altercations, Kaivan had managed to push the group back with the assistance of the Witch Hunter Clan.

Kaivan’s significant contribution to saving Theodore Brave’s life (the founder of the Witch Hunter Clan) had earned him a debt of gratitude from the clan. They were determined to assist Kaivan whenever he faced any difficulty.

“I don’t care about them, Mike.” Kaivan finally responded. “If Simone and his followers dare to cause trouble again, this time I won’t hesitate to reduce them to ashes.”

Mike chuckled softly. He had no doubt about the sincerity of Kaivan’s words. With all his abilities and power, Kaivan could do whatever he pleased, including destroying anyone who became his enemy.

“Well, does that mean the renovation and expansion plans for the Four Seasons Milan are confirmed?” Mike inquired.

Exhaling, Kaivan nodded decisively. “Arrange a meeting with the board of directors as soon as possible. We need to discuss this project as soon as we can.”

“Alright, it’s noted in my schedule. I’ll set it up according to your instructions,” Mike replied without taking his eyes off the tablet he held.

“Oh, by the way, Mike.” Kaivan spoke again. “Meet with Meggy, and have her prepare the ballroom for my wedding reception next Saturday.”

Mike immediately raised his face. Frankly, he was startled by this piece of information. “A wedding?” He had to make sure he wasn’t hearing things.

“Yes, next Saturday, Anne and I will be getting married. Please ensure that you and Meggy make all the necessary arrangements. Create a lavish, private yet intimate celebration. I’ll provide you with the guest list as soon as possible.”

Mike was left with his mouth agape, but he nodded, even though he was clearly confused. As far as he knew, Veronica, who had been casually dating Kaivan for a while now, had shown no signs of their relationship progressing to this level. And now, suddenly, Kaivan was planning to marry a woman he had clearly just met.

“Is Mister really serious about this decision?”

“Hmm…” Kaivan glanced sideways. “Have I ever played around?”

“I’m just surprised to hear that Mister suddenly wants to get married. But… as per your request, I’ll work on it right away. Besides the ballroom, are there any other tasks I need to handle for the preparations-”

“A wedding? Who’s getting married?”

From the doorway, a blonde-haired woman walked in without waiting for an invitation. She confidently approached and immediately cut the conversation between Kaivan and Mike.

“Tell me, who’s getting married, Kai?” the woman repeated once she stood right in front of Kaivan’s desk.

“Veronica…” greeted Kaivan. His gaze then shifted to his assistant. “Mike, you can continue your work. Now, please leave me alone with Veronica.”

“Very well, Mister.”

Slowly yet decisively, Mike left Kaivan’s office, leaving the two alone with Veronica.

“Kai, you have to explain what I just heard. I’m very certain you were discussing a wedding just now. Who’s going to get married?” Veronica demanded.

“It’s me,” Kaivan answered without a hint of doubt.

Short, concise, clear, and of course, it succeeded in triggering Veronica’s emotions. She was so frustrated that she scowled.

“You’re seriously marrying that random woman?”

Kaivan blinked once. His hand reached out to grip Veronica’s waist, settling her onto his lap. With a playful air, Kaivan kissed the cheek of the woman who had been his casual date for a long time, whispering in her ear.

“I have to marry her. But this marriage isn’t what you’re imagining. It’s just for formality until I can prove that the child Anne is carrying isn’t my flesh and blood.”

Veronica remained silent. She didn’t respond to Kaivan’s explanation in the slightest. She was too infuriated by the information she had just heard.

“Vero…” Kaivan gently lifted Veronica’s chin, coaxing her to look at his face. “Don’t pout like this.”

Veronica brushed Kaivan’s wrist away from her chin.

“I, who have been with you for so long, have only been a casual date. While that woman, who is nobody, whom you’ve just met, is suddenly being made a wife! You-”

“Sshh…” Kaivan hissed. Before she could finish, Kaivan’s index finger landed on Veronica’s lips, which were coated in red lipstick. “Whatever happens, you’ll always be special. Among all the other women, you’re the one who has lasted the longest by my side.”

Kaivan wasn’t exaggerating about this fact. Even though she was just a casual date, Veronica’s presence had been the most enduring compared to the other women who had been close to him.

“But still, I’m nothing compared to Anne. You’re marrying her, while what about me? I’m not even officially considered a girlfriend!”

Seeing his ongoing frustrated casual date, Kaivan deliberately tugged at Veronica’s nape. He pressed a kiss on her lips, repeatedly and insistently. He caressed both of Veronica’s lips alternately.

Initially, Veronica was reluctant to respond to Kaivan’s kiss. But gradually, she surrendered. She returned the kiss until their activities abruptly halted when someone walked in and immediately addressed them.

“Kaivan!”

****

Anne had just finished taking a shower and was selecting her clothes to wear. As she busied herself with getting ready, she heard a knock on her bedroom door. Hurriedly, she got up and opened the door.

“Aunt Laura…”

Anne could clearly see Laura’s figure standing right at her doorstep. She didn’t know when the middle-aged woman had entered the living space that Anne and Kaivan had been sharing for some time now. What was certain was that there was a distinct expression of surprise on the face of the Korean descendant woman.

“Anne… you’re living here? With Kaivan?” Laura inquired. Even from the tone of her voice, it was evident that she was seeking more explanation.

Anne politely invited Laura to sit in the common area. Once seated together, she tried to provide clarification.

“I apologize for any misunderstanding, Aunt Laura. I hope you don’t misinterpret the situation. Since arriving in London, Kaivan asked me to stay with him so that he could easily watch over and protect me. But we haven’t done anything that goes against societal norms. In fact, we sleep in separate rooms.”

Instead of getting angry, Laura burst into laughter. This reaction perplexed Anne.

“Oh my, Anne. No need to worry. I don’t have a problem with you living with Kaivan. What I actually wonder is why that mischievous child doesn’t just have you stay at his place? After all, Kaivan has a bigger house than having to stay in a hotel like this.”

Anne let out a relieved sigh. She had thought that Kaivan’s birth mother would be furious to find out her eldest son was living with a woman.

“Ah, thank goodness. I was just afraid Aunt Laura would be upset.”

Laura smiled briefly at the beautiful woman before her. “Of course not. Besides, you two are getting married in a matter of days. It’s not an issue if you live together,” she explained. “By the way, where is your future husband? I haven’t seen him since I arrived.”

The question immediately got a response from Anne. “It seems Kaivan is still in his office.”

“Goodness, after being warned to make time, he’s still busy by himself!” Laura exclaimed with emphasis. “In that case, let me catch up to Kaivan in his office.”

Anne reflexively raised her hand to stop Laura from getting up from her seat. “No need, Aunt. Let me call Kaivan. You can just wait here.” She then stood up. “Wait a moment, I’ll go catch up with Kaivan in his office.”

Laura nodded in agreement. While Anne didn’t dwell on it, she quickly left the room, taking large strides to reach the office of the man who would become her husband in a few days.

Finding Kaivan’s assistant absent from his office, Anne took the initiative to enter Kaivan’s workspace directly without knocking or asking for permission first. And of course, when the door opened, she was greeted with a sight that was rather unsettling for her eyes.

Without hesitation, Anne walked closer, right in front of Kaivan’s desk. She cleared her throat and called out with a noticeably loud tone, “Kaivan!”

The one being called turned around immediately. The same went for Veronica, who was currently on his lap. “How can you be so shameless as to engage in such behavior in the workplace, and in broad daylight like this!”

Kaivan shot her a sharp look. “Anne, do you have no manners at all? Why do you always barge into people’s rooms without permission?”

“I told you, Kai. This slut must be causing you a lot of trouble,” Veronica interjected.

“Shut up!” Anne snapped, her eyes glaring sharply as Veronica sneered. She thought, it’s easy for this woman to throw around accusations. “Don’t you ever look in the mirror? Disturbing a married man-to-be like you is more deserving of being called a slut!”

“You-”

Before Veronica could finish her sentence, without hesitation, Anne grabbed the arm of the woman who was sitting on Kaivan’s lap. She forced her to move away.

“Get out of this room quickly!”

“Anne!” Kaivan finally spoke up. “How dare you drive my guest away.”

Anne shifted her gaze to Kaivan. “Why should I be scared? I think what I just did was right. Just so you know, Aunt Laura is in the room right now. If you really want to flaunt your affection with that slut in front of Aunt Laura, go ahead!”

In the next moment, Anne directed her piercing gaze at Veronica again.

“Are you deaf, huh? Leave now, or I’ll drag you out forcibly.”

Instead of being afraid, Veronica sneered and laughed mockingly. “I won’t leave unless Kaivan tells me to.”

Anne clenched her jaw. Her patience, which she had been nurturing, had run out.

“Fine…” Only one word came out of Anne’s lips. Nobody knew what action she might take next until, without warning, she pulled Veronica’s arm again, forcing her to leave the room.

“Kaivan! Help me,” Veronica screamed in pain as Anne forcefully tugged on her arm without permission. She was dragged out of Kaivan’s office.

“Anne, stop it. You’re hurting her! Release Veronica quickly!”

Anne complied with Kaivan’s command. Harshly, she let go of Veronica’s arm.

“This time, I’ll let her go. But next time? Don’t expect it!” Anne then chose to walk away. But before she completely left, she locked her gaze onto Kaivan, speaking firmly. “If you don’t come to the room within the next five minutes, don’t blame me for sharing all our secrets with Aunt Laura.”

Kaivan rubbed his face in frustration. He believed that Anne was serious about her threat. That’s what eventually led him to ask Veronica to leave.

“I’m sorry. I hope you understand my position now.”

Veronica huffed in annoyance. Instead of answering, she walked away without saying a word.

Meanwhile, in Kaivan’s room, Laura patiently waited for her child and future daughter-in-law. She glanced at the clock a few times until Anne arrived, followed by Kaivan.

“Goodness, Kai. Why did it take so long? Didn’t you know that today you have a wedding dress fitting?”

Kaivan let out a soft sigh. He was still a bit annoyed by what Anne did to him and Veronica a few minutes ago.

“I’m sorry, Mom. There was some work I couldn’t leave. But everything is done now. We can go to the boutique.”

Not wanting to waste any more time, Laura got up. Without hesitation, she walked out of the room, with Anne following closely behind.

Seeing his mother walk ahead, Kaivan approached Anne. There were a few things he needed to say to her.

“Don’t mess around with me, Anna Maria. I could easily retaliate even more than what you did to me.”

Anne turned to look at him without stopping her steps.

“Oh, really?” she asked mockingly. “Go ahead and do whatever you want, but remember this well, Kaivan Maximilian… I’m not afraid of you in the slightest.”

After uttering those words, Anne continued on her way, leaving Kaivan behind cursing in anger.

Anna Maria, why are you so infuriating!