28. "Assumption: In Nova Plaza's Incident Unknown Hand"

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Lucien and Vivienne were sitting in the personal cabin of Lucien, which he used for his moments of relaxation. Despite being a plain, ordinary cabin, it had an elegant and luxurious feel to it that spoke volumes about the owner's taste and style. The soft lighting and plush furnishings added to the overall ambiance, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Despite the comfort of their surroundings, the silence between the two of them was palpable, and Lucien was eager to break it.

"So, what do you think of your store's position? Is the exposure enough, or do you think we need to make some changes?" he asked, hoping to spark some conversation.

Vivienne took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "I think it's great as is. The exposure is perfect for my store's needs. But I have to admit, I never expected to find out that you own shares in this plaza," she said with a shake of her head.

Vivienne was taken aback when she learned that the Sterling family owned shares in the prestigious Nova Plaza, the crown jewel of Novus City.

When Lucien had first suggested the location to her, she had thought he was joking. But upon seeing her store nestled amongst the other high-end boutiques in the plaza, she knew he was serious. It was clear that Lucien had a lot more going on than what he let on to the public eye.

As she sipped her coffee and listened to Lucien talk, Vivienne couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the man sitting across from her. He was a true enigma, with hidden depths that she had yet to discover.

As he spoke, his voice was measured and precise, each word carefully chosen and delivered with a sense of quiet confidence.

"It was just a small investment at first," Lucien explained, his eyes alight with a sense of wonder and surprise. "But who knew that after all these years, this plaza would become such a success?"

Lucien couldn't help but smile at the memory of the moment when he had first laid eyes on the plaza. It had been a rough around the edges, with cracked pavement and worn-out storefronts. But now, it was a shining beacon of success, with brightly lit storefronts and bustling crowds.

As Lucien continued to speak, Vivienne found herself becoming more and more grateful for the opportunity that he had given her. Her Delightful Desires store had been met with overwhelming success, with consumers flocking to it in droves.

"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you," Vivienne said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "Your investment has truly made all the difference in the world for me and my business."

"Who knows how much profit the Company would earn annually? I do have lifetime permission, after all, to open the store in the plaza. I also don't have to pay the astronomical amount of rent as I have received a 40% discount because of Lucien," she thought.

"No, it's fine. You don't have to do anything to express your thanks to me," Lucien waved his hands as he spoke.

"No...no, it just won't do. Maybe for you, it's not a big deal, but for me and my company, it was a big favor you did!" Vivienne said with a serious face.

Vivienne knew very well the big impact this opportunity would have on their company. They were still recovering from the attack caused by the hacker not long ago.

Remembering that incident, she couldn't help but thank him, "Also Lucien, thanks for lending me your cloud servers and helping to solve that mess!"

"Hahaha! It's no problem. Didn't I say before, ask me whatever you need help with? We are a family now," Lucien laughed at her cute gesture while reminding her that she didn't have to be hesitant in asking anything from him.

"I know that, and I am not opposed to it or anything, but I do need time to adjust myself," Vivienne said, feeling uncomfortable from his stare.

Vivienne felt like she was caught between a rock and a hard place, torn between her responsibility and her desire to flee. The weight of the decision was crushing, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that she would never find someone as understanding and capable as Lucien.

"Creeck!"

As she opened her mouth to speak, the sound of a creaking door interrupted her. Joan Doe, Lucien's trusted assistant, entered the room with a respectful bow towards his boss and a polite greeting towards Vivienne.

"It's alright, Joan. What's the status of the investigation?" Lucien asked, noting that he and Vivienne had been sitting there for over an hour now.

Joan nodded and handed over a smart pad, explaining that the investigation had been successfully carried out and that the report was detailed within. As Lucien pored over the information, his eyebrows creased in confusion.

Lucien's expression was one of pure bewilderment as he digested the report's contents. "How is it possible for glass to move on its own?" he asked, perplexed.

Joan Doe, too, was at a loss. "They're still trying to figure that out, Boss. But their assumption is that someone must have been involved."

Lucien's interest was piqued. "So, they believe that this incident was caused by someone. Joan, did you manage to find out who those two girls were?"

Joan nodded. "Yes, Boss. The two girls are college students, hailing from middle-class families. Their names are Riana Williams and Anshi Brown, and they frequent the Nova Plaza, mostly to visit the Delightful Desires store."

Lucien took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, make sure to inform the hospital that their fees will be paid by the Sterlings, and any expenses they incur as a result of this incident will be taken care of as an apology."

Joan immediately picked up his phone to make the necessary arrangements, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. It was clear that Lucien had everything under control, as always.

Vivienne watched the exchange with a mix of admiration and apprehension. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt as she thought about the two innocent girls who had been caught up in this mess. She wondered what their families must be feeling at that moment and hoped that they would recover quickly.

As she sat there, lost in thought, she couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden beneath the surface of this seemingly tranquil city. She knew that there was more to this situation than met the eye.

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