☆Chapter 24: The Tour That Should Have Been☆

Sulking in Recovery

Seraphina sat on the couch, arms crossed, face buried in a pillow.

Sulking.

Lorenzo observed her from his desk.

She wasn't crying. She wasn't whining.

She was just… silent.

Matteo, who was lounging on the other chair, raised a brow.

"That's worse than her usual tantrums."

Lorenzo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Piccola."

Seraphina didn't move.

"Say something."

Still nothing.

Matteo smirked.

"I think she's ignoring you, boss."

Lorenzo's eye twitched.

"Seraphina."

Finally, she mumbled into the pillow.

"My field trip was ruined."

Lorenzo stared at her.

Matteo stared at Lorenzo.

Lorenzo stood up.

"Get ready."

Seraphina blinked.

"What?"

"We're going on a tour."

☆☆☆

The next morning, Lorenzo's men secured an entire museum.

No guests. No crowds. Just them.

Seraphina gasped in amazement as they walked through the grand halls.

Matteo, arms crossed, whistled.

"You really rented the whole thing?"

Lorenzo gave him a look.

"She wanted a tour. She gets a tour."

Seraphina beamed.

"This is way better! I don't have to wait in line!"

Lorenzo allowed himself a small smirk.

☆☆☆

As they walked through the gallery, Seraphina stopped in front of a painting.

A year 1939 oil painting.

The art? A weird patterned, asymmetrical, smug-looking cat, bitting a dead bird"

"Cat catching bird, by Pablo Picasso"

She tilted her head.

"…I like it."

Lorenzo glanced at her.

Then at the painting.

A million-dollar painting.

"Wrap it up."

The museum director choked.

"S-Sir De Luca… that's an original piece—"

"How much?"

"It's monetary value goes up to $179. 365 million... but it's not for sale—"

Lorenzo took out his phone.

"I'll double its appraised value."

The director paled.

"…I'll have it delivered to your estate immediately."

Seraphina grinned.

"Thank you, Papa!"

Matteo snorted.

"You just bought a million-dollar painting because of a distorted cat."

Lorenzo ignored him.

☆☆☆

Lucia, still with a bandage on his head, arrived at the museum.

"Sir De Luca."

Lorenzo studied him.

Still bruised. Still healing. But standing strong.

"Lucian."

Seraphina ran up to him.

"Lucian! You came!"

He smiled shyly.

"I wouldn't miss it."

Matteo leaned over to Lorenzo.

"You're really softening up, boss. Inviting the kid and all."

Lorenzo shrugged.

"He tried to protect my daughter. That deserves respect."

Lucian fidgeted for a moment before turning to Lorenzo.

"Sir… can I have a word?"

☆☆☆

They stood alone in one of the museum halls.

Lucian took a deep breath.

"Sir… I want to be stronger."

Lorenzo raised a brow.

"I was useless back there." Lucian clenched his fists. "I couldn't even land a punch. Seraphina got hurt, and I… I couldn't do anything."

Lorenzo studied the boy.

Determination. Regret. A hunger to prove himself.

"Train me."

Lorenzo's cold eyes softened—just slightly.

"You're willing to take that path?"

Lucian nodded.

Lorenzo let out a slow breath.

"Then be ready."

Lucian's eyes widened.

"You mean—"

"You're under my wing now."

Lucian grinned, bowing deeply.

"Thank you, sir!"

Matteo, who had been eavesdropping, grinned.

"Welcome to hell, kid."