☆Chapter 32: Bargains and Butterflies☆

"Grounded?"

Seraphina's eyes widened as she stared at her father.

Lorenzo's cold gaze was unwavering, his arms crossed as he towered over her.

"Yes." His voice was firm.

"For how long?" Seraphina blinked innocently, her tone deceptively sweet.

"A month."

Seraphina's jaw dropped.

"A month?!"

Lorenzo raised a brow.

"You lied to me."

"Technically, I didn't lie." Seraphina muttered, avoiding eye contact.

"Seraphina."

"Okay, okay!"

Seraphina bit her lip, her mind racing.

"But… what if we make a deal?"

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"A deal?"

"Yes." Seraphina's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"You know… instead of grounding me… how about I come with you to work again? Like when I was a kid?"

Lorenzo's expression didn't change.

"And why would I agree to that?"

"Because…" Seraphina leaned closer, her smile sweet and dangerous.

"You know I'll find a way to sneak out anyway."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

She had a point.

"And…" Seraphina tilted her head, her voice turning softer.

"I miss spending time with you, Papa."

Lorenzo's eyes flickered.

For a moment, the cold facade wavered.

"You're manipulating me."

"I learned from the best." Seraphina grinned.

"Fine."

Lorenzo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"But you stay by my side the entire time. No sneaking off."

Seraphina's smile widened.

"Deal."

☆☆☆

The next morning, Seraphina bounced into Lorenzo's office, her face beaming.

"Ready, Papa?"

Lorenzo glanced up, his gaze cool as always.

"We're not going for fun, Sera."

"Of course." She smirked.

"I'm here to learn."

Lorenzo gave her a skeptical look but didn't argue.

"Let's go."

☆☆☆

Lorenzo's office was a picture of organized chaos.

Piles of documents, contracts, and financial reports covered his desk.

Seraphina settled beside him, her eyes darting curiously around the room.

"Stay quiet."

Lorenzo's voice was low, but Seraphina could sense the tension.

"Got it, Papa."

But of course, staying quiet wasn't her style.

As Lorenzo focused on the meeting, discussing business alliances and territorial disputes with his associates, Seraphina's boredom began to creep in.

Her eyes wandered to her father's perfectly combed hair.

An idea struck.

☆☆☆

Operation Butterfly Begins!

Seraphina pulled out a small pouch from her bag.

Inside were colorful ribbons, butterfly clips, and tiny flower ornaments.

Her eyes gleamed.

"Perfect."

Lorenzo was too focused on the conversation to notice when Seraphina slipped behind him, her tiny fingers already weaving ribbons through his hair.

"Seraphina…" Matteo whispered, sitting nearby and watching with wide eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"Shh."

Seraphina grinned mischievously as she secured a tiny pink butterfly near her father's temple.

One by one, the clips and ribbons found their place.

Matteo's lips twitched as he fought to contain his laughter.

Even Lorenzo's top advisors struggled to keep a straight face.

Lorenzo, however, was oblivious.

"If we push for expansion without securing supply lines…"

Lorenzo's voice was sharp, his mind focused on the intricacies of the business deal.

Seraphina, meanwhile, hummed softly as she twisted another ribbon into his hair.

"Papa, tilt your head."

Lorenzo tilted, completely unaware of her crafty work.

Then, the realization hits. Lorenzo's brows furrowed.

"What are you—"

"Almost done!"

Seraphina grinned, adding the final touch—a glittery butterfly clip right in the center.

☆☆☆

"We should finalize the deal within the week."

Lorenzo stood up, his expression deadly serious as he closed the meeting.

"I expect updates by tomorrow. Dismissed."

As his men filed out, Matteo lingered behind.

"Sir…"

Matteo's voice trembled, barely holding in his laughter.

"What?" Lorenzo raised a brow.

"You… might want to look in the mirror."

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

"Just… trust me."

Lorenzo turned, catching sight of his reflection in the large glass window.

Silence.

Seraphina bit her lip, trying to stifle her laughter.

Lorenzo's hair…

Ribbons. Flowers. Butterflies. Everywhere.

"Seraphina."

Lorenzo's voice was dangerously calm.

"Yes, Papa?"

"Explain."

Seraphina blinked innocently.

"I was… bored, but to be fair... you never looked cuter, Papa!"

Matteo couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Pfft—HA!"

Lorenzo's glare was enough to make grown men tremble, but Mateo doubled over, laughing so hard he had to clutch his stomach.

"Matteo…"

"I'm… I'm sorry, sir."

But the grin on his face said otherwise.

"Sera…" Lorenzo's voice was a mix of frustration and disbelief.

"Why?"

"Because…" Seraphina shrugged, her tone turning serious.

"You looked too stressed."

Lorenzo's expression softened for a brief moment.

"And… I was listening."

Lorenzo's brows furrowed.

"Listening?"

"To the meeting."

Seraphina stood up, her hands on her hips.

"The supply line issue? You're focusing on the wrong port. If you reroute through the secondary route near the north docks, you'll cut down costs by 15%."

Silence.

Matteo stopped laughing.

Lorenzo's eyes lightened.

"What did you just say?"

Seraphina blinked.

"The north docks. It's more secure and less expensive. You'd also avoid potential sabotage from the rival families."

More silence.

"She's… right." Matteo murmured, his eyes wide.

"How…?"

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"I told you, Papa." Seraphina smiled sweetly.

"I was listening."

☆☆☆

Lorenzo stood still, staring at his daughter.

Seraphina's eyes gleamed with confidence, her innocent facade barely hiding her sharp mind.

"You're too smart for your own good." Lorenzo's voice was low.

"I get it from you, Papa."

Lorenzo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Next time…"

"Yes?"

"Leave the butterflies out of it."

"No promises." Seraphina's grin was wicked.

Matteo snorted.

"We're doomed."

"You have no idea." Lorenzo muttered, but for the first time in a while…

A sight of the future head of De Luca in action, leave a small smile tugged at his lips.