I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE THAT MAN

And Lucas, with an approving smile, said:

—So determined… I wouldn't want to be that man.

And Liana replied:

—It's better if you're not —she said, looking out the car window, observing the city's brilliance and beauty, not allowing herself the chance to feel.

When they arrived home, she only noticed because Lucas opened the door for her. Liana, surprised, stepped out, and before Lucas could enter, she was already inside. She didn't say goodbye, but Lucas only thought:

—She's really upset.

And when Liana reached her room, she sighed, thinking:

—Don't be upset. This is your game, and no man can beat you at it —she said, laughing aloud—. I should sleep, but I don't feel like taking the time to remove all this clothing and jewelry—I don't sleep with everything on. But I feel like it would be uncomfortable… Better to sleep with nothing and feel fresh. Then again… I'd feel uncomfortable without trust or safety.

But instead, Liana put on some pajamas and laid down, thinking:

—What will my mood be like tomorrow… calm or angry?

As her eyes slowly closed in peace.

The next morning, Lucas entered Liana's room and called:

—Miss, wake up.

But Liana didn't want to, saying:

—You work for me, anyway. You're the manager, and I'm the boss. A manager represents the company.

And Lucas replied, with his cold face:

—I won't do it.

Liana, still sleepy, got up and came downstairs, slightly dazed. But before she could fully descend, she noticed all the employees were gathered at the entrance. Surprised and still half-asleep, she asked:

—What's going on?

And Lucas replied:

—They've sent gifts.

And among them, Liana saw that painting, and immediately got angry, storming down the stairs without care, shouting:

—A knife!

And Lucas immediately handed her one, saying:

—I knew this would happen.

And Liana cut the painting without mercy. About the jewels, she said:

—I don't want them.

And one of the men delivering the gifts said:

—There are two cars included.

And Liana replied:

—I don't care.

And the man said:

—The gentleman said that if two cars weren't enough, then four cars and more jewelry would be sent.

And Liana answered:

—He won't stop...

And the man added:

—There are more gifts.

And Liana responded:

—I'll keep the four cars and the jewelry. But they're not worth as much as I am. Still… they'll do as accessories.

After that, one gift after another kept coming in until, a few minutes later, they finished and left. And Liana just burst out laughing, thinking:

—Men recognize my value more each time. The more expensive their offers, the higher my value rises. And even if they offered nothing, I'd still be too much… because I'm beautiful, gorgeous, and narcissistic. Because beauty means nothing unless you give it value.

And Lucas, with a cold face, said to everyone:

—Don't be afraid. She's just enjoying herself.

And as the employees watched her, they lined up. And Liana thought:

—I have three female employees. All of them are beautiful. They deserve a jewel just as beautiful as they are. I chose them not just for their beauty, but for their work—because I prefer quality over quantity. And I have two male employees at home: one is handsome, and the other is average. But both are good at what they do.

And Lucas added:

—Don't worry. She's just scanning you. She won't fire you or do anything cruel.

And Liana said:

—Ladies, each of you take the jewel that best matches your beauty. I won't accept any belittling of your own looks. And to the men: choose either a jewel or a bonus, whichever you prefer.

And Liana thought:

—The bodyguards are also handsome… But Lucas always handles them.

And as she turned back toward the stairs, she added with a cold expression:

—Bring everything up after I leave, and Lucas will take care of the rest. Oh, and that destroyed painting that was burned… make sure there's not a single trace left of its ashes or its existence.

Lucas, checking his phone, said:

—Today is the reception you're invited to.

And Liana replied with a playful smile:

—Would it be too showy if I took them all with me? And could I even find the right outfits at this hour? Though really, it's just five: three women and two men. Maybe there will be a grand event today… if I'm not mistaken, Leonard will be there, Aurora, Alexandra's mother (though her family went bankrupt and her daughter died, after her husband). But when she returned to her nation's family, she inherited everything and became the pampered daughter once more. And truthfully, she's beautiful and very young-looking, although she's already old. Also attending will be Benjamin's whole family. And all the powerful families, and the best in the entertainment world.

Lucas interrupted:

—Miss, it will look flashy. But it's wrong to want to take everyone. It'll make you look like a powerful… and dangerous woman.

And Liana replied:

—Then let's go as always: you and me… and the bodyguards. If you think they're too flashy, leave them. Just the two of us.

Lucas responded:

—Alright. Either way, we're all going. For now, you should get dressed, or we'll be late.

Liana went back to her room. She showered, but didn't take long today. As usual, she looked at herself in the mirror and thought:

—What should I wear? I feel like all my clothes are nearly the same color… but I know! How about black jeans with a crop top and a black jacket? That's fine. There has to be a "normal" outfit day.

Half an hour later, Liana was ready. She messed up her hair a little—but not too much—to match her appearance.

When she came downstairs, Lucas looked her up and down and said:

—You surprise me every day. But please, could you take off those high heels? If you wear them now, you won't be able to wear heels later. Your feet will be tired. Instead, wear these sneakers.

And Liana said:

—They're new. What else?

Lucas replied:

—They have a tracker... just in case you're ever kidnapped. (Though I doubt it).

Liana replied:

—You know me well. I'd say I might disappear without explanation someday, but I'd tell you I'm fine. If I don't at all… then I didn't leave. I was kidnapped —she said with a cold expression.

Lucas replied:

—Okay, I'll keep that in mind. For now, you may continue. You'll have breakfast at ten.

And Liana replied:

—Okay, but we can leave now.

Lucas replied:

—We're already outside. I'm just waiting for you to get in the car so I can get in too.

Liana simply got in the car, thinking: I'm so distracted.

And while they drove, Liana checked her phone and saw that people were already placing bets on who Leonard would appear with this time. Some were betting on Liana, others on someone else.

And Liana said:

—They're wrong. None of them will win the bet. Or at least… I think so —she said, her eyes reflecting her selfish thirst for blood.

And Lucas, glancing sideways, said:

—Mmm… I saw it. I don't think anyone's going to win anything, though I don't know about the other conflicts. But, Miss, may I ask when you'll officially present yourself as the new owner of…?

And Liana replied:

—I want it to stay this way for as long as I can. I don't want to give explanations.

And Lucas responded:

—As you wish.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the office, and all the new workers were already there. But Liana didn't look at that boy, and with a small smile, she said:

—He wasn't given permission.

While heading to her office, she sat down saying:

—Why do I have so much work? But this isn't something I can't handle. After all, I studied hard to graduate in business.

As Liana worked at her computer and Lucas reviewed some papers, someone knocked at the door.

And Liana said:

—Come in.

It was that boy, who entered with a smile and said:

—I brought the signed permission. I can start working today.

And Liana, smiling, said:

—You're good. I imagine you begged your mother or father to sign it. Then you can start working right away.

The boy, grateful, said:

—Thank you very much.

As he was leaving and closing the door, Liana said to Lucas:

—Tell me a bit about that boy's life.

And Lucas, with his cold face, replied:

—He started studying very early. His family is poor—not middle class surviving poor. They're from the slums, where there's always conflict. His mother worked in many things to support him, even selling things on the streets. Over time, he finished his studies, and in the middle of his adolescence, he found the vocation he would specialize in. Being smart helped him graduate quickly.

And Liana, smiling, replied:

—That boy slightly reminds me of myself. I lived in a similar environment. And not because my family was doing poorly, but because the place I lived in didn't bring me peace. Especially because I always felt above everyone else. And not because I wanted to. It's just that they never had thoughts as diverse or elegant as mine. I was never in their mindset. While they felt pity, I didn't run to anyone. Instead, I thought about the evil in both, justifying and not justifying the harm others caused. Also, people thought I always saw myself as better—but I wasn't. I just couldn't stand others touching me, even if it was just my clothes, because I felt they were dirty… and they made me feel dirty. And I didn't want to be another piece of scum in their system.