Why the Mafia’s Wife Kills Chapter 16
A month later, the Lombardi Group shareholders’ meeting.
I wore a tailored black pantsuit, perfect makeup, hair in a neat updo.
I looked sharp and in control.
Lucius drove me there and waited in the parking lot.
“Nervous?” he asked.
“A little.” I said.
“Don’t be nervous.” Lucius fixed my collar gently.
“You’re a shareholder. They can’t do anything to you.”
“Mm.”
I got out and walked into the Lombardi building.
The receptionist knew me but still tried to stop me.
“Miss Simone, you…”
“I’m here for the shareholders’ meeting. Is there a problem?”
The receptionist glanced away and stepped aside immediately.
“No-no
-no problem. The conference room is on the top floor. Right this way.”
My heart beat faster as the elevator went up.
I wasn’t just nervous. I was excited.
The conference room was full.
Dante sat at the head, surrounded by board members.
Everyone went silent when I walked in.
Dante stood up. “Simone, you…”
“I’m a shareholder.”
I walked to an empty seat and sat down.
“Can’t I attend?”
Dante looked around at the others, then sat back down.
The meeting started.
Mostly quarterly reports and plans for the next quarter.
I listened carefully, taking notes occasionally.
When it came to a vote on acquiring a tech company,
most directors approved. Only two opposed.
Dante looked at me.
“Simone. Your vote?”
Every eye in the room turned to me.
I closed my notebook and spoke slowly.
“I vote NO.”
A murmur exploded through the room.
“Reason?” Dante asked.
“The company has good technology, but their finances are fake.”
I said.
“I looked into their books. It’s a scam.
Buying them now is far too risky.”
“How would you know?” one director demanded.
“Because I did my research.” I looked at him.
“Unlike some people who only look at surface numbers.”
The director’s face turned bright red.
Dante stared at me. “Simone, this is a board meeting, not a game.”
“I know that.” I said.
“And I vote NO. With twenty percent of the shares, I have that right.”
In the final count, the proposal failed because of my veto.
Dante looked furious, but there was nothing he could do.
After the meeting, he stopped me.
“Simone. Did you do that on purpose?”
“Do what?” I pretended innocence.
“Oppose me just to fight me.”
“Dante, I’m a shareholder. I’m protecting my investment.
That company is a disaster. Check again if you don’t believe me.”
Dante said nothing, just stared.
“I’m leaving if there’s nothing else.”
I turned and walked out.
I ran into Freya at the elevator entrance.
Her stomach was already slightly rounded.
She instinctively covered it when she saw me.
“Simone…” she whispered.
“Don’t call me that.” I said.
“We’re not friends.”
Freya bit her lip.
“Dante and I are getting married.”
“Congratulations.”
“Will you come?”
I glanced at her. “What do you think?”
She fell silent.
The elevator arrived. I stepped in.
Before the doors closed, I saw Dante walk over
and put his arm around Freya, whispering to her.
She leaned against him, smiling happily.
I leaned against the elevator wall as we went down.
I suddenly felt tired.
But not heart-tired. Just physically tired.
I walked outside into bright sunlight.
Lucius was waiting by the car.
He walked over when he saw me.
“How did it go?”
“Fine.” I said.
“I voted no. The proposal failed.”
Lucius smiled.
“Well done.”
“Why don’t you ask why I opposed it?”
“Because I trust you.”
Lucius opened my car door.
“I know you have your reasons.”
I climbed in and fastened my seatbelt.
My heart felt completely at peace.
Dante, Freya, the Lombardis-all in the past.
I never lacked the courage to start over.