Chapter 163: Chapter 163 Cassidy
The Moretti Group’s building stood tall in the middle of the city, catching everyone’s attention with its height and shining glass walls. It was one of the tallest buildings around, made of smooth steel and dark glass that reflected the sky and lights below.
The entrance had wide glass doors and clean stone steps. Two guards stood on either side, dressed in black, their faces calm and unreadable.
Inside, the building was quiet. The floor was made of smooth marble that clicked softly under shoes. A faint scent of expensive cologne hung in the air. People walked through the halls, their suits neatly pressed, their voices low. No one loitered. Everyone seemed to know where they were going. It didn’t feel like just an office—it felt like stepping into the center of something powerful, where every second mattered.
Stella stepped into the grand lobby, her high heels echoing softly on the polished marble floor. She looked up at the gold-accented ceiling and almost ground her teeth in jealousy.
If she hadn’t run away... this could’ve been hers.
If she hadn’t made that mistake... she could’ve been queen of this empire.
"Woah..." gasped the girl beside her.
Her name was Cassidy—sharp eyes, sleek ponytail, and a hunger for luxury. Cassidy’s eyes lit up at the sparkling chandeliers, the glossy floors, the scent of expensive furniture and power in the air.
If she played this right, she’d not only become Stella’s lucky charm but also get a steady, well-paid job and permanent access to this world of wealth.
Cassidy didn’t care if Stella’s goal was to win back her cold, drop-dead gorgeous ex-fiancé.
Everyone deserves second chances, she thought casually.
And the woman currently married to Leonorado? Probably just some nobody.
They squeezed into a normal elevator alongside a few regular employees, both women slightly frowning at the cramped space.
"This is not what I imagined," Stella muttered under her breath, her voice sour.
After a few long stops, the elevator dinged at the highest floor.
Stepping out into the top-level executive lounge, they were led down the hallway to the meeting room.
"You’re here," came a flat, unimpressed voice.
Jay.
He was leaning against a secretary’s desk, lazily flipping through some documents, but the second he saw Stella, his whole expression soured like he bit into something rotten.
"I assume you’re Jay?" Stella said politely, though her tone carried pride. She had heard a lot about Leonorado’s younger brother with pink hair. The black sheep. The wild one.
Jay raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down. "Do I know you?"
Cassidy blinked. For a moment, her breath caught.
That’s Jay Moretti?
The boy with pink hair, stunning blue eyes, and a mischievous face that looked like he stepped out of a magazine cover. His ripped jeans, open jacket, and white shirt made him look effortlessly rebellious. His skin was smooth and fair, lips naturally pink.
Cassidy’s heart skipped. For a moment, she forgot what they even came here for.
"Jay, I’m Stella, and this is my friend Cassidy," Stella said, forcing a tight smile onto her face like she still had the right to act important.
Jay didn’t bother smiling.
Instead, he slowly dragged his eyes from Stella to Cassidy... and frowned.
"Follow me," Jay said casually, already turning his back on them.
Stella’s heart jumped. Is he taking us to Leonorado? Finally?
Today, she had dressed with a purpose—tight black designer dress that hugged her figure just right, showing off her sculpted waist and long legs. Her lipstick was a deep cherry red, adding a pop of color to her soft makeup. She had even curled her hair to look effortless. Let’s see who can ignore me now.
As Jay walked ahead, they followed, heels clicking sharply on the marble floor.
But then—
He turned to the stairwell.
"One floor down," he said over his shoulder.
Stella blinked. "Wait... we’re not taking the elevator?"
Jay stopped on the first step and looked back at her like she had asked if the sun rises in the west.
"Why would I waste electricity for one floor? Be grateful I didn’t ask you to crawl," he said with a lazy smirk.
"And besides..."—his gaze flicked to Cassidy—"...a little sweat’s good for health, don’t you think, Miss Cassidy?"
Cassidy nearly stumbled.
"Of course," she said quickly, her voice two octaves softer than usual. Her eyes were fixed on the tattoo just peeking from beneath the collar of his loose jacket, trailing the curve of his neck like it was made to be admired.
God, even the way he walks looks expensive.
Stella noticed the way Cassidy was staring and barely hid the venom in her eyes.
Traitor.
She forced a smile on her lips and pushed down her irritation, pretending she wasn’t already regretting wearing six-inch heels.
After a short climb, Jay pushed open a sleek black door.
The second they entered, the atmosphere shifted.
Inside was an entirely different world.
The room was dark, but in a controlled, tech-heavy way. Large LED monitors stretched across one wall. Multiple screens flickered with live CCTV footage from different angles of the building. Some showed server logs. Others had scrolling code, files, and red warning notifications.
Cassidy gasped softly.
Stella’s expression froze for a second. This wasn’t Leonorado’s office. This wasn’t a meeting room.
This... was a high-level surveillance and hacking room.
Jay led them down the corridor, the sound of polished shoes echoing against the marble, until they reached the tech center where Leonorado was standing near Salvatore. Both men were watching the large screen, analyzing lines of data and network spikes.
The room was dim except for the cool blue and white glow of the monitors, which cast sharp shadows on Leo’s sharp cheekbones and jawline. He was wearing a dark charcoal shirt, sleeves rolled halfway up his arms, revealing the tension in his forearms as he pointed at something on screen.
His brows were drawn, expression cold, the kind of focus that made him look untouchable—dangerous in the most delicious way.
"Bro!" Jay called out, walking in with hands in pockets. "Your runaway bride is back—this time with her genius hacker friend."
At his words, both Leo and Salvatore turned toward the two women.
Stella stood straighter, brushing invisible dust off her dress. Cassidy adjusted her clutch and put on her best confident smile, though her heart was hammering. Being this close to such powerful men... made everything feel real.
Cassidy’s eyes shifted quickly to Jay again.
His pink hair was messy but styled, and his blue eyes were framed by thick lashes that looked almost unreal. His earrings glinted faintly in the light, and his loose black jacket fell off one shoulder, exposing the tattoo at the base of his neck again.
He wasn’t even looking at her but she was already sweating.