Chapter 7 - THE BUSINESS ALLIANCE AND THREAT
Two days after Evelyn’s departure, Moretti Global faced an unexpected corporate hostile takeover attempt.
Competitors sensing vulnerability from Marcus Vance’s arrest began buying up distressed shares on the open market.
At the center of the hostile maneuver was Sterling-Vance Holdings—a shadowy consortium backed by foreign venture capital.
Luca sat in his conference room surrounded by his top legal advisors.
“They’re acquiring shares through subsidiary shell companies,” his chief legal counsel explained, pointing to a complex flow chart on the digital smartboard.
“If they reach thirty-five percent by Friday, they can force a vote and oust you as CEO.”
“Who is behind the shell companies?” Luca demanded.
“We traced the primary funding source to an offshore trust managed by Evelyn Shaw’s family estate,” the counsel replied grimly.
Evelyn wasn't just angry; she was weaponizing her family’s generational wealth to destroy Moretti Global from the outside.
To block the takeover, Luca needed an immediate influx of capital and a strategic partnership with a major Midwestern architectural and real estate firm that held key municipal zoning rights.
And there was only one firm in Chicago that held those rights.
Carter & Associates.
Luca knew what he had to do, humiliating though it might be.
He drove himself to the downtown offices of Carter & Associates that very afternoon.
The receptionist looked up in surprise as the billionaire titan strode into her lobby without an appointment.
“Mr. Moretti,” she stammered. “Mrs. Carter is in a meeting—”
“I don't care,” Luca interrupted, walking past her toward Nia’s corner office.
He pushed the frosted glass door open without knocking.
Nia was standing over a drafting table reviewing architectural blueprints with two senior associates.
She looked up, annoyance flashing across her face.
“Leave us,” Nia told her associates quietly.
They gathered their tablets and hurried out, casting curious glances at Luca.
Nia crossed her arms, leaning against the edge of the drafting table.
“You must be losing your mind, Luca, if you think you can barge into my office unannounced.”
“I need your help, Nia,” Luca said without preamble.
Nia stared at him, genuinely startled.
“My help?” she repeated, letting out a dry, disbelieving laugh.
“The great Luca Moretti, asking for help from the woman he threw out on the street?”
“Evelyn and her family’s consortium are mounting a hostile takeover of Moretti Global,” Luca explained rapidly, stepping closer.
“They’re using shell companies to buy up distressed shares.”
“To block them, I need a controlling partnership with a local municipal zoning holder.”
“Carter & Associates holds the exact downtown revitalization contracts I need to dilute their shares.”
“And why on earth would I do that?” Nia asked calmly.
“Why wouldn't I sit back and watch your empire burn to the ground?”
“Because if Moretti Global falls, the fallout will destabilize the entire Chicago commercial real estate sector—including your firm,” Luca said earnestly.
“And more importantly... I am offering you fifty percent voting control of the newly merged entity.”
“I’m handing you the keys to the kingdom you helped me build.”
Nia looked at him for a long, silent moment.
The tension in the room was palpable enough to cut with a glass cutter.
“I don't want your kingdom, Luca,” Nia finally whispered, walking slowly toward him until she stood mere inches away.
“I built my own.”
“But... if we merge,” she continued, a dangerous gleam in her amber eyes, “I want absolute operational veto power.”
“Agreed,” Luca said instantly.
“And I want public acknowledgment of my sole ownership of Carter & Associates.”
May you like
“Agreed.”
“And most importantly, Luca... you dance to my tune from now on.”
