Secretly A Billionaire: His Ex Wife Regret

Five

The air was cold in that office after the sharp reprimand by Vittoria Lombardi. Workers looked furtively at one another seemingly not knowing what to say or do next, while Cassio calmly and unhurriedly approached the door leading out.

"Mr. Moretti," called Vittoria after him-authoritative voice drowning the murmurs-"I would like to speak with you privately in my office."

Cassio hesitated a second before nodding. Of course, Ms. Lombardi.

He followed her down the sleek hall to the big corner office. The room, much like its occupant, was in glass from floor to ceiling-framing a view of the city skyline-minimalistic decor screaming power and sophistication. Vittoria waved him to take a seat and he did as directed.

"Would you like some coffee?" she offered much more relaxed now.

"No, thank you," said Cassio politely.

Vittoria leaned back in her chair, folding her hands on the polished desk. “I’m going to get straight to the point, Mr. Moretti. Your departure would be a significant loss to this company. I’ve been reviewing your performance, and it’s clear that you’ve been an exemplary employee. Not just in your work ethic, but in your ability to maintain composure and integrity in challenging environments.”

"Praise heard, Ms. Lombardi," Cassio replied with a flat tone.

"I mean it," Vittoria was saying, emerald eyes locking with his. "You have shown qualities few have in this job, and I think you are ready for more responsibility. I'd like to offer you a promotion to project manager. The new position does include a substantial salary raise and even better benefits.

Cassio furrowed his brow slightly, but he said nothing.

"I know this must seem very sudden," Vittoria said, misjudging the look. "But I have watched the way you handle yourself under pressure. You are a natural leader, and I want to see you shine. You deserve better than this job has given you so far.".

Cassio exhaled softly. "Appreciate the offer, Ms. Lombardi. Truly. But my mind has long since been made up to leave. It is not about the position or the money; it is all about needing to move into something else. Something right for me."

Vittoria's eyebrows drew together in a line of disappointment. "I respect your decision, Mr. Moretti, but somehow, I think this company is losing one of its finest assets.

Sometimes, one needs to move on," Cassio replied softly.

Vittoria didn't get to say much, as her phone started to buzz annoyingly on the desk. Instantly, she frowned at the caller ID. "Excuse me, I need to take this."

Cassio nodded, pushing his chair back, ready to leave her to it, but she waved him off. "It's okay. This won't take long."

She took the receiver, that she answered with formal politeness, "Vittoria Lombardi speaking.

The voice from the other side was loud enough to allow Cassio to catch bits of the talk.

"Ms. Lombardi, this is about the funding for the Diadem Expansion Project. I'm so sorry, but Alessandro Rossi decided to pull out his investment."

"What?" The fall of Vittoria's voice was laced with disbelief and frustration. "Why? We have secured approvals, and in the last meeting, he showed so much interest in the project."

"He cited the concerns over probable risks. I am sorry, but he is firm in his decisions."

Vittoria clamped her jaw and ball-fisted her free hand. "This is unacceptable. I will speak to him personally."

The line went dead, and Vittoria inhaled deeply as if to pull herself together.

"Is everything okay?" Cassio asked with genuine concern.

She shook her head, apparently exasperated. "One of our big investors just pulled out of a very important project. Unless I fix it, it might affect the whole course of the company."

Cassio said nothing; he knew she was stressed.

"I really must be off," Vittoria said, rising and snatching her coat. She moved toward him. "Thank you for listening, Mr. Moretti. I hope you find what you're looking for in life."

"Ditto," Cassio said with slight inclination of his head.

Vittoria hastened to leave the office, while Cassio stood a moment longer, staring out the grand window before him at the sprawling city now mirroring endless choices laid out in his life. After one last look around, he silently left the office to take the next step in his journey.

As Cassio walked out of the office building, Vittoria’s troubled expression lingered in his mind. He had overheard snippets of conversations during his time at the company—casual remarks about tight budgets and delayed supplier payments. It wasn’t difficult to piece together that the withdrawal of Alessandro Rossi’s investment was a serious blow, one that might sink the ambitious project Vittoria had poured her energy into.

He stopped on the pavement, his hands in his pocket, brooding. "Why would Rossi back out now?" he muttered to himself. "It just doesn't add up unless he is trying to manipulate the company into a vulnerable position.".

Cassio straightened, and possibility became one he could neither ignore nor turn his head to Vittoria's plight. She was among the select few who treated him as a human being despite his lowly position. His jaw set with resolution.

"If she needs an investor," he whispered, a small smirk tugging on his lips. "then she's about to get one she doesn't expect."

---

The door of the office burst open, and Cassio was back inside. His colleagues turned, their faces scrunched up in distaste, to glare at him.

"There he is," Tommaso said, leaning against his desk, arms over his chest. His voice was loud enough to hear across the room. "The delivery boy who thinks he's above the rest of us.".

Another friend, Matteo, encored, "Word has it you ran to Ms. Lombardi crying about us and now we all have to pay the price. Literally."

Cassio froze; his chill gaze turned on the group. "I don't remember complaining about anybody," he said in an even tone.

"Don't play innocent," Tommaso snarled, inching closer. "Our salaries just got cut, and you're the only one who entered her office today. Coincidence? I don't think so."

Cassio crossed his arms, placid but unyielding. "Instead of pointing fingers, maybe you should seek understanding as to why your performance isn't worth the pay that you feel is due to you."

The room went quiet. Tommaso's face flamed beet red. "Watch your mouth, Moretti," he spat. "You think you're untouchable? You're nothing but a delivery guy—a nobody."

Cassio's lips arced with a slim smile. "If you really think that, you're in for a rude awakening."

"Basta!" A sharp voice sliced through from the doorway. Vittoria strode in. Her commanding presence cut off the murmurs. "What's going on here?"

Tommaso bristled; the wind was taken out of his sails. "We were just… having a discussion, Ms. Lombardi."

"Funny, it sounded more like harassment," she said icily, her eyes scanning the group. "If any of you have an issue with your salaries, you can take it up with me. But I will not tolerate baseless accusations or petty behaviour in my office."

The employees exchanged furtive eye-glances but said nothing.

"Good," Vittoria said shortly. Her eyes flashed at Tommaso. "And if I hear one more word of disrespect toward Mr. Moretti, you're out of here faster than you can bat an eye."

She turned to Cassio. "A word, Mr. Moretti?"

Cassio nodded. He followed her back toward her office.

---

Once inside, Vittoria motioned for him to take a seat. "I'm sorry you had to put up with that out there," she said, sitting down behind her desk. "It's inexcusable."

"I've dealt with worse," Cassio replied lightly.

She considered him a long moment. "I meant what I said earlier. You have far more potential than you realize, and I'd hate to see you go before realizing it."

Cassio leaned back in his chair. "I appreciate your faith in me, but the verdict has been passed. But maybe I have another way to serve the company."

Vittoria cocked her head to one side. "I'm listening."

"You do have a problem of cash flow, right?

The flicker in her face was but for a moment, and she nodded. "Yes, Rossi pulling out puts us in a bit of a spot of trouble. We're able to survive at the moment, but the Diadem Expansion Project is compromised."

Cassio's eyes narrowed. "I think Rossi did it on purpose. He wants to weaken your position, maybe so that he can get hold of the project himself at a cheaper price."

She clenched her jaw. "It has crossed my mind, but I can't accuse him without proof.

"Then let me be your solution," Cassio said.

She blinked. "What do you mean?"

He repeated calmly, "I'll invest in the company. Enough to secure the project and stabilize your finances. But I'll only do it on one condition: full discretion".

Vittoria stared after him, dumbfounded. "Invest? Cassio, no offense, but where would you-

"You don't have to concern yourself about that," he said briefly, without unbending an inch. "Think of it as my way of thanking you for the way you have treated me. You are better off without some Rossi screwing up everything that you have worked for."

Her eyes went tender. "I… I don't know what to say."

"Say yes," he said succinctly.

She hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Alright. But I hold you to your word about discretion. I don't need any more surprises."

"Neither do I," Cassio said with a slight smile, getting up to go.

While stepping out of her office, he was already busy in his mind about the logistics. He would become the single largest shareholder in the company; and when that happened, all these guys he'd worked with for years would see what a grave mistake they had made, underestimating him all this while.