A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER LV

The long-anticipated day had arrived. The air in the conference room of BK.Co was thick with tension, as two of the most powerful business entities stood at the brink of a critical decision. Matteo De'Luca, representing his empire, sat at one end of the table, exuding confidence despite the underlying storm that had been brewing in his life. Opposite him was Carter D'Angelo, who wore a calm, collected expression, but his eyes betrayed the underlying competition between them.

BK.Co’s CEO, Mr. Whitman, and the Chairman, Mrs. Bala, both sat at the head of the table, reviewing the final two presentations. Their expressions were neutral, but everyone in the room knew the stakes were sky-high. This deal would tip the scales of power for either the De'Luca or D'Angelo groups.

Carter stood confidently at the front of the room, his presentation in full swing. He moved smoothly through the slides, outlining strategic points that mirrored much of what Matteo had prepared for his own proposal. The more Carter spoke, the more apparent it became that their ideas, their approaches, even some of the specific strategies, were strikingly similar.

Matteo sat back in his chair, his face an unreadable mask. However, beneath the surface, a storm of realization was brewing. He had suspected something like this ever since he learned of Mia's betrayal. The information Carter was using wasn’t just coincidentally similar—it was too aligned with what Matteo had been preparing behind the scenes. He knew that someone had fed Carter details about his strategy. And now, seeing it unfold, Matteo's suspicions were confirmed.

But instead of letting anger cloud his judgment, Matteo allowed a smirk to curl at the edge of his lips. He had anticipated this. It was why he had worked on a secret plan, something not even Mia had known about. While Carter stood before the room, thinking he had the upper hand, Matteo was already two steps ahead.

As Carter continued, Matteo’s mind raced through the next steps. His initial plan may have been compromised, but his real strategy was still safely tucked away, ready to be unleashed when the time was right.

When Carter finished, he gave a quick nod to the room, clearly satisfied with his performance. The board members gave polite applause, impressed by his smooth delivery. Carter turned slightly and shot a glance at Matteo, his eyes gleaming with triumph. He thought he had Matteo cornered.

Matteo met his gaze, his smirk still in place. He straightened his suit and stood to take his turn, a quiet confidence radiating from him. He didn’t need to rush; Carter had played his hand, and now it was time for Matteo to reveal just how much further ahead he was.

As he walked to the front of the room, he felt the weight of every eye on him. But it didn’t matter. He had been here before—on the edge of a high-stakes game where one misstep could mean everything. Only this time, Matteo was certain of his next move.

He began his presentation calmly, smoothly, making sure to focus on the elements Carter hadn’t mentioned—the hidden parts of the plan no one else had seen. His voice was steady as he detailed innovative approaches and unforeseen opportunities that would not only secure BK.Co's future but elevate their standing on a global scale.

As Matteo laid out his proposal, the board’s interest visibly shifted. Their initial admiration for Carter’s presentation faded, replaced by curiosity and focus on Matteo’s unique insights. Each slide unveiled a new layer of strategy that Carter couldn’t have predicted, showing just how much deeper Matteo’s understanding of the market ran.

By the time he finished, there was no mistaking who had outplayed whom. Carter may have tried to copy Matteo’s work, but he couldn’t copy his vision.

Matteo returned to his seat, his smirk a little wider. Carter’s face had lost some of its earlier confidence, his jaw clenched as the realization sunk in. Matteo wasn’t just a competitor—he was playing a completely different game.

The atmosphere crackled with silent tension, each party waiting for the final decision. Matteo’s presentation had been strong, a strategic masterpiece that left no room for doubt about the financial benefits BK.Co would gain by partnering with his group. Yet, Carter’s presentation had been equally compelling, his charm and knowledge on full display.

As Mrs. Bala reviewed the documents before her, she leaned slightly toward Mr. Whitman. The entire room felt like it was holding its breath, the moments ticking by excruciatingly slow. Matteo’s mind was racing, not just about the deal, but about the events of the past week—Isabella, his betrayal by Mia, and the need to keep his composure in the midst of personal turmoil. He could see Carter across the table, looking too calm, too satisfied, and it gnawed at Matteo’s nerves.

The boardroom door opened, and a representative from BK.Co entered, placing the final reports on the table. Mrs. Bala cleared her throat, pulling everyone’s attention back to her. "Gentlemen," she began, "both of your proposals were impressive, and BK.Co stands to gain greatly from partnering with either of your groups. After thorough deliberation, we are ready to finalize our decision."

Matteo’s jaw tightened as he kept his expression neutral, but internally, he was bracing himself. He knew how much this deal meant, not just for business, but for his position in the field. He glanced briefly at Carter, whose faint smirk made Matteo’s blood boil. Carter’s confidence was dangerous, and Matteo was all too aware that something more was at play here—something beneath the surface.

Before Mrs. Bala could continue, Carter interjected with a charming smile, “I’m sure no matter the outcome, this partnership will be beneficial for all involved. After all, business is about building bridges, not walls.”

Matteo’s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the underlying taunt in Carter’s words. But he remained silent, refusing to rise to the bait. He had been observing Carter carefully, and despite the smooth exterior, Matteo knew his rival was up to something. The challenge now wasn’t just about the deal—it was about uncovering Carter’s hidden cards before it was too late.

As Mrs. Bala prepared to announce their decision, Matteo’s mind raced with possibilities. Would this be a turning point for him, or was Carter one step ahead, waiting to deliver a final blow? The answer was just moments away, and whatever happened next would change the game entirely.