A few days have passed since my lunch with Ivan. I’ve debated telling Stefano about it, but given his tendency to act rashly when it comes to Ivan, I decided to hold off until I was certain about how to approach the situation.
Those thoughts fade to the background as the car comes to a halt. Tonight is my inauguration Gala as the new COO of Lopez Constructions. I still can’t quite believe it. Dad had no choice but to accept me as Santiago’s choice, given that I hadn’t made a single misstep with any of the projects under my care. But his threat to remove me at the first sign of failure still echoes in my mind. I’m determined not to give him that chance. If anything, I’ll make him see that Santiago’s decision was the best one possible.
I step out of the car, smoothing down my gold tulle dr
