The heavy double doors of the grand office creaked open, revealing a man nervously clutching a sleek black envelope. The dim lighting of the room only intensified the intimidating aura of the man seated behind the massive mahogany desk. Luigi Giovanni, a name that struck fear and admiration in equal measure, sat in his tailored black suit, the subtle gleam of his cufflinks catching the light as he signed a document with sharp precision.
His piercing blue eyes, framed by dark brows, flicked upward as the man hesitated in the doorway. "Speak," Luigi commanded, his deep, authoritative voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
The employee swallowed hard, taking a cautious step forward. "S-Signor Giovanni," he stammered, holding out the envelope. "This…this is an invitation from the university you sponsor. They've requested your presence at a seminar."
Luigi's gaze dropped to the envelope, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath. He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable, and extended a hand. The man quickly placed the envelope into Luigi's palm, retreating a step as though the very air around his boss burned with intensity.
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The Invitation
Luigi studied the elegant embossing on the envelope before opening it with deliberate care. He scanned the contents, his sharp features betraying no emotion as he read the formal request for his attendance at the seminar. It was a carefully worded plea, highlighting his generosity as a sponsor and the importance of his appearance for the university's prestige.
For a brief moment, a flicker of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. How convenient for them to remember his existence when they needed a symbol of power and wealth to parade around.
"They've grown bold," Luigi murmured, more to himself than to the man before him. His voice was laced with both amusement and menace.
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The Decision
The employee cleared his throat nervously, unsure whether to speak. "Should I…uh, decline on your behalf, Signor Giovanni?"
Luigi's eyes snapped up to meet the man's, freezing him in place. "Decline?" he repeated, his tone icy. "And waste an opportunity to remind them who holds the power in their ivory towers?"
"N-No, of course not, sir," the man stammered, his face pale.
Luigi leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his fingers steepled. "Tell them I'll attend. Make it clear that my time is valuable, and they'd do well not to waste it."
"Yes, Signor Giovanni. Right away." The man practically bolted from the room, eager to escape the intensity of his boss's presence.
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In the Shadows of Power
Alone once more, Luigi leaned back in his chair, the letter still in his hand. His expression shifted slightly, his lips curving into a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes. He thought of the scholarship program he had funded—an investment more than an act of generosity. It was a way to ensure a steady flow of indebted talent, handpicked and groomed for future usefulness.
His mind lingered briefly on the list of recipients, though none stood out in particular. They were just names to him—tools for his grander plans. He set the letter down, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk.
The seminar would be a spectacle, a chance to observe the beneficiaries of his so-called generosity and to remind the university of the strings attached to his funding. For Luigi Giovanni, everything was a calculated move, and this event would be no different.
He reached for the glass of whiskey on his desk, swirling the amber liquid thoughtfully. The seminar was just another stage, and Luigi Giovanni always commanded the spotlight.