Luciano didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he studied her.
Then, calmly, he said, "We don't react. We control."
Estrella frowned. "Control what?"
"The narrative," he replied. "By tonight, no one will question this marriage."
Before she could respond, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Max.
A bad feeling crept into her chest.
She picked up immediately. "Max?"
"Estrella, where are you?!" his voice came out rushed and panicked. "There are reporters here—at the café. They're asking about you!"
Estrella froze. "What?"
"They're saying you're married to Luciano Banks! Reporters are taking pictures, and it's getting out of hand—"
Estrella glanced at Luciano before saying, "Just keep the doors shut. I'll be right there."
She ended the call and turned to Luciano.
"Max said there are reporters at the café."
"Good," Luciano muttered.
Estrella frowned. What is good about this situation?
"Go get dressed," Luciano said.
Though she didn't understand his reasoning, Estrella got up immediately and went to change.
At Caffè Rosso
Max stood inside the café, the doors locked. He glanced anxiously outside as reporters swarmed the place, demanding he open up.
But he didn't dare.
Just then, a fleet of cars pulled up in front of the café.
The reporters instantly rushed toward them.
They didn't need to be told who it was—they already knew.
The bodyguards stepped out first and opened the car door. Luciano emerged.
Everyone waited for Estrella to follow—
But instead, Luciano walked around the car and opened the door himself.
He stretched out his hand.
Estrella took it and stepped out.
The crowd froze in shock.
Did the infamous Luciano actually open a car door for someone?
Unbothered by their stares, Luciano walked forward, Estrella's hand in his, heading straight for the café.
The reporters snapped out of their shock and surged forward, only to be held back by the bodyguards.
Still, they shouted questions.
"Is your marriage fake?"
"Mr. Banks, were you forced into the marriage?"
"Is the Banks family going to accept a gold digger as a wife?"
Estrella paused.
Her gaze turned cold as she looked at the reporter who spoke last.
For a moment, she wanted to hit him.
But instead, she turned to Luciano, her expression suddenly aggrieved.
"Cian… he called me a gold digger."
Luciano's heart skipped slightly.
Cian?
Even knowing she was acting, something about the way she said it irritated him.
His gaze turned icy as he looked at the reporter.
"Expect a lawsuit."
Berry immediately noted the reporter's name from his badge.
A chill swept through the crowd.
A lawsuit from Luciano was no small matter.
The reporter tried to rush toward Estrella, but a bodyguard grabbed him and dragged him away.
"You can't do this! I didn't mean it!" he shouted desperately.
His voice soon faded.
The remaining reporters became cautious, choosing their questions more carefully.
Luciano ignored them all and walked into the café with Estrella.
The reporters were left confused.
Wasn't he here to address the rumors?
But then again…
Luciano Banks never explained himself to anyone.
Just as disappointment settled in—
A middle-aged man stepped forward.
"Good day, everyone," he said. "I'm here to clarify something. Mrs. Banks is the real owner of this café."
The reporters froze.
"What?"
"In fact, she owns the entire district. I'm the property manager, and I personally handled the transfer of ownership to Mrs. Banks."
To prove it, he presented the documents.
Cameras flashed instantly.
That was all the proof they needed.
Why would someone give a fake wife an entire district?
The marriage had to be real.
The reporters quickly dispersed, eager to publish the news.
Inside the Café
Estrella let out a breath of relief as the reporters left.
She didn't know what Luciano had done, but the problem was gone.
That was all that mattered.
Max stepped forward nervously. "G-Good day, Mr. Banks."
Luciano spared him a brief glance but said nothing.
"I'm leaving," he said to Estrella.
He had already handled the situation. There was no reason to stay.
Estrella nodded. "Okay."
But as he turned to leave, she called out—
"Wait."
She rushed to the coffee machine and quickly made a cup.
Then she returned and held it out to him.
"Here."
Luciano looked at her, slightly confused.
"What?" she said. "You didn't even have breakfast because you were rushing me. Take it as compensation."
For a moment, Luciano said nothing.
Then, unexpectedly—
His heart warmed.
He hadn't expected this "gold digger" to have such a thoughtful side.