Chapter 217

　　Giovanni's Perspective 　　I stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, holding the latest agreement from Elena in my hand. Outside, the city was shrouded in night, its bustle and hustle as tumultuous as the chaos in my mind. Neon lights flashed, but no matter how long I stared, the view couldn't relieve the weight I felt inside. 　　Elena's image was a nightmare I could barely shake. Her sly, deep eyes always found the most sensitive spots, striking at my fragile defenses. Despite the loathing in my heart, I knew it was only temporary—I couldn't tear off the mask of hypocrisy just yet. 　　"Are you going to keep dragging this out?" Elena's voice suddenly cut through the silence from behind me, laced with a threat I couldn't ignore. 　　I turned around to face her, her overbearing presence almost unbearable. The indifference on her face only made it worse. Elena was wearing an elegant, dark-colored dress, her signature overly confident smile in place, as if she had long since accep