The atmosphere in the Dimitri Group meeting room felt more serious than usual. Cleopatra sat in her main chair with a sharp gaze, staring at the large screen displaying their business recovery strategy.

Peter Moon was busy organizing documents, while Louis sat with a tense expression.


In the midst of the company's instability, the meeting with Nakamura Corporation was their last chance to save Dimitri Group from collapse.

Cleopatra took a deep breath before looking at Louis.

"You're going to present this proposal."


Louis immediately stiffened.

"Me?"


Peter suppressed a laugh. "Congratulations, Toreto. You've just been promoted to the company's savior ambassador."

Louis looked at Cleopatra with full doubt.

"Cleo, I've never handled major investors like Nakamura. This… isn't my level."

Cleopatra smirked slightly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"That's exactly why I chose you."

Louis frowned. "What do you mean?"

Cleopatra stood up and walked toward him, placing both hands on the table.

"I want to see how you handle the big bosses, Toreto."

Cleopatra's gaze was serious.

Louis swallowed hard, feeling even more nervous.

"Don't worry," Peter interrupted playfully. "If you fail, Dimitri Group will just go bankrupt, and we'll all lose our jobs."

Louis shot Peter an irritated look. "Thanks for the support."

Peter chuckled, while Cleopatra leaned closer and whispered in Louis's ear.

"If you can persuade Nakamura to reinvest, I'll give you a special reward."

Louis froze.

A special reward? What did she mean?

Was that a threat or motivation?

Louis could only sigh and nod in resignation.

"Alright. I'll try."

Cleopatra grinned victoriously.

"Good. Get ready, Toreto. We're going to Japan."

________________________________________

Inside Dimitri Group's private jet, the atmosphere was much calmer, but inside Louis's heart, a storm was raging.

He stared at the laptop screen in front of him, rereading the business proposal he would present to the executives at Nakamura Corporation.

However, his hands trembled slightly.

He had never faced investors at this level.

What if he failed? What if Nakamura still refused and this became the end of Dimitri Group?

Cleopatra noticed Louis's nervousness from her seat.

She closed her laptop, got up, and walked toward him.

Without saying much, Cleopatra placed both hands on Louis's head, making him jolt in surprise.

"Listen, Toreto."

Cleopatra's voice was softer than usual.

"I didn't choose you without reason. I know you can do this."

Louis looked at her in confusion.

"How can you be so sure?"

Cleopatra gave a faint smile, something rarely seen on her face.

"Because you remind me of my father."

Louis was stunned.

That was the first time Cleopatra had compared him to someone truly meaningful in her life.

He wanted to ask more, but before he could open his mouth, Cleopatra suddenly leaned in closer.

Without warning…

She kissed him.

The kiss was brief, just a few seconds, but enough to make Louis freeze in place.

His heart pounded wildly, and his mind went completely blank.

When Cleopatra pulled away, she smirked at Louis's still-shocked expression.

"That was to help you relax."

Then, as if nothing had happened, she turned around, returned to her seat, and reopened her laptop.

Meanwhile, Louis could only stare blankly at his laptop screen, trying to process what had just happened.

Dear God.

How was he supposed to concentrate now?!

________________________________________

The Nakamura Corporation building in Tokyo stood tall with a modern design that reflected the company's power and stability.

As Louis, Cleopatra, and Peter stepped into the conference room, they were immediately met with cold gazes from the Nakamura executives.

Cleopatra wore an elegant black suit, exuding confidence as always.

But today, she wouldn't be the center of attention.

Today, Louis had to prove himself.

Nakamura's chief director, Takashi Nakamura, sat at the end of the long table with an expressionless face.

"I hope you have a strong reason for asking us to reinvest," he said bluntly.

Louis swallowed hard. This was his first time handling such a major meeting, but he had to do it.

He turned on the projector and began presenting the business proposal he had practiced throughout the journey.

"Dimitri Group has indeed faced turbulence recently," Louis started with a steady voice. "However, we have prepared a recovery strategy that not only secures the company but also increases profits for investors like Nakamura Corporation."

The Nakamura executives remained silent, listening with serious expressions.

Meanwhile, Cleopatra, sitting beside him, observed Louis closely.

She was impressed.

Usually, this man would be nervous and panic when facing her.

But now, he stood tall, speaking with confidence, even as the directors pressured him.

The discussion heated up.

The directors bombarded Louis with sharp questions.

"How can you guarantee financial stability in the next six months?"

"What concrete steps will you take to restore the company's reputation?"

"Why should Nakamura trust Dimitri Group after all the recent issues?"

Louis remained calm.

He answered every question with strong arguments, explaining the strategic steps planned to rebuild market confidence and maintain financial stability.

The debate lasted five hours, but Louis showed no signs of giving up.

Finally, the Nakamura directors closed their documents and exchanged glances.

Takashi Nakamura let out a long sigh before finally saying:

"We will reinvest in Dimitri Group, but under one condition."

Cleopatra narrowed her eyes. "Name it."

"Within one week, you must suppress the negative rumors in the media and prove that your company is still worthy of market trust."

Cleopatra smirked slightly.

"Trust me, I will ensure Dimitri Group survives."

She stood and shook Nakamura's hand confidently.

Louis let out a long breath, realizing he had just won his first battle in the high-level business world.

________________________________________

After leaving the conference room, Cleopatra walked beside Louis, but this time, with a different look in her eyes.

Louis had just proven himself.

He was no longer just a poor man who happened to stumble into her life.

Today, he had saved Dimitri Group from deeper destruction.

Her chest tightened.

This wasn't just an ordinary feeling.

She wasn't just impressed—she was starting to genuinely want this man, beyond just a business strategy.

Cleopatra paused for a moment, looking at Louis, who still appeared serious after the long meeting.

She wanted to say something, but for some reason, she hesitated.

For the first time in her life, she felt like she couldn't control her own feelings.

Louis turned to her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Cleopatra smirked slightly, but this time, there was no teasing in her expression.

"I was just thinking… You keep surprising me, Toreto."

Louis chuckled nervously.

"I'm just doing my job."

Cleopatra stepped a little closer, reducing the space between them.

"No. You're doing more than that."

Her heart pounded hard.

For the first time, she truly wanted Louis completely.

Not just as part of her plan.

Not just as a tool to protect her inheritance.

But as a man who could stand by her side.

But did Louis feel the same way?

________________________________________

That night, Tokyo glowed with neon lights reflecting off the glass windows of the luxury hotel where Cleopatra and Louis were staying.

On Cleopatra's balcony, the night breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of rain that had just passed.

She stood there, hands resting on the balcony railing, her eyes gazing down at the city that never slept.

Tonight should have been a night of victory for Cleopatra.

Dimitri Group was saved. Nakamura Corporation had reinvested.

But for the first time, her mind wasn't entirely on business.

Her mind was on Louis Toreto.

Louis stepped out of his hotel room, seeing Cleopatra standing alone on the balcony.

He wasn't sure if he should approach her or leave her alone.

But something inside him pushed him to move closer.

Without saying much, he stood beside Cleopatra, looking at the cityscape before them.

Cleopatra didn't turn, but she knew he was there.

After a few moments of silence, Cleopatra finally spoke.

"You were incredible today."

Louis turned, slightly surprised.

It was the first time Cleopatra had praised him without a teasing tone.

"I was just doing my part," Louis replied with a small smile.

Cleopatra moved a little closer, looking into his eyes deeply.

There was something in her expression softer than usual.

"I don't know how to say this, but… I'm starting to like you, Toreto."