In a luxurious meeting room in downtown Milan, Mrs. Agatha entered gracefully, wearing an elegant ivory suit.
Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas, a middle-aged man with graying hair at his temples, stood to greet her with a smile.
"Ah, Mrs. Agatha," he said, shaking the woman's hand. "I'm glad we could finally meet in person to discuss this major project."
"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Thomas," Agatha replied as she took the seat prepared for her. "This property project has great potential, especially with its strategic location in Italy. I'm confident we can create something extraordinary," she said.
Their conversation was currently focused on plans to build a luxurious residential complex that was expected to become a new landmark in Italy. However, in the midst of the discussion, Agatha's thoughts suddenly drifted to Bryan, Mr. Thomas's only son.
Bryan, a handsome young man with a reputation for being cold yet captivating, had once caught her eye briefly at a social event. Despite his perfect exterior, Agatha couldn't help but wonder if anyone had ever managed to break through his icy walls.
After several minutes discussing designs and market targets, Agatha offered a slight smile, trying to make small talk. "By the way, Mr. Thomas, how is your son Bryan? I heard he's been quite successful with his factories; I even heard he owns several shopping centers and a TV station."
Thomas chuckled softly, sipping the tea that had been served. "You flatter him too much. Bryan is doing well. Busy with his own businesses, as usual."
"Perhaps he already has a girlfriend?" Agatha asked lightly, though her eyes sparkled with deeper meaning.
Thomas shook his head slightly. "As far as I know, he doesn't. He's too busy to think about such things. Why do you ask?"
Agatha gave a subtle smile and responded as if the idea had just occurred to her. "Oh, no special reason. It's just that I thought... if Bryan is still single, maybe I could introduce him to my daughter, Lucia."
Thomas raised his eyebrows, looking both surprised and intrigued. "Lucia, your daughter?"
"Yes," Agatha confirmed firmly. "She's quite beautiful and talented. Though... I must admit, Lucia rarely goes out since she's a rather reserved person. But they once attended the same elementary school, so I suppose they're at least somewhat familiar with each other."
Agatha paused briefly, allowing her thoughts to wander toward bitter memories. To her, Lucia symbolized tragedy. Her beloved husband's death had occurred while he was bringing Lucia home from a school event many years ago. Though she harbored resentment toward her daughter, the idea of marrying Lucia off to Bryan felt like an opportunity too precious to ignore—at least she wouldn't have to see the girl in her home any longer.
"I believe this marriage could be a fresh start for both of them, don't you think? And surely you want a grandchild," she added with a softer tone. "And of course, it would benefit our business relationship, wouldn't it?"
Thomas gave a faint smile, trying to read the hidden intentions behind Agatha's words. "It's an interesting idea. However, as you know, Bryan is quite stubborn. I'm not sure he would agree to something like an arranged marriage."
Agatha smiled confidently. "Ah, Mr. Thomas, no man can truly resist a beautiful woman with the right encouragement, can he?"
Thomas let out a small laugh, but he did not give a definitive answer. In his heart, he knew his son was not the kind of man easily swayed. Still, seeing Agatha's seriousness, he chose to let the conversation flow without immediately dismissing it.
Behind Agatha's cold smile, a well-thought-out plan was beginning to form. If Bryan could indeed be matched with Lucia, it would not only be a business victory—it would also be her way of finally controlling Lucia's fate and removing someone she had long resented from her home.
Mr. Thomas took a deep breath, sipping the warm tea from his cup. His gaze turned serious as he heard Mrs. Agatha's proposal. Truly, the idea wasn't bad, especially from a business perspective. However, his mind was soon filled with worries—not about the advantages, but about Bryan, his only son, who was now the center of this discussion.
Bryan, a handsome man with a chiseled jawline, sharp eyes, and a cold smile, had a reputation that was hard to break. Since childhood, he had been different—too serious for his age and always keeping a distance from those around him. As he grew older, these traits only hardened. Bryan became a man full of control, pride, and aloofness. He was the type of man who moved with confidence but radiated an aura so cold that it made anyone think twice about approaching him.
Thomas knew that Bryan's arrogance was not without cause. After losing his mother at a young age, Bryan had locked himself away from the world. That loss had turned him into someone who distrusted emotional connections. To him, life was about power, control, and gain. He evaluated everything through cold logic and reason, leaving no space for emotions, which he saw as a weakness.
In the business world, these traits made Bryan a formidable player. He could read situations quickly, make decisions without hesitation, and win negotiations that even seasoned men would surrender. But on the other hand, those same traits made it nearly impossible for him to form warm personal relationships.
Thomas shook his head slightly, trying to imagine how Lucia could possibly endure a man like Bryan. "Lucia is a gentle girl, isn't she?" he asked in a softer tone, almost speaking to himself.
Mrs. Agatha lifted her chin and gave a small nod. "Gentle, yes. But she's also strong, even if she doesn't realize it herself. I'm confident she can handle Bryan."
Thomas gave a thin smile, but deep inside, he wasn't so sure. "Bryan is not an easy man, Mrs. Agatha," he finally said, looking seriously at the woman before him. "He's not like other men who can be swayed by a smile or a woman's beauty. He's... how should I put it?"
Thomas paused, searching for the right words. "He's the kind of man who won't surrender to anyone. Everything has to go his way, or not at all. If someone can't keep up with his pace, Bryan won't hesitate to leave them behind. That includes his partner."
Mrs. Agatha gave a small smile, "Perhaps Lucia can change him," she said with a confident tone. "Isn't it often the case that men like Bryan need someone different to soften them? Maybe Lucia is the answer to that."
Thomas chuckled lightly. "That may happen... but more often, it doesn't. I'm afraid Lucia won't be able to withstand Bryan's icy nature. He can break a heart without even meaning to. Bryan isn't cruel, but he doesn't know how to be tender with others."
Mrs. Agatha slowly sipped her tea, trying to hide the small annoyance she was beginning to feel. In her mind, she disliked the notion that Lucia, her daughter, was being seen as weak. Lucia might often be the target of her resentment, but it wasn't because the girl was truly powerless. To Agatha, Lucia was a tool—and a tool must function properly, no matter the cost.
"I think, Mr. Thomas," she said, "Lucia can adapt. Sometimes, girls like my daughter need a challenge to discover their own strength."
Thomas sighed again, his eyes drifting toward the window, gazing at the afternoon sky. He didn't want to hurt Mrs. Agatha's feelings, but he couldn't ignore the reality of his son's nature. Bryan was a difficult man, and Thomas knew that anyone trying to get close to him would face an almost impenetrable wall.
"Bryan... he's like a fortress," Thomas muttered. "He built walls around himself to protect what he holds dear. But those same walls also keep him from truly connecting with anyone."
"And isn't it Lucia's task to be the one who can break through that wall?" Agatha answered sharply, disliking the persistent doubt expressed by Thomas.
Thomas only gave a thin smile, but deep down, he knew Bryan's walls might be too strong for even someone like Lucia to break through. If this arranged marriage were to happen, would Lucia survive it? Or would she be crushed by Bryan's coldness before she even had a chance?