Lucrezia walked into Luther's office on Monday morning full of confidence. She had the key to destroying not only Luther, but his whole family.
If the fact that he was a belladonna got out, not only Luther will be isolated and left to die without any companionship, but his family would face jail for breaking the law regarding poisonous flowers and lose their position as one of the most powerful families the state had.
With such ace up her sleeve, Lucrezia was sure she would get her exclusive contract with the Parliament, but have Luther and his family as her servants.
-Welcome, madam Akna, greeted Luther.
-Thank you, darling. Should we go directly to the point? I'm sure all the bureaucracy will have to deal with will fill our day.
-I doubt it.
Lucrezia chuckled. "We'll see how much longer you'll keep up the arrogance, kid". She took a sip of the tea arranged on the table. The sweet taste matched Lucrezia's anticipation of this win.
-I'll be direct with you, honey. I want full exclusivity contact as the only heat inhibitors and stimulus providers with the Parliament. I also would like a more appropriate sum of money for it. Isn't the time to be cheap, don't you think?
Luther looked unimpressed at her in full silence. Lucrezia smiled charmingly.
-Your secret is rather big for a stranger to keep. So I was thinking: who could you even trust with such information, but family? My dear nephew Killian is ready to sacrifice himself and take your hand in marriage even if you are such a danger to him.
Lucrezia faked a tear. She wiped it up dramatically from the corner of her eye.
-Such a sacrifice should be rewarded, right? We would gladly accept 20% of every asset, stock and property of the Willers family. Also, as you know our family is developing a new medicine to numb the effects of poisonous flowers like you. Killian would be such a great husband, giving you the newest updates on this drug and monitoring your side effects.
-So, let me be clear, you want more money and exclusivity from the Parliament, you want me to marry your nephew and give 20% of my family fortune while I became a lab rat for your company to experiment on?
-No need to be dramatic about it. It's a small price for your freedom and your family's social position. Of course, you could refuse. Let me describe to you that course of action. I know omega's have a hard time with big thoughts.
-Right, scoffed Luther.
Not only this woman was a dreadful being, greedy and insatiable, but she was also an omegaphobe too?
-My poor Killian ended up in the hospital because of your pheromones.
-Because he was testing your new drug with me and it failed.
-All of the public knows the first stages of developing a medicine are based on trial and error, Lucrezia dismissed him quickly. Anyway, he would let the media know what frightening side effects your pheromones left of him. Poor kid. Of course, the consequences will be your isolation and your family losing everything. Akna Pharmaceuticals would gain a reputation as a morally led company and the new head of People Affairs would surely do business with us to avoid any future scandals.
Lucrezia theatrically shrugged her shoulders.
-But to destroy the career and family of a such hardworking nice young man seems unnecessary to me.
-How merciful of you, said sarcastically Luther.
-I'm a businesswoman through and through, but I can't help but have a soft side. If you weren't such a natural atrocity, I would have even married you, admitted Lucrezia shamelessly. Your public image is impeccable and your looks are not half bad. I could have taught you so much. But you'll have to settle for my nephew. He's much more… simple-minded, but there are much worse matches there for you.
-I gotta admit, madam, you left me speechless.
-No need for more words. Just sign the papers, dear, and follow my instructions. I'll have your best interest at heart. After all, you're about to become family.
-One flaw in your masterpiece plan tho, said Luther smiling.
-What?
-I am not a belladonna.
-Hah, dear, don't lie to me. I know the truth. Look at you, concealing the corner of your eyes since puberty. Being a virgin at your age. And your pheromones? Don't insult your future aunt-in-law's intelligence like that. You don't wanna get me mad.
Luther ripped the bandages off, revealing the petals imprinted on the corners of his eyes. Instead of the yellow-fading into-purple petals of the belladonna, it unveiled the green-pink dotted leaf of a Pink Dalmatian Aglaonema.
-It can't be…
-Semi-toxic. Lawful. The blackmail you tried to pull? Not so much.
-It was a mere suggestion, Lucrezia cleared her throat.
-A mere suggestion I have tapped, said Luther pointing to the flower vase sitting on his desk.
From between the flower tulips, a small camera was shining.
-Now, let me make it clear to you, enunciate Luther. I will keep the contract as it is at 50% with the promise I get to test the new medicine and regulate its use with my own laws. The amount you'll be paid will remain the same. The only thing changing will be the representative of your company. I couldn't care less if you represent your company in your little side businesses, but the Parliament will be conducting affairs only with Killian as the representative.
-WHO ARE YOU TO MAKE ORDER IN THE COMPANY I GAVE BIRTH TO? yelled Lucrezia.
-The one who got you on tape. Let's see if you don't accept my "mere suggestion". You will fall from the Parliament's graces, making you lose all reputation. Of course, you can turn into a shady company, but you'll be a small fish between the already big sharks ruling those waters. It's only a matter of time before you'll get eaten by them or caught by the police.
Luther smiled mischievously.
-But I would hate to bankrupt an old lady. I have a soft side like that. You could have been my mother. If you weren't such a horrible greedy bitch.
-How dare you?
-You said you would have taught me a lot. To me, it seems like you're more of the student and I am the master. Of course, no matter what my second gender would have been, I would rather face isolation and shame than marry you.
Lucrezia gazed arrows at the young omega. To say she was angry was an understatement. Each breath she took was a struggle against the overwhelming tide of frustration and disappointment, as her voice trembled with the effort to contain the storm brewing beneath the surface.
-You'll pay for this, Willkers.
The woman left the office, shutting the door behind her loudly.
Luther smiled in relief, finally being able to breathe. He can't believe his plan worked.