Chapter 79 As Leo practically became Henryâs shadow, his squeaky clean image quickly captured the mediaâs attention. Every small act of kindness lie performed was portrayed as another significant achievement in his career. Charitable donations, community service, and public appearances were all carefully orchestrated to enhance his image. The media and the public ate it up.
Not only did Leoâs genuine reforms begin to soften the business communityâs stance. towards him, but he also gained a loyal fanbase. A group of diehard supporters, including an army of blind fangirls, rallied behind him, creating an online presence dedicated to singing his praises. They posted about him relentlessly, celebrating his every move, night and day,â
I couldnât help but feel aghast as I watched him publicly participate in one staged event after another. He attended charity galas, donated to orphanages, and took part in cancer awareness walks. The more Leo appeared in the media, the more the public seemed to fall under his spell, mesmerized by his seemingly altruistic actions. The truth was, they only saw the surface. What they didnât see, what I could see clearly, was that underneath his calculated kindness, there was something far darker at play.
Leoâs fans were ecstatic to see him back on the ice rink, and there was no doubt that his return to his rightful place in the business world was a step forward. The situation had shifted, and everyone was on his sideâeveryone except me. I alone saw beyond his polished image, beyond the charity work and the mediaâfriendly gestures. I knew that the more Leo tried to appear kind and generous, the more trouble would be waiting for us.
down the road.
One evening, Leo paid a visit to my office. He arrived just as the last rays of sunlight were fading, and his presence immediately brought an unsettling sense of warmth to the otherwise sterile space.
âMiss Laura, the weather is lovely today,â he said smoothly, his smile disarming. âI thought we could enjoy these croissants together.â
He handed me a box of freshly baked croissants, the delicate scent filling the air. As if on cue, he offered to make me coffee, all the while wearing that everâpresent, polite mask.
Chapter 79 You must be tired after work, Leo continued, a voice syrupy sweet. âPlease allow me to do this for you.
His movements were deliberately slow, almost choreographed. He wandered to the pantry, his every action designed to win the admiration of the office. It wasnât lost on me that a few employees, drawn by the spectacle, were watching intently, whispering under their breaths. They were in awe, and I could see why âMr. Leo is such a gentleman,â one of them whispered. âIt was Melody who hurt Miss Laura, not him.â
I almost rolled my eyes. It was too obvious, his theatrics were working like a charm on them. But I wasnât fooled. Leo might have been offering me coffee and croissants, but the murderous glint in his icy eyes told me all I needed to know. This wasnât about kindness. This was about control. He had never been the type to admit defeat, and I was cure this was just part of a larger, more calculated scheme.
When Leo placed the coffee in front of me, I didnât let him continue with his charade.
âYouâve been quite busy these days, Leo,â I said, smiling gently, addressing him by his first name for the first time in a long while.
âIt seems like youâve finally grown out of your bad influences.â
Leoâs eyes sparkled with the kind of pride only someone like him could feel. âOh, you flatter me, Miss Laura,â he replied, his tone as humble as a man with a thousand secrets. âIâm just trying to do good.â
I knew better than to believe a word of it. As we sat in my office pantry, I noticed the subtle click of mobile cameras. Some of my staff were recording us, no doubt prepared to leak the footage to the press the moment they could. But I didnât mind. There was no harm in free publicity, especially when it was working in my favor.
I leaned in, playing the part of the grateful, moved businesswoman. âAlthough your career is facing a tough time, LB Cooperation is honored to sign you as a substitute player in the silver category.
I slid a document across the table, the terms and conditions clearly outlining the minimum contract. It was a far cry from the kind of lucrative deals he had been used to in the past. I was watching closely for any shift in his expression, anticipating the moment when his pride would crack, and his façade would crumble.
Chapter 79 But instead, Leo calmly picked up the pen and signed the papers without even glancing at them I canât thank you enough for this opportunity, Miss Laura,â he said, his voice sincere yet strangely devoid of emotion. âPlease trust me. I wonât let you down.â
âOh, you wonât,â I said with a scoff, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Startled, I looked up to find my secretary, Brigh standing at the door. His gaze was fixed on Leo with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
âYou have a history of disappointing Laura, Mr. Leo,â he said, his voice low and almost dangerous.
The words hung in the air like a challenge, and for the first time, I saw the faintest flicker of doubt in Leoâs eyes. But whether it was regret or anger, I couldnât tell.