"I am alone, just here with my mother. She is sleeping now," Celine replied haltingly. She tried to steady her breathing so her voice would not betray her nerves.
"How is your mother? I asked John, but he said you would not allow him into the room." Leo's voice was flat, yet an authoritarian tone slipped through, as if he were interrogating a subordinate.
Celine glanced at the closed door, imagining John, the guard Leo had sent to watch over her. "My mother is fine. Her surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, so it looks like I will be at the hospital until late tonight."
"In that case, I will let you go. I have business to attend to. Do not forget to eat," Leo said curtly. Before Celine could respond, the line went dead with a cold click.
Celine stood in silence, slowly lowering the phone from her ear. She stared at the now dark screen with a furrowed brow.
Why has he been so attentive since this morning? she wondered.
Leo's shifting moods were like a roller coaster. At one moment he acted as cruel as a devil, but in the next, he could pretend to be a caring husband.
"I think I should leave now, Celine," Kevin whispered, checking his watch anxiously.
Celine gave a firm nod, trying to steady herself. "Okay. I will head out first to buy something. Use that gap to slip out without them seeing you."
Celine took a deep breath, adjusted her shoulder bag, and walked toward the door. As soon as it opened, she was met by John and Thom, two sturdy guards standing as stiffly as statues in front of the room.
"I want to go downstairs to buy something," Celine said in a flat tone, attempting to sound like a bored lady.
John and Thom exchanged a quick look and nodded in unison. "Of course, Ma'am," John replied. Without further question, they turned and followed her, maintaining a professional distance behind her.
Celine led the way, intentionally quickening her pace toward the main hallway leading to the hospital cafeteria. Once they rounded a corner and vanished from the view of the room, Kevin seized the opportunity. He hurried out, walking quickly in the opposite direction and disappearing among the crowd of visitors before the guards could realize he was there.
***
Leo walked toward his father's office on the top floor of the headquarters. There sat Richard Alexander, Chairman of Blackwood Holdings, Inc., a business titan with subsidiaries reaching into nearly every sector in America.
Leo entered the vast, cold room, followed by Martin who walked with a steady gait behind him.
"I have been waiting for you, Leo," Richard said without looking up. His gaze remained locked on the stack of documents before him until he finally set down his gold pen.
"Sit. There is something serious I wish to discuss," Richard commanded. He rose from his massive chair and walked toward a leather sofa in the center of the room, his aura dominating the space.
Once Leo sat, Richard took the seat opposite him. His eyes darted sharply toward his son's personal guard. "I want to discuss this privately. Would you ask your guard to step out?"
"Martin," Leo said simply. It was a code his man understood perfectly.
"Very well, Sir. I will wait outside," Martin said politely. He bowed respectfully and stepped out, closing the heavy oak door slowly until only a chilling silence remained in the room.
Richard leaned back, staring straight at his son. "I have made an appointment with the Miller family. You understand my meaning, do you not, Leo?" His voice was low, yet heavy with an intimidation that tolerated no refusal.
"I understand perfectly," Leo answered firmly. He knew where this conversation was headed and refused to appear weak before his father.
"If you want Blackwood to be truly unshakable, you must marry the Miller girl. Was she not a schoolmate of yours back in high school?" Richard asked, his tone more of a statement than a question.
"Yes. But we were not close," Leo replied flatly.
Richard stood and walked back toward his expansive desk, turning his back to Leo as if the matter were settled. "Think carefully about this plan to unite two great powers, Leo."
Leo stood up, adjusting his crisp jacket. "If there is nothing else to discuss, I will take my leave."
Richard watched Leo's retreating back with sharp eyes. "Do you think I do not know what you have done, Leo?" Richard said with a bitter smile.
***
Leo sat in the back of his car, restless. His jaw was clenched tight, and his fingers tapped an irregular rhythm against the armrest.
"Does my father already know that I married Celine in secret?" Leo asked sharply, his eyes fixed on Martin, who sat beside Axel.
"I do not know for certain, Sir," Martin replied cautiously.
"I DO NOT NEED THAT KIND OF ANSWER!" Leo exploded. He slammed his fist against the back of the front seat, startling Axel at the wheel. The sound of the impact echoed through the soundproof cabin.
"My apologies, Sir. I will confirm it immediately," Martin said quickly, trying to neutralize the situation without looking back.
Leo's breathing was heavy, his chest heaving as he fought to contain his overflowing rage. He felt as though his father had eyes everywhere. The thought that Richard might already be aware of his movements filled Leo with dread.
"Axel, drive. Mr. Leo has a meeting in ten minutes," Martin ordered the driver.
Axel hit the gas, speeding the black car forward. The atmosphere inside the cabin remained tense and silent, broken only by the sound of Leo's ragged breathing.