After Daniel's car disappeared around the bend, silence returned to the garden.
But it wasn't the same silence as before.
It felt heavier.
As if something had just been set in motion.
Veronica was still staring at the gate when Leon finally spoke.
"Did you know he was coming?"
She shook her head.
"No."
Leon studied her expression, as if trying to decide whether to believe her.
"He called," she added. "Said he was across the street."
Leon let out a quiet breath.
"Has he always been impulsive?"
"Not always."
"Then something changed."
Veronica paused.
Daniel had always been intense.
But this…
This felt different.
Sharper.
More aggressive.
"I think he's trying to convince me that you're dangerous," she said.
Leon almost smiled.
"I can imagine."
"And you?"
He glanced at her.
"What about me?"
"Do you think he's dangerous?"
Leon looked back toward the gate.
"Not yet."
"Not yet?"
"But men in love tend to make bad decisions."
Veronica crossed her arms.
"He's not a villain."
"I didn't say he was."
"Then why do you both look ready to go after each other?"
Leon answered calmly.
"Because sometimes… two people want the same thing."
Veronica frowned.
"And what exactly do you both want?"
Leon looked straight at her.
"You."
Her heart skipped—unexpected and unsettling.
"This isn't a competition."
"For him, it might be."
She said nothing.
Because deep down…
She knew Leon was probably right.
They went back inside.
The atmosphere in the mansion felt different now.
Tenser.
Leon walked straight to the office.
"I need to make a few calls."
Veronica stopped by the door.
"Is there something I should know?"
He hesitated for a brief second.
"Maybe."
"That's not very reassuring."
Leon sat behind the desk.
"When multiple companies start canceling contracts at the same time, it usually means one thing."
"Pressure?"
"Exactly."
"Do you think Daniel is behind it?"
Leon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.
"I think someone wants me to believe that."
Veronica blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"Daniel might have canceled one contract."
"But not all of them."
She started to understand.
"So there's someone else involved."
Leon nodded.
"Most likely."
Veronica sat down across from him.
"Does this have anything to do with what happened to my family?"
"I don't know yet."
He picked up a tablet and turned it toward her.
"Look at this."
She leaned in.
The numbers weren't her strength, but the pattern was clear.
Companies.
Investments.
Contracts being terminated.
"This started before our marriage," she said.
Leon nodded.
"A few weeks before."
"So someone was already planning this."
"It seems that way."
A chill ran through her.
"Do you think the same person who destroyed my family is coming after you?"
Leon didn't answer right away.
"It's possible."
She leaned back in the chair.
"This is starting to feel dangerous."
"I agree."
His phone rang.
Leon answered immediately.
"Yes."
He listened for a few seconds.
His expression shifted.
"I see."
Veronica noticed instantly.
"What happened?"
He ended the call.
"Another contract canceled."
She exhaled slowly.
"How many now?"
"Four."
"In one day?"
"Yes."
She ran a hand through her hair.
"Daniel doesn't have that kind of power."
"I don't think so either."
"Then who is doing this?"
Leon stood and walked toward the window.
The city stretched endlessly beyond the glass.
For a moment, he seemed distant.
Calculating.
"Someone who wants to put both of us in the same position."
Veronica looked up.
"You and my family?"
Leon turned to face her.
"Exactly."
Silence filled the office again.
But across the city…
In another building…
Daniel sat behind a desk covered in reports.
One of his employees stepped in.
"Mr. Armand, the contract cancellation has been confirmed."
Daniel nodded.
"Good."
"But there's something strange."
Daniel looked up.
"What is it?"
"Other companies are also canceling contracts with Alighieri Corporation."
"I know."
"You ordered that?"
Daniel frowned.
"No."
The employee hesitated.
"Then who—"
Daniel didn't answer.
He walked toward the window.
The city looked calm.
Too calm.
Something wasn't right.
He had started a small pressure campaign against Leon.
Nothing major.
Nothing that could bring down an empire.
But this…
This was something else.
Something bigger.
Daniel picked up his phone.
On the screen was a photo of Veronica.
He stared at it for a few seconds.
"What is going on…?"
Because for the first time—
He began to suspect that he wasn't the only one trying to take Leon Alighieri down.
And if that was true…
Then all of them were stepping into a game far more dangerous than they had imagined.