Leonid felt like the biggest jerk; he shouldn’t have left Amelia alone at the restaurant with her parents. Anger and upset had clouded his judgment. He couldn't believe he had thrown away everything his mother had taught him. The words she had imparted offered some solace.‘Act like you don't hear it.’Reacting to Mrs. Harrington's comments made no difference. They would continue to perceive him in the same way. His wife wasn't home yet, and he suspected she might have become intoxicated; anything could happen in that state. He paced restlessly, picked up his phone, and dialed her number. The phone rang multiple times before transferring to voicemail."Hello, this is Amelia Harrington Vanderbilt. Please leave a message."Leonid tossed his phone onto the bed but instantly retrieved it, remembering the potential consequences of its damage. He couldn't afford to replace it. He heaved a sigh of relief as the phone landed safely. He took it in his hand and dialed her number again."Hi, it'

The men stared at Leonid like he was crazy. After all that they had told him, he still stood his ground and refused to sign. X2X smiled and picked up the baseball bat. He raised it up and attempted to slap it on Leonid’s head. "You will kill him that way," Scorpion said. "Hit him little by little; he would have no choice but to answer." X2X dropped the baseball bat; he held the rubber glove in his hand and snapped it with a menacing grin. The sound of the snap echoed in the air, chilling anticipation of what was to come. Leonid's heart pounded louder, and his breath was ragged as he stood there, determined yet terrified. He knew he was trapped, cornered by circumstances he couldn't control. But he couldn't let them break him. He couldn't let them force him into a decision that he knew was wrong. As the rubber glove was pulled onto X2X's hand, Leonid's gaze hardened. He met the man's eyes, a defiant glint burning within his own. He wouldn't allow them to strip away his dignity, no m

"No master! We have the right person. The leader claimedLeonid stared at them, confusion written all over his face. He does not belong to any powerful family to be called a young master. Leonid shrugged his shoulders and forced himself not to laugh."It can’t be me; maybe I am your young master; do we look alike?"The leader's head was still bowed when he responded. "We are sure of whom we are talking to. Come with us; we will take you to the hospital. You are bleeding."Leonid wanted to argue with them, but he suddenly remembered his wife. His eyes shot up, and concern swept through his face. He tried to move away from them to find his wife, but pain shot through him."Young master." The leader called. "If you are thinking about your wife, the rest of our men have driven her home by now.""By now?" Leonid asked. "Who are you guys, and how do you know my home?"The leader shrugged his shoulders. "I am Reaper; he is Anger; and this other one is Saint. Reaper introduced.Leonid could n

Her face turned red; the fact that he had just called her that, even though he knew she signed the papers, made her smile. "Are you alright?" She asked, even though he had said he was. She glanced at her parents; they were looking at her, including Ethan. She knew they might go after Leonid if she let them know it was him. "I will be in the office at 10. Wait for me in my office." She said. "Amelia, are you alright? Leonid asked, and concern was written in his voice. "Yes," she answered. "What happened? Why are you acting like you are in a place you can’t talk freely?" "I can't; I can’t show up at 9:30. I will call you back by 10; I have to get ready." Before Leonid could respond, she ended the call. "Thank you for unfreezing my account; I am going to the office now." She informed them. Her parents glanced at her like they had just seen a ghost. "Forgetting him so soon? Ethan asked. She glared at him. "I am ready to look hot to find a new date that is not you." Before anyo

"How was it their fault?" Leonid asked.Shelby took a deep breath. "I don’t know if you will believe me, but...""Just go straight to the point!" Leonid yelled."Okay…okay… The Harringtons were the ones who ruined me.""Harrington’s? My wife’s family?"Shelby nodded. "Yes, Amelia’s father was my best friend. He was the one who took the money and ran away; he ran out of the country, but I am sure he knows you are the child he ruined, or maybe not. But he knows my name, and it is also linked to you."Leonid's eyes widened; he could not believe what his father was saying. After all these years, he had been holding grudges and building up hatred for his father. It turns out it was not his dad’s fault at all; his dad had only wanted well for them. He felt like the stupidest person alive; he hated the person who cared for him and married into the family that ruined his own family. He wondered if Amelia knew about it too. Did she marry him because she felt guilty for what her family had done