I've Become Rich And I Want Revenge

08. Blackmail

A week had passed.

Sitting in the velvet armchair in the huge room was Leon, celebrating his eighteenth birthday. In his hand was an almost empty glass of cognac.

In front of him, looking down and waiting for further orders, was Brittany.

Swirling the contents around in his glass, the man looked up at her.

"You look awful in that uniform."

Almost imperceptibly, Brittany winced, accepting the insult. Leon continued:

"I like it. I like seeing you like that."

She wisely said nothing.

Leon savored every moment of the power he emanated over Brittany. The shadows of the huge luxury room danced in the dim candlelight, creating an eerie atmosphere.

"You should be thankful you're still here," Leon teased, letting a cruel smile play on his lips. "You're standing in front of the most powerful man you've ever met."

Total and complete silence.

"I must confess, I expected more resistance from you," the boy continued, amused by her obvious discomfort. "But of course, you were always weaker than you looked. An easy toy to manipulate."

She clenched her fists, but kept quiet.

"But no more jokes. Today is my birthday, and I deserve something special."

Brittany looked up, anxious about what would come next.

"I want you to serve me. Pour my cognac with your own hands." Leon held out the glass to her.

She hesitated for a moment, but eventually took the glass and carefully poured the golden liquid. A feeling of humiliation enveloped her, but she knew that any resistance would result in even worse consequences.

Leon watched her every move, relishing the control he had. When Brittany had finished filling her glass, he picked it up, taking a slow sip while keeping his eyes fixed on her.

"This is just the beginning, Brittany. Today is my day, and you're going to do whatever I tell you."

The doorbell rang.

"What are you waiting for? Go answer the door."

She hurried out of the room.

Then a suspicious buzz sounded, as if someone was quite upset. Before Leon could do anything or check what the commotion was about, the door burst open.

A middle-aged man with gray hair and green eyes stared at him, sweaty and panting. His expression was one of pure rage.

"So you're the asshole who's making my daughter a slave."

Leon's smile wasn't fake.

"And you're my father-in-law. Or the man who would be my father-in-law, if your daughter hadn't hidden from your family for years that she was my girlfriend."

I don't know what you did to make my daughter come here, but that ends now," said the father firmly.

Leon just laughed dismissively. 

"Your daughter is here because she wanted to be. You can ask her. I don't force anyone to do anything against their will."

Brittany returned to her room, keeping her head down and avoiding looking at her father.

"Brittany, explain to your father that you're here by choice," Leon ordered.

She swallowed before speaking: 

"I... I chose to be here."

"Stop lying! I heard about what that boy did. He now runs the school where you used to study, doesn't he? And now he's part of a business partnership or something. I know he's blackmailing you."

The host's eyes stared straight at the girl.

"Your daughter is a lovely, wise girl who made the right choice over all the others."

"You are a fucking l-" the stranger began, but was interrupted.

"And you, as a father, want the best for your daughter, I presume. There's nothing to worry about.

Absolutely nothing."

"You're a fake, that's what. We've never heard of your family or your power. How did you get everything you have without cheating?"

"Cheat?"

"That's right." The man chuckled. "Yes, I heard that your father, that useless, shapeless thing, won a lot of money. Apparently he's learned a thing or two about management, which has allowed you to be there, sitting in this armchair and surrounded by luxuries. But don't be fooled, kid. You're a phony. A poor little rich boy."

Leon stared at Brittany's father with a cold expression, but there was a spark of anger in his eyes. The man's words had hit a nerve. The tension in the room was palpable.

"You don't know anything about me," Leon replied, his voice containing an icy tone. 

Brittany's father laughed disdainfully. "

"Do you think you can buy everything in life with money? That's what a fool thinks."

Leon stood up from the armchair, looking directly into the man's eyes.

"Money buys power, respect, and the ability to shape the world to my will. Let me show you what really matters."

Brittany watched the exchange of words, her face a mixture of concern and discomfort.

The young boy walked over to a nearby table, picked up an envelope and threw it in Brittany's father's direction. 

"Here's a little sample of what I can do. Open it and see for yourself."

The man took the envelope suspiciously and opened it. His eyes scanned the contents, and his expression changed from disbelief to shock.

"What's this?" he muttered, looking at Leon with a mixture of disbelief and anger.

"That, my dear, is some interesting documents about your financial activities. It seems you're not as untouchable as you like to think."

The room was charged with tension. Brittany was visibly shaken, unable to believe what was happening before her eyes.

Brittany's father clenched his fists. 

"You set all this up to blackmail me?"

Leon smiled sideways. 

"I'm just showing you that, in the real world, rules are made to be broken. I make my own."

The man was furious, but said absolutely nothing.

"Brittany."

The girl stepped forward.

"Yes, sir?"

Leon sipped his brandy.

"Your father deserves a proper punishment for coming to throw accusations in my face, and even worse, on my property. Then you must punish him. Right now."