LEGACY OF A BILLIONAIRE SON-IN-LAW

part 009

Leon watched as the girl adjusted the hem of her dress, still flustered from the incident. Her cheeks were flushed, and she avoided eye contact with the crowd, as if hoping to disappear into the floor.

"Relax," Leon said quietly, leaning against the wall beside her. "They'll forget about it in five minutes."

She let out a nervous laugh. "I doubt that. I’m not exactly blending in here."

Leon studied her for a moment. There was something different about her, something the others didn’t have. She didn’t fit in, but that wasn’t a bad thing.

"I'm Leon, by the way."

The girl hesitated before finally offering a small smile. "Clara."

"Nice to meet you, Clara."

Across the ballroom, Sophia was still watching. Her lips curled into a sly smirk as she whispered something to her mother. Leon knew exactly what they were saying, mocking him, laughing at the fact that he had chosen to talk to Clara instead of mingling with the high society elites.

But he didn’t care.

The night was young, and Leon had his reasons for staying close to Clara.

"Why are you here, Clara?" Leon asked, his eyes drifting back to her.

Clara looked up at him, surprised by the question. "I was invited. A friend of mine works for the Winters, and she thought I should come. I didn’t expect… well, all of this." She gestured to the lavish surroundings.

Leon nodded. "It’s overwhelming at first."

"Yeah, and spilling drinks isn’t exactly the best first impression."

Leon chuckled. "You handled it better than most."

Before Clara could respond, Sophia and Mr. Winter strolled over. Sophia's red gown shimmered under the ballroom lights, and her eyes narrowed as they approached.

"Leon," Sophia greeted, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I see you’ve made a friend. How charming."

Leon didn’t miss the way her eyes flicked over Clara, full of silent judgment.

"This is Clara," Leon said calmly. "She’s a guest."

Sophia’s gaze lingered on Clara’s dress, and she gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "I didn’t realize we were letting everyone in tonight."

Clara stiffened beside Leon.

Leon’s calm demeanor never wavered. "Funny, I was thinking the same thing."

Mr. Winters let out a sharp laugh. "Still quick with words, Leon. But you should be careful who you align yourself with. Some people don't belong in places like this."

Leon’s jaw tightened, but he forced himself to stay composed.

"Neither do thieves," Leon replied smoothly, locking eyes with Mr. Aldridge.

Sophia's smile faltered, and Mr. Aldridge’s face hardened.

"You really should learn to let go of the past," Mr. Winters said coldly.

"I plan to," Leon replied. "After I take back everything you stole."

Sophia laughed softly, though there was unease in her eyes. "I’d love to see you try."

Leon smiled faintly. "Oh, you will."

Sophia opened her mouth to speak, but at that moment, Clara accidentally bumped into her.

Red wine splashed across the front of Sophia’s gown.

Clara’s face turned pale. "I’m so sorry! I didn’t—"

Sophia gasped, staring down at the stain spreading across the fabric. Her hands clenched into fists.

"You—" Sophia began, but Leon stepped between them.

"It was an accident," he said firmly, shielding Clara from Sophia’s glare.

Sophia’s eyes narrowed, and her voice dropped. "I don’t know what game you’re playing, Leon, but this isn’t over."

Leon smiled coolly. "It never is."

Sophia and her father stalked away, leaving Leon and Clara

Leon watched as Sophia stormed off, the stain on her dress a mark of her own arrogance. The ballroom buzzed with whispers, eyes flicking between Leon and Clara. Clara shifted nervously beside him, tugging at the hem of her dress.

“I really didn’t mean to do that,” she whispered.

Leon gave a small shrug. “Maybe she needed it.”

Clara’s eyes widened. “She’s going to hate me.”

“She already hated you the second you walked in,” Leon said casually. “Might as well give her a reason.”

Clara laughed softly, but her shoulders remained tense.

“You don’t have to stay,” Leon said. “I can handle the Winters on my own.”

Clara shook her head. “I’d rather not walk out alone. I’d probably knock over a statue or something.”

Leon smiled faintly. “Then stick with me.”

Before Clara could respond, a waiter approached with a tray of champagne. Leon took two glasses, handing one to her.

“To surviving the ballroom,” he said, raising his glass.

Clara laughed, clinking her glass with his.

But as she sipped, Leon’s eyes drifted across the room. Something was off. A group of men in dark suits stood near the far wall, barely mingling. They weren’t guests—Leon could tell by the way they watched everyone without speaking.

Leon’s instincts flared. He knew trouble when he saw it.

“Clara,” he said softly, lowering his glass. “Stay close.”

Clara frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Leon kept his gaze on the men. “Not sure yet.”

The men moved, slowly weaving through the crowd. One of them caught Leon’s eye for a brief second before looking away.

Leon’s grip tightened around the glass. This wasn’t coincidence.

Before he could act, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Leon.”

Mr. Winters had returned, his eyes sharp with suspicion. “A word, if you don’t mind.”

Leon glanced at Clara, giving her a small nod to stay put. He followed Mr. Winters through the crowd until they stood near the grand staircase.

“I see you’re making friends with the help,” Winters said coldly.

Leon crossed his arms. “You didn’t bring me over here to talk about Clara.”

Winter’s eyes narrowed. “No, I didn’t.” He leaned in closer. “What are you really doing here, Leon?”

Leon smirked. “Enjoying the party. Isn’t that what this is for?”

Winter’s gaze darkened. “Stay away from Sophia. And stay away from my business.”

Leon’s smirk faded. “Your business used to be mine.”

Winters lips curled into a sneer. “You lost, Leon. The sooner you accept that, the better.”

Leon stepped forward, his voice dropping low. “I didn’t lose. I let you win. And that was my mistake.”

Winter’s eyes flickered, but before he could respond, a sudden crash echoed from the far side of the room.

Leon’s head snapped around. One of the men in dark suits had knocked over a table, sending glasses shattering across the floor. The crowd parted, murmuring nervously.

Clara stood nearby, frozen in place.

Leon’s heart jumped. He pushed past Winters and made his way back to her.

“Leon,” Clara said, her voice shaky. “I don’t think this is just a party anymore.”

Leon’s eyes locked onto the men as they regrouped, their movements sharp and practiced. He recognized them now—private security. But they weren’t protecting anyone. They were looking for something.

Or someone.

“Stay close,” Leon whispered, guiding Clara toward the exit.

But before they could leave, Sophia stepped in front of them, arms crossed.

“Going somewhere?” she asked, her eyes flicking to Clara.

“Sophia, not now,” Leon said, his tone hard.

Sophia’s smirk deepened. “Oh, I think now is the perfect time.”

Behind her, Winters watched closely, his gaze fixed on Leon.

Clara tugged at Leon’s sleeve. “They’re blocking the doors,” she whispered.

Leon glanced over his shoulder. She was right. Two of the men now stood near the exit, casually preventing anyone from leaving.

Leon’s pulse quickened. This wasn’t random.

He looked at Sophia. “What did you do?”

Sophia blinked innocently. “Me? Nothing. But I do enjoy a little excitement at these events.”

Leon clenched his jaw. He didn’t have time for games.

The music had stopped. The entire ballroom seemed to fall into silence as the men began moving toward the center of the room. One of them lifted a hand, signaling the others.

Leon recognized the gesture. They were about to clear the room.

“Clara,” Leon said softly. “When I say run, you run. Don’t look back.”

Clara’s eyes widened. “What—”

“Run.”

Leon grabbed her hand and moved fast, cutting through the crowd as the men shouted for everyone to stay in place. Guests gasped, stepping aside as Leon pushed forward.

One of the guards lunged, but Leon ducked, pulling Clara through an opening near the side hallway.

“Hey!” someone shouted behind them.

Leon didn’t stop. He led Clara down a narrow corridor until they reached a service entrance.

Pushing through the door, they stumbled out into the cool night air. The alley behind the ballroom was empty.

Leon stopped, letting out a breath as he released Clara’s hand.

“What was that?” Clara asked, panting.

Leon glanced at the door. “I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.”

Clara crossed her arms, staring at him. “You dragged me into this. I think I deserve to know what’s happening.”

Leon hesitated, then nodded.

“Fair enough.” He leaned against the wall, eyes scanning the alley. “Those men weren’t here for security. They were after someone. And I think it was me.”

Clara’s brow furrowed. “Why you?”

Leon smirked faintly. “Let’s just say I have a complicated history with the Aldridges.”

Clara shook her head, stepping closer. “So what now?”

Leon’s eyes narrowed. “Now, I get my revenge.”

Clara arched a brow. “By crashing more of their parties?”

Leon chuckled. “Something like that.”

Suddenly, Leon’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, staring at the unknown number flashing on the screen.

He answered cautiously. “Leon.”

A familiar voice came through.

“It’s not over yet.”

Leon’s eyes flicked toward the ballroom. Through one of the high windows, he could see Sophia watching from above.

Her lips curved into a smile.

Leon hung up, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

“Come on,” he said to Clara, pushing off the wall. “I have a feeling this night’s just getting started.”