Leo held Jessica in his arms, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He could feel her pain, both from her wound and from the emotional turmoil she had gone through. It was his fault, after all, she was just trying to save James from that treacherous woman and, instead of supporting her, he scolded her. Though the day was rough on her, the warmth of his embrace was a stark contrast to the cold day she had and she felt as if it was the only comfortable thing that had happened in the whole day. But as they were lost in each other, the cool air brushed his cheeks. It was then he noticed that his mask had just fallen to the ground. He startled but didn't let her know, he had to be careful, for his secret was at stake. "Jessica," he whispered gently while reaching out for the mask with his other hand, "I feel so sorry for what happened to you, and how they all acted earlier. They should have trusted you from the start. It was their mistake, and of course, they will deeply regret it soon
As Leo approached the other damaged car, he noticed a middle-aged woman, motionless in the driver's seat, badly injured and unconscious. Concerned for her well-being, he struggled and carefully opened the car door, and reached out to check her pulse. His fingers gently touched her neck as he searched for a sign of life.Suddenly, to Leo's surprise, the woman's eyes fluttered open, and she weakly grabbed his hand, her grip surprisingly strong given her condition. Her voice was shaky and filled with desperation as she pleaded for help. "Help me...Please... help me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Though a little perplexed, Leo placed his other hand over her hand filled with blood. "Don't worry ma'am, you will be fine" he said assuring her that help had arrived and she would be soon in safe hands. But she was hardly able to breathe properly.Leo's heart raced as he realized that this woman's life hung in the balance. He immediately called out for the paramedics nearby, urgen
It was dawn already and Jessica slowly strode down towards the injection room to check on Mr.Conner. She had been in the waiting room all this time and didn't get the time to see how he was doing, now that the doctor confirmed that it may take longer for her aunt to be out of the operation, she decided to go see him first.Well, actually, that was not the only reason that she wanted to meet Mr.Conner, because when she phoned her aunt's family, they disclosed that Helen had been missing for days and no one was able to reach out to her. Listening to their words, Jessica found it so weird that they didn't bother to search for her even if she was missing. It was suspicious, and in her aunt's family, she trusted no one except her son. So Jessica opted to keep it from them that she had seen Helen.Jessica wanted to be sure about Helen's safety. Helen was not only her aunt but also the CEO of Longsfire Corporation, a multi-billionaire company with many industries and enterprises spread acr
Leo and Jessica stood unexpectedly close. Caught in a moment can't be described. Though they were in the waiting room of the hospital, it wasn't less than a beautiful and romantic garden as their eyes locked in a tender moment. There wasn't anyone to disturb them not even the hospital staff.The soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead seemed to fade away as their hearts beat in unison.Just as Leo was about to take the initiative and their lips were about to meet in a loving kiss, the door burst open, and a sharp and furious voice echoed in that room. "You bloody bitch...!" For a second both were startled and stunned looking at the door from where that voice jolted them.An elegant high-society elder woman barged in."So it was you who did it...!" she continued.That woman exuded timeless grace and sophistication. She carried herself with regal poise, her posture impeccable, and her movements deliberate. Her silver hair, styled with meticulous care, framed a face that has aged
"Meet the only heir of the Longsfire Corporation," Except for Jessica's voice echoing deep into everyone's ears, the whole room was deserted right when Leo walked in, "Mr. Leonard Edward Connell."She introduced Leo as the long-lost son of her aunt, Helen, and the heir to her Empires and Properties.The waiting room turned into turmoil and silence eroded by a humm of shock as if there was a whirlwind that had lifted the surroundings in the air. All of them, who heard Jessica were now gaping at Leo and her in disbelief. Trying hard to assemble themselves back from the shock that what they heard was true.Leo grabbed Jessica's hand and clutched it tightly, if he didn't halt himself, his fingers were ready to make bloody marks on her wrist. He jerked her towards him, glaring at her face but before he could confront her, her eyes stopped him.Her beautiful eyes were begging him, begging him to continue, to help her just this once.He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. The silence
When the doctor called for Leo and he followed him inside the operation theater, the junior doctor asked Leo to wait near the lobby inside the operating room. It was exactly when everyone circled Jessica and him for confrontation. He was on the brink of telling them all the truth but he was saved when that doctor looked for him. It may also be a fate, a god's will not to expose Leo."Please stand here, gentleman, our chief wants to talk to you," that junior doctor said and walked away into one of the operating rooms. Leo nodded in agreement and stood in the lobby silently. Though out of that mess, his mind was still pacing on how to prove his identity as Helen's son not just because Jessica wanted him to, but because he had already read the minds of all those so-called relatives who claimed to be Helen's family. And to his astonishment, he couldn't find a single genuine concern in their minds, except for Jessica. He felt pity for that woman, there was nothing in this world that sh
"Make it done right now...!" Margaret demanded someone in her phone and a smirk tugged on Dorson's face. It was evident that there was something crooked going on, in their minds.Leo's identity hadn't been confirmed yet and he had already become the target of some dangerous plans. What else is he going to suffer as the only heir of that Longsfire Corporation?Jessica was bewildered when she heard the conversation between Margaret and her brother, talking about wiping out someone, but was that Leo or someone else, she wasn't sure about it completely for now.As the one living with them all these years, she has have strong belief that they might harm Helen again and her long-lost son was not so safe either.Dorson suddenly suspected that someone heard them talk and made his way toward the corridor wall but despite being in shock, Jessica scampered to hide herself properly. She had to be careful if she wanted to deal with scheming people like them.She just escaped getting caught but he
Margaret's heart sank as her plans failed. She saw police grabbing someone and dragging him out of Leo's room. They didn't make it public and never announced any kind of attack to not gain any extra attention. But Margaret knows it all. Why won't she, it was her arrangement after all.As the plan almost failed and that man was caught, Margaret looked at that man gritting in anger but to her surprise, the man gestured to her that he had completed his job.There was still a slight hope for her plan to be successful. She was relieved that it was finally done.And she was now sure that Leo might still be unconscious but...!When she got in, she found him not only conscious but more vibrant than ever. Where the hell did that poison go?That poison was not to kill him but it was enough to make one paralyzed. Margaret was relieved before, she thought she might get a chance to see the drama and followed Alvin into the room soon after him. She expected a scene where Leo might be lying on
Author's point of view... For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then, Helen let out a sob and rushed forward, throwing her arms around Renard. Leo stepped back, giving his parents the space they needed as they clung to each other, the years of pain and separation melting away in their embrace. Slowly hugging his girlfriend, Leo indulged in the delicacy of reunion. Leo watched them, his own emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He had dreamed of this moment for so long, and now that it was here, he felt a profound sense of peace. His family was finally whole again. Helen's eyes were still moist with tears as she held onto Renard's hand, her fingers trembling slightly from the overwhelming emotion. She couldn't believe that she was seeing her husband after nearly twenty years. After taking in the surprise slowly, she turned to Leo and Jessica, gratitude evident in her gaze, though she was still unaware of Leo's true identity. For her, they were her saviors. "Thank you both," He
Author's point of view... Though he didn't look frightening, Jessica took a step backward. Leo was busy on his phone, talking to Daniel about the case. He didn't notice anything behind him. The beggar snatched the food from her hands but then paused. Jessica wasn't brothered at all, instead, she wanted to help that beggar by lending him some more money. Then suddenly the stopped and was mumbling something to himself. "Th...thank ...y...you..." Slowly, he raised his head, and for the first time, Jessica got a good look at his face. His eyes were sunken, his skin weathered, and his hair matted with dirt, but there was something familiar about him that she couldn’t quite place. As he looked at her, a faint glimmer of recognition flickered in her eyes. Jessica was dumbfounded. Was that man...!! Was that him? “Thank you, young lady,” the man mumbled, his voice raspy with exhaustion. “Thank you so much for the food. My son is still waiting for me. He must be so hung
Author's point of view... That day, Leo felt so uncomfortable even to spend another second there, wasting time. After grabbing something to eat, Leo and Jessica arrived at the NGO with a sense of urgency, the weight of their mission pressing down on them. The place was quiet, with only a few staff members moving about. They immediately recognized Jessica as she was a volunteer there. Jessica led the way, her mind racing with memories from years ago. They were here to search through the records, hoping to find any information about the man she had encountered during a medical camp—a man she now knew was Leo's father, Renard Edward Connard, her Aunt's husband. When asked, the staff told her that those records might be destroyed as if had been so long. But Jessica insisted on checking them. They poi red towards a shabby room. The records room was tucked away in a corner of the building, a small, dusty space filled with rows of old files and boxes stacked high. Jessica hesit
Author's point of view... The first light of dawn crept into the room, casting a soft glow over the sleeping figure on the bed. Jessica stirred, blinking her eyes open as she adjusted to the early morning light. She stretched, feeling the cool air against her skin, and realized with a start that Leo wasn’t anywhere in the room. Panic gripped her momentarily as the memories of the previous day's events came flooding back. Leo had returned late, his mind elsewhere, burdened with a weight he couldn’t fully comprehend. He hadn’t come to the room after that. Where is he? Worried, Jessica slipped out from under the covers and rushed out of the bed to looked around. As she padded towards the terrace, she didn't find any trace of him, there either. Her breath caught in her throat as she stepped outside. Did he go somewhere?Did something happen again? Jessica recalled everything, how Leo seemed to be worried last night and she panicked at the thought of something going wrong wit
Author's point of view... Leo was puzzled. He couldn't understand what mystery this was. Should he laugh or cry? Mr. Renard Connard read the father's name again, then shifted his gaze towards the column of his mother's name, Helen Connard...! Helen was his birth mother?? He flipped over the photograph to see the faces of his parents once again, more clearly. However, just as he took it out again, the shocking resemblance took him aback. Tears filled his eyes again. "This...!!" He quickly reached for the other paper, pulling out the letter with trembling fingers. His heart pounded as he unfolded it, recognizing the worn edges of a note written in haste. As his eyes darted across the page, the truth hit him like a punch to the gut. It was a letter from his father. *Renard Edward Connard.* Leo’s knees nearly buckled as he read, the weight of the words sinking into him like an anchor. The letter explained everything—how his father had left him at the orphanage when he wa
Author's point of view...The envelope was empty...! Leo snuck his fingers into it and checked it again and again. A surge of frustration shot through him. He clenched his fist, trying to contain the anger bubbling beneath the surface. How could the system betray him like this? He had done everything and sacrificed so much, only to be left with nothing. Jessica, sensing his distress, placed a hand on his arm. “Leo? What’s wrong?” Leo pulled himself back immediately, he can't let her worry. He forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s nothing,” he lied, his voice tight. “Just... something which I didn't expect.” Jessica frowned, but she didn’t press further. She could feel the tension radiating from him and knew better than to pry. Instead, she stood by his side, offering silent support as Leo grappled with the storm of emotions inside him.Leo felt cheated, betrayed but he didn't let it show on his face. At least, he can't tell this to anyone. Controlling himself w
Author's point of view... Leo and Jessica walked side by side down the quiet street, the Connard estate fading behind them. They took a taxi back to the city. Daniel had taken care of everything about his restaurant. After giving up on all those luxuries that the system had provided him, the only thing that Leo had now was his restaurant, as the system believed that it was solely his hard work. And he deserved it. The villa he bought was under the name of Connard estates and so he had to leave it behind. Now, Leo was back in his small shabby room on the terrace of the restaurant. When they reached their restaurant, its closed doors greeted them with an eerie silence, offering a rare moment of privacy. The employees were all tired after the chaos that they had suffered, and because of this, Leo had given them all a few day's leave. Everybody needs some time for themselves, including him. As they stepped Inside, the space felt strangely peaceful, as though it, too, had b
Author's point of view... Helen stood tall, but her strength was faltering. She had just witnessed everything. The boy she raised as her son wanted to kill her. The weight of everything, the betrayal, the revelations, the heartbreak, seemed to crash down on her all at once. Her breath became shallow, her body swaying on weakened legs. Before anyone else could react, Leo rushed forward, catching her just as her body began to give way. "Ma'am, be careful...!" The moment his hands touched her, an electric jolt seemed to pass through Helen. She blinked in daze, looking up at Leo as if seeing him in a new light. His steady, concerned gaze met hers, and for a fleeting second, she thought of her son, her real son, the boy she had lost so long ago. He would be around Leo’s age now. How different things might have been had he lived. Leo gently eased her into a chair, his touch careful, almost reverent. His presence brought her a small measure of comfort, a warmth she hadn’t felt i
Author's point of view... The gun in Alvin's hand dropped as he saw Helen standing before him. Helen stepped forward, her eyes scanning the room, filled with sorrow and disappointment. “I never thought my own family would betray me,” she said, her voice soft yet firm, carrying the weight of a truth long hidden. Leo and Jessica exchanged glances before stepping forward at Helen’s call. They approached her, and she placed a gentle hand on each of them, her grip weak but meaningful. “If not for them,” Helen continued, her gaze settling on Alvin, “I would have died long ago in that accident.” Her voice cracked, but she held her composure. “Jessica, Leo, they were the only ones who stood by me. Jessica, at my request, carried out this entire plan so we could unearth the truth about the accident. And now, it’s clear… it was my own family behind it, the son I raised...” her eyes filled with tears. It was true that she wanted to find her lost son but she never treated Alvin as