The Billionaire's Trials

005: Who is pressurizing him here!?

Leo didn't miss the opportunity to look around the floor as they walked to where he assumes to be Mr Greene's office. He stared back at the employees that pretended to be carrying out their various tasks, hiding how they were stealing glances at him.

Jake finally stopped in front of a door which had a golden plated sign at the door. Leo read the three letter words out loud,'C-E-O.'

Jake opened the door and walked in. Leo followed closely behind. "Here he is Mr Greene," Jake reported with a bow. James nodded, his eyes fixed on Leo.

"You can leave. Ask one of the staff to bring refreshments later," James dismissed him. Leo stood by till the door closed quietly.

"Why are you standing over there? Come here and take a seat," James pointed at the seats in front of him. Leo nodded and walked to the seats.

Earlier, he wasn't actually thinking of anything else than meeting Mr Greene and informing him that he's made his decision. But now, he feels paranoid. What if Mr Greene has changed his mind?

What if Mr Greene wasn't really telling the truth? What if it all turns out to be a dream?

He shrugged off these thoughts and spoke solemnly,"I assume you already know why I am here."

James smiled, his face displaying a noticeable happy visage. He nodded,"Yes but I still want to hear it from you. I want to hear you say it."

"Mr Greene, is the offer still available?," Leo spoke too soon cause he cringed at his question, watching the smile on Mr Greene's face fade away.

"Insolent!," The sudden bang Mr Greene made by hitting his hand on the table scared Leo. Why does the old man have such a bad temper? What did he even say wrong?

"Shred the formalities. You should address me as grandfather from now on since you are going to be part of my family," James complained.

Leo was stunned but relief watched over him. Is it worth creating such a fuss because he didn't address him as grandfather? What a funny, weird man!

"Okay... Grandfather," Leo repeated, making a mental note not to make the mistake of calling him Mr Greene again. But the name sounded strange to him.

He'd never addressed anyone as grandfather... He didn't have anyone to address as grandfather. So it felt strange having this old man that just popped out of nowhere demanding to be called his grandfather.

"Leo," James' voice turned serious. A complete contrast to the amused tone he used earlier. "Are you really sure you want to do this? You don't have to feel pressured about taking on this huge thing."

Leo almost laughed. Pressurized? Who's pressurizing him here!? But he hid his feelings well and pretended to look pitiful. After all, you can't just feel or act too eager to take over someone else's business.

"Grandfather... Be rest assured that I do not feel pressured at all. I am doing this because I want to do this," His voice sounded genuine and the old man stopped looking worried. He looked relieved instead.

For a minute, he had thought that what if the boy wants to take over the conglomerate because he is being forced to? That's why he asked him first.

"My lawyer should be here any moment from now. I have already drafted the agreement the moment I found you," James looked guilty as he watched his godson. If only he had known sooner, this lad wouldn't have to suffer like this.

If he never found out, his great potential would have been buried forever. Even though he didn't know that Leo is the same Leonardo he has been searching for over the years, he had been intrigued by the boy.

He'd created a small jewelry company from scratch and managed to make a fortune in the business world. The company was even going international the last time he checked. It's just a pity that the boy had such poor taste in relationships.

He gave Leo a meaningful gaze and hoped that he had learnt his lesson about relationships. You shouldn't trust anybody and love doesn't exist in this world.

He is certain that Leo must have trusted or loved his wife to an extent that she even had a claim on his wealth, that's why she had been able to ruin him.

What James is unaware of is that it's actually the other way round?

"Is there anything else you want to inform me before the lawyer arrives?," Leo asked, snapping James back to reality.

James thought of it and then nodded. "I have few conditions even though I have drafted it in the agreement, I still want to warn you about it," Leo straightened up when he heard this.

"Firstly, you have to relocate to the family's mansion. You might not know this but my conglomerate has actually got tons of enemies that would target you as soon as the news circulates. I'd feel safer if you lived at the family mansion," James' first words put Leo at ease.

He thought the man was about to say something absurd. Turns out, he is only worried about his safety. He relaxed and smiled.

"Of course grandfather," Leo nodded. James looked satisfied. "Secondly, I am not a fan of family disputes. Promise me that no matter what others try to do to you... I mean my... our family members... Whatever they do, don't take it to heart. Just ignore. This is my first request."

Leo's eyebrows rose at this. Family members? Family disputes? Is this one of the disadvantages of becoming the heir of the conglomerate?

Nevertheless, he nodded,"Have faith in my grandfather."

James finally smiled, displaying his brown teeth. "I can see your father in you. He was disturbed by the problems... But he only faced what he wanted and he got what he wanted. It's a pity he ended that way."

"Grandfather, is there anything else you want to tell me?," Leo's words indicated that he didn't want to talk about the past. James understood cause he nodded.

"Yes... I have something to tell you before the lawyer gets here," James whispered, looking around like he was scared of something or someone. Leo didn't expect to see that fearful look on the man he considers to be the most powerful one.

What is it that he looks so scared of? "Grandfather... I'm listening. What's wrong? Why do you look so pale?," Leo couldn't hide the worry that seeped into his voice.

"Leo... I don't have... I'm afraid someone...," The creaking sound of the door made James pause.

However, Leo didn't look away from him. He could feel that whatever James wants to tell him is something big... Something serious.

"Mr Greene," The man that walked in called out. James stood up, the fearful look wiped off his face. A smile etching his face instead. "Welcome Salvatore... We've been waiting for you," He reached out to shake his hand.

Leo stood up to greet the lawyer. "Mr Leo, it's my pleasure to finally meet you," Mr Salvatore greeted slowly as he enclosed Leo's hand in his.

Leo nodded without saying anything. "Here... I've drafted out the agreement and made two copies. One for you, Mr Greene. The other goes to you, Mr Leo," Mr Salvatore spoke quickly like he was in a hurry as he distributed the files.

"If the two of you are satisfied with the terms and conditions, please sign in the required places and I'll draft out the final agreement for you," Salvatore continued.

James gave a low 'mhmm' as a response while Leo nodded as usual. The room was filled with silence as they read the files quietly.

Leo's eyes widened when he read the first thing on the list. "Grandfather," He could barely breathe. "What's... What's this?"

Salvatore arched an eyebrow at the way Leo addressed James. Grandfather? But he didn't say anything after all it's none of his business.

"What is that?," James acted oblivious. Leo's eyes were shone with tears. He'd never cried when he caught Mandy cheating with Scott. He didn't cry when Scott and Mandy teamed up to ruin him.

He never for once cried when he lost platinum but now... What this old man has done... This man that's literally almost a stranger to him laid out his whole life to him.

"What's this all about? You... You are really giving me everything?," Leo's voice was barely audible but everyone in the room heard him.

James nodded slowly with a smile to indicate 'Yes'. Leo covered his mouth and a teardrop finally escaped. He'd thought he was only getting the conglomerate and everything else that's attached to it.

But this man... This man gave him everything. Everything he owns. "But that clause has a condition... You can't leave out my daughter or my granddaughter. They have equal rights to it like you but I've only put you in charge because you are capable," James explained.

Leo was speechless, trying so hard to fight back the tears. "Hey! I didn't bargain for a crybaby as my godson... Read the remaining part of the agreement," James urged him.