The Billionaire's Trials

007: He's not my brother... He'll never be my brother!

"Old age must be making grandfather go crazy! How could he have even thought of something like that!?," This feminine shrill was what welcomed Leo's presence in the foyer.

He stopped walking and gave James a questioning look. "Mom, remind me why grandfather still hasn't gone to the retirement home yet? Isn't he old enough?," Leo's eyes widened at the rude words the unknown female spat out.

"Let's go," James nudged, not showing any reaction at the rude words that were clearly directed at him.

"That's my father you are talking about. What the heck is wrong with you Heaven?," The second voice made Leo realize that it's not one person that's in the sitting room.

There are two... Two females. "Well, he is my grandfather!," Leo finally walked in and saw the lady that had been causing the ruckus.

His nose scrunched up as her outfits were the first thing that caught his eyes. Why is she wearing such a short skirt? Her top even has stripes all over to the extent that he can see the color of the brassiere underneath it.

Even if her skin is flawless and smooth like a peach, does she have to flaunt in such a slutty way?

"Father," The older woman beside the lady Leo had been staring at noticed James. He looked at her. She must be James' daughter.

She appears to be younger than he expected. If she is James' daughter, then the young lady beside her must be James' granddaughter.

James nodded and walked to a sofa. Leo followed him. "Grandfather, mom said some shitty stuff to me which I believe isn't true," the young lady walked to James without greeting him or acknowledging Leo's presence.

"Heaven!," Her mother was obviously displeased with her rude demeanor. "Heaven?," Leo whispered as he watched the lady. "What a beautiful name for a rude brat!," He sighed in regret.

"Victoria... Why are you standing there?," James ignored his raging granddaughter. "Come over. I want you to meet Leo."

Leo stood up as Victoria walked to them. He observed her expression and noticed that she is actually calm, a complete contrast to Heaven's behavior.

"Hello. Mrs Victoria... It's my pleasure to finally meet you," He addressed her with her maiden name and stretched out his hand for a handshake.

Victoria didn't accept his gesture at first. She gave him a piercing gaze and he could see the displeasure in her eyes.

Well, no one would be happy to hear that from someone else... A complete stranger is going to take over your family business. Her reaction is actually more reserved than he would have expected.

But just as he was about to retract his hands, she reached out and held it firmly. The threat was unspoken but sharp in the air. Leo gave her a knowing smile and said inwardly,'One more enemy for me.'

"Grandfather!!!," Heaven shrieked, upset that she had been ignored. James finally looked at her and the first words he spoke almost made Leo chuckle.

"I think your mother should teach you more manners. How many of the other dignified young mistresses dressed like you? How many of them talk to their grandfathers rudely like you? I can see that sending you abroad did no good, in fact you've gotten worse."

Heaven opened her mouth to reply but Victoria held her making her swallow her words. She clenched her fists tightly in anger instead. She glared at Leo as if he was the one at fault there.

"Be nice to Leo. He's like your brother," James' voice was calm. That did it. "He is not my brother! He'll never be my brother!," Heaven couldn't resist talking back.

Leo frowned. 'Good. Cause I don't want a rude, bratty sister like you too,' of course, he didn't say this out loud. Considering James' request, he kept quiet and let him take charge of the introduction.

"Go back to your room and reflect on your actions. I don't want to talk to you for now," James ordered Heaven furiously.

Her response was a sarcastic laugh. She bent down and picked up the small purse on the table. "What age do you think I am? Do you think I'm still that seven years old girl you can lock up whenever you want? The joke's on your grandfather," Her eyes were filled with contempt.

She gave Leo another glare and walked out of the sitting room. "Heaven! Don't come home drunk!," Even though Victoria's words were threatening, she sounded worried.

Heaven made sure to bang the door loudly on her way out. Leo frowned. What a spoiled brat? Disrespecting her mother and grandfather like that.

He made a mental note to avoid that brat while he stays at the mansion otherwise she would make trouble for him.

"Leo... Don't worry about her. She'll come around," James assured him when he saw that he was lost in thoughts. He'd mistaken Leo's quiet countenance for worry.

Leo nodded even though he almost told James that he isn't worried about that brat. Who cares anyway? "I'll ask the butler to show you your room."

"Father, can I speak with you privately?Victoria's words made Leo's eyebrows raise subconsciously. He's leaving anyway.

James nodded but called for the butler first who happened to be a middle aged man. Judging from his accent, Leo could tell that the man is a Frenchman.

"See you later grandfather," He said his goodbyes as he followed the butler out. The way he addressed James had clearly stunned Victoria because before he shut the door behind him, he heard her exclaim in a questioning tone,"Grandfather!?"

**********

Leo breathed in deeply as he walked to the doors that connected his room and a cozy looking balcony. He walked out and smiled as the cool breeze hit him, tussling his hair slowly.

He rested on the rails and looked down. He couldn't see any one except a long trail of street lights. Well, that is expected since this is a private family estate.

Few days ago, by this time he was sitting in his dingy apartment, munching a slice of leftover pizza.

He would have argued with whoever told him that a few days later, he would be in a magnificent mansion, enjoying the best cuisine.

His eyes landed on the beautiful fountain below. He smiled again. He looked at the pajamas he was wearing and felt the soft texture of the cloth.

Everything still felt surreal to him. A phone suddenly rang in the room and Leo frowned until he finally remembered that James had asked one of the servants to hand over the newly customized phone to him.

He walked back to the room, his feet sinking into the soft rug as he advanced to the bed where he had carelessly tossed his phone on earlier.

His frown widened when he saw the display of an unsaved caller id. James' number is the only number on his phone so who is calling so late.

Nevertheless, he answered the call just before it disconnected. "Hello," His voice sounded gruff.

"Mr Leo," the person over the phone called his name. "Yes. How may I help you?," He replied with a question.

"Sir... This is Jake speaking," Recognition dawned on Leo when he heard this. Jake... James' personal assistant?

"Chairman gave me your number and I decided I'd contact you before tomorrow," Jake explained.

Leo nodded. Realizing Jake couldn't help him, he mumbled,"Okay."

"Sir... You have to be at the office as early as seven am tomorrow. I'll send tomorrow's schedule to you. Chairman already informed me that he'll introduce the remaining employees tomorrow. But I thought it's better you know your schedule beforehand," Jake told him.

Leo was momentarily stunned. He finally understood what it meant to be given the ownership of Greene's conglomerate. His eyes twinkled with joy but his voice sounded detached,"No problem. I'll be expecting it."

"Goodnight sir," Jake sounded relieved. He, like others, doesn't understand why the chairman suddenly gave away the ownership to a complete stranger. But at least, he is sure that Mr Greene would never hand over the business to someone that isn't capable enough to rule it.

This little conversation with Leo has given him an inkling that Leo might just be the perfect candidate. "Night," Leo replied and a tut-tut sound followed. The call was disconnected.

Leo dropped his phone on the bedside stand and jumped in bed. He knows he's being childish but he isn't sure he'd ever get any sleep tonight so why not waste the time celebrating his victory instead?

When he decided he'd have enough, he walked to the in-built mini bar in his room and chose his favorite wine. Pouring himself a glass, he mused on the past events.

His eyes trailed to his phone and he walked to it. Picking it up, he went straight to the web and began to check the news, trying to get information of what had happened during these past few months that he'd been out of the social circle.

Multiple times, he fought an urge to roll his eyes whenever he saw scandal news. Something that only jobless housewives would read. He even insulted the bloggers calling them jobless.

But his face turned cold when he stumbled upon a trending headline.