Frustrated with himself, Leander cursed for giving into Brianna’s insistence. He regretted handing his jacket to Camila. Yet, the deed was irreversible now, leaving him no room for second thoughts.Leander was met with mocking laughter from Rex, who had been lurking in the shadows. His eyes sparkled with delight as he saw Leander’s brow furrow in a scowl. Rex interpreted this humiliation as a triumph over Leander. Little did he know, the real journey had not even begun.As the party was coming to an end, Leander couldn’t help but notice a gorgeous young lady. Her beauty was intoxicating—smooth, spotless light skin and standing at 5'9". She caught Leander's eye immediately, and any man would be lucky to have her as their dream woman.He didn't hesitate, quickly grabbing his jacket and weaving through the crowd to approach the ethereal lady before she left the hall.But as he tried to catch up with her, the moving crowd blocked his path. He knew if she disappeared from his view, he migh
Not quite long, Leander, Brianna, and Alyssa arrived at Brianna’s grandiose residence nestled among the expensive estates in the heart of the city.As evening approached, Leander and Alyssa found themselves on a cozy Bohemian sofa, their discussion gaining momentum. Leander's eyes sparkled with curiosity, eager to dive into whatever Alyssa had to discuss."Do you know me?" Alyssa asked, sharpness in her tone as she looked up at Leander.Leander's eyes scanned the floor, searching for the right words. "I-I don't think so," he stuttered, unsure of how to respond. "We haven't met before, but Brianna has always told me about you"Brianna's aunt, Alyssa, looked concerned as she asked, "So, Brianna filled me in on your current education status. Were you able to get admitted to another institution after being expelled from Etherium University?"Leander hesitated briefly, then inhaled sharply before responding, his voice steady and direct, "Uh, I haven't applied to any university"Alyssa's he
This marks Leander’s first meeting with Ms. Walker in her Etherium University office after being expelled. He views this visit as crucial for understanding how to proceed with his plans to purchase the university, which is of utmost importance to him.His mother’s recent message, in which she demanded to know if he had applied to another university, left him feeling spooked. The burden of others’ expectations weighed heavily on him, suffocating his decision.However, Leander made his way to the office of Ms. Walker, the university’s Dean. Taking a quick breath, he calmed his nerves and knocked on the door."Hello, who's there?" Dean Walker's sharp voice echoed outside the door. Nervous, Leander opted for silence instead of disclosing his name.Dean Walker said, "Come in, please," her words hurried and eager.With a slow nudge, he boldly entered through the open door. In a moment of surprise and skepticism, Dean Walker’s eyebrows lifted and her mouth fell open.Recognizing him, she e
Leander's heart raced, praying it wasn't Rex or the government blocking his purchase of the university, not knowing that the identity of the person is someone he would never have anticipated.Leander demanded, "Who are they?”"Before I can accept your offer, you have to convince that person or compel her to stop. The person is a friend of mine, a friend of yours, a student of this university—Brianna," Immediately Dean Walker revealed it, Leander jumped off the chair and lurched back in surprise.Faced with the gravity of the revelation and the feeling of betrayal, he insisted on confirming again, "Are you sure? Hope you aren't telling lies this time around?""Well, I just speak the truth," her voice boomed.However, Leander's eyes narrowed at Ms. Walker, his composure slipping away. He was unable to comprehend Brianna’s apparent act of betrayal. Yet, he decided to refrain from passing judgment prematurely; before drawing any conclusions, he had to verify the correctness of what she sa
The week of tension-filled silence between Leander and Brianna comes to an end as Leander takes the next step, which is to meet Brianna. He had been avoiding Brianna's messages, clearly upset about her stance against his purchase of Etherium University.Leander stepped out of his sleek Rolls-Royce Ghost Prism, while Brianna emerged from her Aston Martin in perfect synchronization. Without hesitation, they closed the distance between them, exchanging warm smiles as they finally stood face to face at the bustling restaurant.They dashed into the restaurant, Leander's eyes darting around until he spotted two empty seats. After they settled into their seats, Brianna sighed softly before muttering, her expression twisted with disdain, "Leander, why have you been ignoring my messages throughout this week? You can't pretend you didn't notice them”Leander blinked, momentarily speechless. Gathering himself swiftly, he responded with a touch of pretense. "Uh, I was busy... I have a lot on my
Leander sat on the plush sofa in the living room, his laptop open before him.At this moment, doubt and uncertainty filled his thoughts. Brianna’s words at the restaurant had turned his glum expression into one of disdain. With each ticking moment, the urgency of the situation pushed him to overreact.While lost in thought, Leander's phone suddenly rang and vibrated on the table before him. His eyebrow shot up as he focused on the caller ID, which showed only love stickers, indicating Brianna was calling. His heart raced at the mere sight of her call. Initially hesitant, he swiftly changed his mind and answered.Brianna greeted, “Hey Leander, are you there?”“I’m listening, Brianna,” Leander’s disinterest was evident in his swift reply.Brianna shot back, "Why did you ditch me at the restaurant? Your reply was unkind, and you were even more cruel by walking away from me. Was it the institution deal that set you off?" Her voice dripped with hurt. "I could still sway things to stop you
Sophia’s head snapped back, her eyes narrowing in response to Leander’s words, revealing her clear contempt for his disregard of the royals and government officials’ endeavors“Yes, that day has begun for me,” he repeated, his words firm.Leander let out a sharp breath as his mind was consumed by Jeeves contributing to Sebastian’s little riches. "Mom, where's Jeeves? I need to find him," he blurted out, urgency lacing his words.Sophia's eyes sparked with intrigue as she sharply inquired, "Do you want to see him? What are you after?"Leander insisted, "I'm not getting anything from him other than to come into the visitor’s room so we can talk. I'm not done on his issue, he is still a traitor, a suspect in my own view." His tone was sharp, filled with unresolved tension. With a sense of urgency, he pressed on, "I want him to clear his name before it's too late""Where's my phone? I need to call him," Sophia frantically scanned the room, her eyes darting from one corner to another. Then
Ding! Leander snatched his phone off the table at the quick notification. He quickly swept away a smudge on the screen and focused on Lindsey's message, the lady he'd connected with at Brianna's aunt Alyssa's birthday bash. The chat showed the exact spot where they planned to meet.Leander quickly typed back, "Dress to impress!"Excited, Leander leaped up and dashed into his bedroom. Reaching the corner leading to his mother's room, he paused briefly. With a quick glance around, he realized his mom was not there.Leander sighed softly and darted into his wardrobe in his room, frantically sifting through clothes. As he searched, Sophia suddenly appeared in the doorway, her warm smile lighting up. "Leander, when are you eating? You haven't had anything since morning," she exclaimed.Glancing back at her warm eyes, Leander chuckled lightly, “Mom, I’m heading back to eat. Got something big to handle now”Sophia shook her head, replying sharply, "How's the university application going? How
Leander stretched his legs as the private jet descended toward the coastal paradise of Montevia. The turquoise waters sparkled below, and lush green islands dotted the horizon like emeralds in the ocean. Beside him, Brianna leaned back in her seat, her sunglasses perched atop her golden hair, radiating effortless elegance."This was overdue," she said, her voice soft yet teasing.Leander turned to her with a smile. "Blame the whirlwind of deals, auctions, and diplomatic dinners. But now, I’m all yours."The jet landed smoothly, and they were greeted on the tarmac by a motorcade of luxury SUVs. Montevia was known for its breathtaking landscapes and exclusivity—this wasn’t a place for casual tourists. Only the most elite found themselves vacationing here, and Leander and Brianna fit that bill perfectly.---The villa was a marvel of modern architecture, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a panoramic view of the endless sea, while the infinity poo
Leander stretched his legs as the private jet descended toward the coastal paradise of Montevia. The turquoise waters sparkled below, and lush green islands dotted the horizon like emeralds in the ocean. Beside him, Brianna leaned back in her seat, her sunglasses perched atop her golden hair, radiating effortless elegance."This was overdue," she said, her voice soft yet teasing.Leander turned to her with a smile. "Blame the whirlwind of deals, auctions, and diplomatic dinners. But now, I’m all yours."The jet landed smoothly, and they were greeted on the tarmac by a motorcade of luxury SUVs. Montevia was known for its breathtaking landscapes and exclusivity—this wasn’t a place for casual tourists. Only the most elite found themselves vacationing here, and Leander and Brianna fit that bill perfectly.---The villa was a marvel of modern architecture, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a panoramic view of the endless sea, while the infinity poo
As the evening wound down at the Evans estate, Leander found himself reflecting on how smoothly the dinner had gone. The partnership with the Evans family held tremendous potential, and for the first time in years, the idea of forging alliances felt more natural than adversarial. He was about to leave when Walter extended a hand and stopped him.“Leander, a word before you go?” Walter asked, gesturing toward his study.Curious but composed, Leander nodded. “Of course.”The two entered the dimly lit study, where walls were lined with shelves of leather-bound books. A vintage globe stood by the window, and the scent of aged wood filled the room. Walter closed the door behind them and motioned for Leander to sit in one of the plush chairs by the fireplace.“What’s on your mind?” Leander asked, his tone measured.Walter sat across from him, a serious expression settling over his face. “I need to ask for your discretion, Leander. This partnership we’ve discussed—it’s as much about necessit
As the evening wound down at the Evans estate, Leander found himself reflecting on how smoothly the dinner had gone. The partnership with the Evans family held tremendous potential, and for the first time in years, the idea of forging alliances felt more natural than adversarial. He was about to leave when Walter extended a hand and stopped him.“Leander, a word before you go?” Walter asked, gesturing toward his study.Curious but composed, Leander nodded. “Of course.”The two entered the dimly lit study, where walls were lined with shelves of leather-bound books. A vintage globe stood by the window, and the scent of aged wood filled the room. Walter closed the door behind them and motioned for Leander to sit in one of the plush chairs by the fireplace.“What’s on your mind?” Leander asked, his tone measured.Walter sat across from him, a serious expression settling over his face. “I need to ask for your discretion, Leander. This partnership we’ve discussed—it’s as much about necessit
The grand hall of the Thornton estate was resplendent with luxury. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a golden glow on the marble floors, while the walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting the family’s storied lineage. It was their annual feast—a celebration of the Thornton legacy, a night to flaunt wealth, power, and influence to the elite of society.Leander stood at the entrance, his sharp suit tailored to perfection. His expression was calm, almost unreadable, but his eyes held a glint of quiet determination. He had been invited, not out of goodwill but as a courtesy and a calculated move by the Thornton family to show they had nothing to fear from him. After all, Leander's recent rise in influence had made him a threat, even to the likes of the Thorntons.As he stepped into the hall, the chatter quieted for a moment. All eyes turned to him. He was an outsider in this circle of established power, yet his presence demanded respect."Leander," Albert Thornt
Leander stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the skyline. The city below was alive with movement, lights flickering in every direction, but up here, in the quiet of his penthouse, it felt like a different world. He took a slow sip of whiskey, feeling the warmth spread through him. The quiet of the evening was a rare gift, one he appreciated more than he let on.The sound of the door opening behind him brought his attention back to the present. Wyatt walked in, his usual easygoing demeanor at odds with the tension in his posture."What's got you in such a rush?" Leander asked, his voice low but carrying a note of curiosity.Wyatt closed the door softly behind him, walking across the room to join Leander by the windows. "Just came from a meeting with the board. It's about the next quarter." He paused, eyeing the glass in Leander's hand. "You're drinking already?"Leander smirked, taking another sip. "Some days, it feels necessary."Wyatt shook his head but didn't commen
As the evening stretched into night, the two friends returned to their seats, the conversation flowing easily once more. They discussed upcoming projects, potential collaborations, and their shared vision for the future. “You know,” Wyatt said, swirling the last of his whiskey, “we should do this more often. Just sit back and talk, no agendas or deadlines looming over us.” “I’d like that,” Leander said, a rare note of vulnerability in his voice. “It’s easy to lose sight of what really matters when you’re caught up in the grind.” Wyatt nodded, raising his glass. “To friendship, then. The one thing that’s worth more than all the deals in the world.” Leander clinked his glass against Wyatt’s, the sound ringing out like a promise.The conversation deepened as the night drew on, the city lights sparkling in the background. Leander and Wyatt, though often consumed by the corporate grind, rarely afforded themselves these moments of unguarded honesty. This was one of those nights.Wyatt l
As the evening stretched into night, the two friends returned to their seats, the conversation flowing easily once more. They discussed upcoming projects, potential collaborations, and their shared vision for the future. “You know,” Wyatt said, swirling the last of his whiskey, “we should do this more often. Just sit back and talk, no agendas or deadlines looming over us.” “I’d like that,” Leander said, a rare note of vulnerability in his voice. “It’s easy to lose sight of what really matters when you’re caught up in the grind.” Wyatt nodded, raising his glass. “To friendship, then. The one thing that’s worth more than all the deals in the world.” Leander clinked his glass against Wyatt’s, the sound ringing out like a promise.The conversation deepened as the night drew on, the city lights sparkling in the background. Leander and Wyatt, though often consumed by the corporate grind, rarely afforded themselves these moments of unguarded honesty. This was one of those nights.Wyatt l
The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the expansive terrace of Wyatt’s penthouse. The panoramic view of the city was breathtaking, with skyscrapers reflecting the sun’s brilliance and the streets below teeming with life. Leander leaned back in one of the plush armchairs, a tumbler of whiskey resting on the table in front of him. Across from him, Wyatt lounged in his usual carefree manner, his tie loosened and the top button of his shirt undone.“So,” Wyatt began, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, “how’s Brianna handling your new found glory as a corporate savior?”Leander chuckled, shaking his head. “She’s proud, of course, but she keeps reminding me not to let it get to my head. Says she doesn’t want to live with an ego the size of this penthouse.”Wyatt laughed, the sound rich and genuine. “Smart woman. You’d be insufferable if you started taking yourself too seriously.”“Says the man who had a custom portrait commissioned for his office,” Leander shot back, smirking.