Camila and Marcella, still watching from the sidelines, exchanged amused glances. “It looks like Mr. Perfect doesn’t have all the answers,” Marcella exclaimed. “He can’t even handle a simple ticket, let alone a relationship,” Camila added with a sly grin. Leander finally stopped scrolling, realizing he wasn’t going to find what he was looking for. He turned back to the bouncer, frustration etched across his face. “There must be a mistake. We purchased them.” The bouncer held up a hand, cutting him off. “Look, uh, if you don’t have the tickets, you’re not getting in. Please, step aside and let the others through.” Leander clenched his jaw, his frustration reaching a boiling point as he and Lindsey were forced to move out of the way. “Uh, I guess money can’t buy everything, after all,” Marcella whispered, her voice dripping with satisfaction. Camila shook her head in mock pity. “Especially without a clue on how to keep a relationship—or even get into a club without making a
With composure regained, Leander started the car and set off, determined to locate Lindsey. But no matter how hard he tried, she was nowhere to be found. The sense of failure weighed heavily on him, leaving him anxious and deeply troubled. Leander could hardly believe the drama unfolding around him. “Something must have gone wrong,” he muttered, his expression a mix of disbelief and confusion. Gripping the steering wheel, Leander’s knuckles turned white as he pressed harder on the accelerator. His mind raced with thoughts of what had just happened. The gravity of the situation pressed down on him, making it difficult to breathe. He had seen Lindsey upset before, but never like this. Her pale, stricken face replayed in his mind, alongside the damning photos—those haunting images looping endlessly in his thoughts. How could this have happened? How had he let it happen? A wave of nausea hit Leander, forcing him to pull over. He gasped for air, his heart pounding in his chest. With a f
Finally, Leander and Wyatt made it to Lindsey’s residence, successfully executing the plans they had made together. Leander’s heart raced faster as they got closer to the entrance, but he was fully prepared for what lay ahead. As anticipated, they encountered Lindsey, who warmly welcomed and accepted both of them. He turned to Wyatt, whispering, “Uh, let’s hope this goes well.” Wyatt took a deep breath as he settled into a couch, staring at the corners of the room before finally landing his gaze on Lindsey, who was bringing with her bottles of rich red wine and three glasses. After everyone was seated, Lindsey turned to face them with a warm, welcoming smile that belied the tension of their past. Leander's breath caught in his throat, but he steeled himself and stepped forward. “Hi Lindsey,” Leander began, his voice steady but with an underlying pool of emotions. Lindsey looked at them, her eyes softening, and she nodded slightly. “Of course, Leander. It's good to see you bot
Wyatt’s expression tightened with concern as he leaned forward. “Lindsey, please,” he urged, his tone sharp. “It would help if you could tell us who sent you those photos.” Lindsey met his gaze, hesitating before shaking her head, her brows knitting together in a mix of confusion and caution. “I’ll tell you later. For now, it’s safer if I keep it to myself, especially since you look so eager to find out.” Leander’s frustration bubbled over, and he couldn’t hold back. “Lindsey,” he shot back, his voice hardening as he locked eyes with her. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll find out the truth myself if I have to.” Lindsey’s eyes slightly widened, but she remained firm, her silence saying a lot as the tension escalated. “Till that day comes, goodbye!” Leander stood up, his chair scraping against the floor as he pushed it back. The finality in his tone left no room for argument. Her face held a blend of regret, anger, and something unsaid as she watched him. Without uttering a single word
Leander sighed, clearly in a hurry. “I’m not interested in chatting right now,” he replied curtly. The man, sensing the urgency, persisted. “Please, I’m begging you. I need some advice, and I’ve heard you’re the best person to ask.” Leander stopped, his frustration wavering. He assessed the man’s earnest expression and decided to listen. “Fine, what’s this about?” The man explained his business struggles, detailing how he was on the brink of a major deal but lacked crucial guidance. Leander listened with a growing sense of empathy. After a moment, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his business card. “Here, take this. It’s my card and an exclusive pass to visit me at my office. We can discuss this further there, okay?” The man’s eyes lit up with gratitude. “Thank you so much, Mr. Goldstein! I really appreciate it.” Leander nodded curtly. “Just make sure you’re prepared. I don’t have time for casual talks.” With that, he turned and headed towards his car, the man watching
Sophia sat at the dining table, savoring the rich flavors of the meal. She laughed while chatting with the former female mayor of Etherium City, Mrs. Anderson, and a few close friends. “Wow, this roast is delicious,” Mrs. Anderson said, taking a bite. “You must share the recipe with me, Sophia.” “I’d be happy to,” Sophia replied, smiling. “It’s one of my favorites.” Laughter and conversation filled the room as they enjoyed their meal. The TV in the corner was tuned to a news channel, but it played softly in the background, barely noticed. Suddenly, the tone of the newscaster’s voice changed. “We have breaking news coming in. Reports and eyewitnesses are confirming the tragic incident that the son of the owner of Veritas Conglomerates, Leander Goldstein, has been shot dead at the train station. His body was taken by unknown gunmen before security could intervene.” Sophia’s fork froze mid-air. Her eyes widened in shock as she heard the news. The room seemed to spin around her. “No…
After about thirty minutes, Mrs. Anderson and her convoy arrived at the hospital where Sophia, Leander's mother, had been admitted. The atmosphere was tense as the vehicles rolled to a stop in the parking lot. Mrs. Anderson, ever composed despite the frustration inside her, stepped out of her Range Rover, adjusting her dress with a swift motion before striding purposefully towards the hospital entrance. As she entered the reception area, her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. In the air, the scent of antiseptic mingled with whispered conversations and the steady beeping of medical devices. Mrs. Anderson’s heart tightened with worry as she approached the front desk. A nurse noticed her presence and quickly stepped forward. “How may I assist you, ma’am?” the nurse asked, her tone respectful, recognizing the former mayor immediately. “Sophia Goldstein,” Mrs. Anderson said briskly. “She was brought in not long ago. I need to know her condition.” The nurse nodded, quickly checking
The news of Leander's death shattered Brianna. She had been weeping bitterly since she heard the tragic news. She couldn’t believe the story that Leander had been shot while trying to save Camila. On the edge of her bed, she felt a mixture of grief and anger. She couldn’t help but think about their time together on campus—their outings, the fun they had, and even the day they argued about Leander wanting to buy Ethereum University. But what truly broke her was the memory of their last meeting—the day Leander kissed her for the first time. The tears she had been holding back finally overwhelmed her. Just then, a knock interrupted her thoughts. Startled, Brianna looked up, tears still in her eyes. “Who’s there?” “It’s Ava,” came the reply. Before Brianna could respond, the door slowly creaked open, and Ava appeared in the doorway. “Brianna, what's wrong?” Ava, concerned, asked as she noticed the tears streaming down Brianna’s face. “I need to know that you're okay.” Briann