The next morning, Leander stood on the steps of the government building as the officials finalized the release of his father’s seized assets. The hum of voices and the tapping of keyboards filled the air, but all Leander could think about was how everything was finally falling into place. A middle-aged man wearing glasses and holding a folder approached him. "Mr. Goldstein, the necessary documents are ready. With today's ruling, all your father's holdings will be restored under your name—effective immediately." Leander nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and triumph. "That’s good to hear. Thank you." The man handed over the documents. "We apologize for the delay these legal issues caused. The properties, company shares, and investments listed here are now officially yours." Leander opened the folder and scanned the content. The long list of properties, businesses, offshore accounts, and investments made his heart race. His father’s legacy—everything that had been unjustly take
The night started with a casual walk through the streets of the coastal city, just before they reached the restaurant with the aquarium. Leander and Brianna strolled side by side, the breeze cool against their skin. The city lights sparkled along the waterfront, casting reflections over the calm sea. "Do you always have surprises planned, or is today special?" Brianna asked teasingly as they walked, her hands tucked into the sleeves of her light jacket. Leander grinned, adjusting his pace to stay in step with her. "Today is special, but I wanted to keep things simple at first." Brianna raised an eyebrow. "Simple, huh? You’re taking me to a fancy restaurant by the sea with dolphins swimming around. I don’t think you know what simple means." Leander chuckled. "Okay, you got me. But it’s all for a good reason." They made small talk as they walked past street vendors and musicians playing soft tunes for the evening crowd. Brianna seemed relaxed, her usual elegance showing in the
The night started with a casual walk through the streets of the coastal city, just before they reached the restaurant with the aquarium. Leander and Brianna strolled side by side, the breeze cool against their skin. The city lights sparkled along the waterfront, casting reflections over the calm sea. "Do you always have surprises planned, or is today special?" Brianna asked teasingly as they walked, her hands tucked into the sleeves of her light jacket. Leander grinned, adjusting his pace to stay in step with her. "Today is special, but I wanted to keep things simple at first." Brianna raised an eyebrow. "Simple, huh? You’re taking me to a fancy restaurant by the sea with dolphins swimming around. I don’t think you know what simple means." Leander chuckled. "Okay, you got me. But it’s all for a good reason." They made small talk as they walked past street vendors and musicians playing soft tunes for the evening crowd. Brianna seemed relaxed, her usual elegance showing in the
"Leander, you think you’re so much better now, don’t you?” Camila said, folding her arms as she leaned against the edge of the table. Her sharp eyes were locked on him, and her boyfriend, Rex, stood beside her with a smug expression. Leander tilted his head slightly, a small smile playing on his lips. “I don’t *think* I’m better. I just know I’ve worked hard to get here.” His tone was calm, deliberate. They were standing at an exclusive rooftop lounge, the perfect spot for the wealthy to mingle and flaunt their influence. The golden light from the setting sun made Camila’s features glow, but there was irritation on her face, hidden beneath a forced smile. Rex, dressed in a sharp, expensive suit, looked Leander up and down. “It’s funny seeing you like this. Back in the day, Camila told me you wouldn’t amount to much. Guess she wasn’t entirely wrong. I hear your position in the Goldstein family is still being questioned.” Leander’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes grew sharper.
Leander picked the call and pressed the phone to his ear. “Dorian, what now?” His voice was clipped, irritation creeping in from the disruption. On the other end, there was a pause, followed by a heavy sigh that told Leander whatever Dorian was about to say wouldn’t sit well with him.“You’re not gonna like this,” Dorian finally muttered.Leander leaned against the bar, motioning for a whiskey neat. “I already don’t. Just spit it out.”Dorian’s voice dropped into a solemn tone. “It’s about Camila.”Leander stiffened, his jaw clenching. He’d already endured enough of Camila’s mind games tonight, and the thought of her entangling him in another problem made his head ache. “What about her?”“She betrayed me.” The words came bluntly, as if Dorian was struggling to keep his frustration in check. “Everything we built, every agreement—she’s been feeding our competitors information. My private dealings. My investments.”Leander’s fingers tightened around the phone, his drink arriving just in
Leander picked the call and pressed the phone to his ear. “Dorian, what now?” His voice was clipped, irritation creeping in from the disruption. On the other end, there was a pause, followed by a heavy sigh that told Leander whatever Dorian was about to say wouldn’t sit well with him. “You’re not gonna like this,” Dorian finally muttered. Leander leaned against the bar, motioning for a whiskey neat. “I already don’t. Just spit it out.” Dorian’s voice dropped into a solemn tone. “It’s about Camila.” Leander stiffened, his jaw clenching. He’d already endured enough of Camila’s mind games tonight, and the thought of her entangling him in another problem made his head ache. “What about her?” “She betrayed me.” The words came bluntly, as if Dorian was struggling to keep his frustration in check. “Everything we built, every agreement—she’s been feeding our competitors information. My private dealings. My investments.” Leander’s fingers tightened around the phone, his drink arriving
Leander stared at his phone, knowing Dorian’s request wasn’t going to be as simple as calling Yvonne. The line went silent after their last exchange, but the weight of the conversation lingered. His gut told him Dorian wouldn’t reach out unless there was something big involved—something more than just apologies and regrets. His phone buzzed again, and Leander glanced at the screen. Another message from Dorian, “I need to meet you. It’s important.”Leander sighed. With a reluctant shake of his head, he texted back, “Where?”Dorian’s reply was quick. “My place. 30 minutes.”---Thirty minutes later, Leander pulled up in front of Dorian’s penthouse, the skyline glittering in the background. He hated getting dragged into situations like this, but curiosity and the nagging feeling of unfinished business kept him moving forward. Dorian opened the door before Leander could knock, greeting him with an uneasy smile. “Come in. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”Leander stepped inside, the fami
As Leander pushed open the door to leave Dorian’s penthouse, his phone buzzed again. He knew who it was without even looking. He sighed, debating whether to pick up or let it ring out. After a second, irritation won, and he swiped the screen. “Leander,” Dorian’s voice was smooth, but there was a slight edge to it. “You’re walking away from the deal too quickly. You’ll regret it.” Leander chuckled bitterly, already halfway down the hall. “Do you think I’m stupid, Dorian? You were setting me up from the start.” Dorian’s silence on the other end gave Leander all the confirmation he needed. “You thought I wouldn’t figure it out, huh?” Leander said, lowering his voice. “I pull the job, get the money, and the moment the Sullivans start sniffing around, you throw me under the bus. Tell them it was my idea. That I was the mastermind.” “That’s not—” Dorian started, but Leander cut him off. “Save it. I know exactly how this works. You keep your hands clean, and I take the fall. Smar