Chapter 4. His Rise
Five days later, Leo summoned his assistant, to his office.
“How’s the investigation on Laura Grey going?” Leo’s voice was sharp as he gazed out at the sprawling skyline of TheCity from his floor-to-ceiling windows, his tall figure casting an imposing shadow.
“I-I’m sorry, Mr. Carter. There hasn’t been any progress,” Charles stammered, visibly uneasy.
“After Madam Laura left that night, she didn’t return to the sanatorium where she worked. I even checked her address, only to discover it was a dead end. There are no families with the last name Grey in that area.”
“A fake address?” Leo turned slowly, his gaze icy and piercing. “How does that even happen?”
“Yes. I contacted the local police, but there’s no record of her,” Charles explained, still referring to her as Madam Laura despite the circumstances.
Leo’s mind raced. Who exactly had he married? Was she hiding something? “She left with Victor Harding that night. Any leads on him?”
“To be honest, if Mr. Harding wanted to keep his new relationship under wraps, it’d be tough for us to find anything,” Charles admitted.
At that, Leo’s anger flared. “Victor Harding seems like a gentleman. How could he stoop so low as to take another man’s wife?”
“Well, he’s not really stealing; he’s more like… stepping into her life,” Charles tried to clarify but quickly fell silent under Leo’s withering glare.
Leo couldn’t shake the memory of that night, Victor’s protective demeanor toward Laura. A gnawing unease settled in his gut. Laura had always been uninspiring, yet Victor—known for his ruthless nature—had shown her unexpected loyalty. What did that say about her?
“Leo, can we not get a divorce?” Laura’s voice echoed in his mind, desperate.
“It’s because I love you!” she had pleaded.
“Liar!” He clenched his fists, the air in the room growing frigid as his anger simmered.
His phone buzzed, breaking his concentration. It was Suzanne. He picked up quickly. “Susie? What’s going on?”
“Leo, I’m in your company’s lobby. Can you come down? I brought some dessert for you to try,” Suzanne chimed, her tone sugary sweet.
“You’re in the lobby?” Leo frowned, a knot tightening in his stomach.
“Yes. What’s the matter, Leo? Don’t you want to see me?” she cooed, playfully.
“It’s nothing. Charles will escort you up.” He hung up, his expression hardening. The divorce with Laura hadn’t been finalized, and Suzanne’s visit could stir up unwanted gossip.
He didn’t care what anyone thought. But still…
His phone buzzed again. This time, the caller made him tense.
“Grandpa.”
“Idiot! You dumb Bastard! Are you even listening to me?” his grandfather, Archibald Carter, barked into the phone.
“Haven’t I told you to steer clear of that woman if you married Laura? And now you bring her to your company? Even if you don’t give a damn about your reputation, think about Laura’s! Get over here immediately!”
The atmosphere in the reception room was stifling. Archibald sat down heavily, aided by his assistant and son, his expression dark and clouded.
Leo stood rigidly in front of him, while Suzanne waited outside, denied entry by Archibald, who had declared, “I won’t waste my time on that cheap woman.”
“Explain! What’s she doing here?” Archibald slammed his cane down, demanding answers.
“Dad, please calm down…” Andre intervened, trying to soothe his father while casting Leo a reproachful look.
“Grandpa, the five-year contract is up,” Leo said hoarsely. “You promised me I’d only be married to Laura for five years. After that, I’d have the option to stay or leave.”
Archibald’s expression shifted from anger to shock. He hadn’t realized five years had flown by so quickly. “Now you want to end it to be with someone else?” His grandfather raged
“You shouldn’t have any objections to this. Laura has signed the divorce papers, and we’ll handle the formalities soon,” Leo stated coldly.
“What? You’re divorcing her?” Archibald roared, rising abruptly, his face draining of color as he swayed unsteadily.
Leo stepped forward to support him, but Archibald shoved him away, furious.
“Dad, they haven’t finalized the divorce yet. They’ve just signed the papers. You’ve just had a stroke, for heaven’s sake—don’t get worked up!” Andre warned, fearing his father would relapse.
“Oh god! What kind of sin have I committed? I didn’t like Sophia as my daughter-in-law, and now I can’t even find a granddaughter-in-law I approve of?” Archibald whined, like a petulant child.
Leo stood stiffly, feeling awkward as he held his hand in mid-air, unsure how to respond.
“I want Laura back! Bring her to me! If you divorce her, I’ll lose my appetite. I don’t want anyone else! I want Laura to be my granddaughter-in-law!” Archibald threw a tantrum.
“Leo! Call Laura and bring her to me now!” he demanded, voice rising.
“Grandpa, it’s pointless. Even if I get her here, our marriage is over. There’s no going back.” Leo felt it best to cut ties cleanly; time would dull the pain.
Archibald almost kept out of the bed to choke his grandson. “I don’t think you understand what I’m saying Leo. If you don’t bring her back, then you’re not getting any of my inheritance!”
Leo and Andre’s eyes widened in shock. “G-grandfather, you’re overreacting. Are you really going to deny me of my birth rite because of that girl?” Leo asked in shock.
“Yes!” Archibald yelled to everyone’s shock. “If you don’t get her back, then all your inheritance will go to your cousin Nathaniel you don’t get anything!”
Leo and every single one that heard him immediately paled in fear.
“Ahhh!” Archibald suddenly cried out, clutching at his chest as he began to tremble. Panic washed over Leo and Andre, who rushed to call for a doctor.
With no other choice, Leo reluctantly dialed Laura’s number.
“The number you have dialed is not in service.”
She had not only vanished but had also cut off all communication?
“Damn it!” Leo’s frustration boiled over, fists clenching tightly.
Meanwhile, across the city, at the entrance of Liberty World Hotel, executives anxiously awaited their new manager.
“I heard the new general manager is a young woman,” one murmured.
“Hmph! She won’t succeed. The last four male managers failed miserably and got shuffled around or resigned. You really think she’ll do any better?” another scoffed.
“I heard she’s Mr. Harding’s daughter…”
“Mr. Harding has too many wives and mistresses. She’s probably just a slutty mistress or a Bastard daughter sent to clean up the mess,” someone sneered.
The crowd laughed derisively.
“She’s here! The new boss has arrived!”
A Rolls-Royce rolled up, accompanied by a line of Rolls Royce cars, creating a spectacle. The executives fell silent as they spotted the car’s luxurious plate, nobody daring to breathe.
The car door opened, revealing striking black high heels with red soles first. A woman with a stunning figure and long, flowing hair stepped out. She exuded confidence, and her beauty left everyone momentarily speechless.
“Hello, everyone,” Laura greeted, her smile radiant. “I’m your new general manager. And just to clarify, I’m not a mistress or a bastard daughter. Sorry to disappoint.”
