They tracked down our residential address; originally, their intention was to steal the gambling stone, but they happened to encounter Tina and decided to kidnap her, all to pressure me into surrendering the gambling stone.
Leo’s explanation seemed logical, and after a moment of thought, Tina asked skeptically, “But those guys were so menacing, how could you have fought them?”
“I handed over the gambling stone to them.”
“Hmm, that makes sense.”
Tina, with a pout, glanced sideways. Leo hesitated before saying, “Tina, I need a favor.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t tell anyone at home what happened today.”
“No way!” Tina firmly shook her head. “Today, it was because of you that I was scared half to death, and I have to tell my sister and mom about it.”
“You can ask me to do anything as long as you don’t tell them,” Leo tried to entice her since reasoning with her didn’t seem to work.
Tina didn’t immediately object, she pondered for a moment, and then an idea crossed her mind. She turned her head to face Leo and asked, “Anything, you say?”
Leo nodded.
“Alright, you promised, don’t back out. I won’t tell them about today.”
“What do you want me to do?” Leo inquired.
Tina tapped her cheek with her finger and thought for a moment before replying, “I haven’t decided yet. Don’t rush me; I’ll let you know when I’ve made up my mind.”
After dropping Tina off at home, Leo went to the Golden Leaf Shopping Plaza to pick up Sophia after her work.
As for the Seven Stars Sword Sect matter, Leo knew that after losing two elders, they wouldn’t dare trouble him anytime soon. For now, he needed to focus on improving his cultivation. Once he reached the mid-level Spiritualist Master realm and could craft higher-level talismans, he could either bring the Seven Stars Sword Sect under his control or make them disappear from the martial world.
In the underground parking lot of the Golden Leaf Shopping Plaza, when Sophia spotted the Audi A8 from yesterday, she was surprised. She asked, “Did my mom give you the car back?”
Leo shook his head, “No, this is another one.”
“Leo, did you buy another new car?” Sophia inquired, incredulous.
Leo chuckled, “Yesterday, after I purchased the car at that Audi dealership, they had a lucky draw, and I happened to win. The prize was another Audi A8.”
Sophia widened her pretty eyes and gave Leo a reproachful look. “Come on, can you draft your stories before you start boasting? I can’t believe you have so much money; it’s like buying a car is as casual as buying bottled water.”
Leo grinned, “Sophia, it’s just a car, a means of transportation. If you ever want to fly in a helicopter, I’ll get one for you.”
“Alright, alright,” Sophia playfully rolled her eyes. “If you keep spending like this, I’ll confiscate all your money!”
“Earning money to save for my wife, it’s only right and proper. If you want to confiscate it, I’m a hundred percent willing.”
Leo felt that making money was easy for him now, and he was more than willing to provide for Sophia in any way that made her happy.
“Let’s go home!”
“OK.”
Sophia seemed a bit tired, and she didn’t say much during the drive. She leaned back in her seat and dozed off.
Leo had a keen eye for details and noticed Sophia’s demeanor. He asked with concern, “Sophia, is something bothering you at work?”
Without opening her eyes, Sophia responded with a sleepy “Hmm” and then sighed, “The economic environment is tough, and the competition in the cosmetics industry is becoming increasingly fierce. A company called Spring Wind Cosmetics has emerged recently. They sell the same cosmetics at lower prices, rapidly gaining a large market share. It’s causing our company’s market share to decline.”
Spring Wind Cosmetics?
Leo made a mental note of that name but decided not to use his abilities to help Sophia for now. He believed that Sophia, being a strong-willed girl, would rise to the occasion when faced with more significant challenges.
Sophia had never discussed her company’s affairs with Leo before, but today, for some reason, she chose to confide in him.
Sophia didn’t expect Leo to offer any constructive advice regarding her company’s situation. Instead, she asked a question, “Leo, I want to ask you something, and I need an honest answer.”
Seeing Sophia’s serious expression, Leo nodded, “Ask away, I promise to be honest.”
Sophia didn’t immediately ask her question but instead contemplated some recent memories she had of Leo. After a moment of reflection, she tilted her head and looked at Leo, asking, “I feel like you’ve become a different person. Can you tell me why?”
Leo’s face showed a moment of surprise, but he quickly smiled and replied, “Because of you.”
“Because of me?” Sophia looked puzzled.
Leo explained, “I’ve said it before, meeting you is the luckiest thing that ever happened in my life. I don’t want you to endure the scrutiny and ridicule of others, so I decided to change myself, to improve myself, so that I can be worthy of you.”
“That’s not it,” Sophia disagreed.
“What’s not it?”
“People can’t change so drastically all of a sudden. Moreover, these changes started when you began speaking. I believe you’re hiding some secrets.”
Hearing this, Leo was astonished. This woman was not only beautiful but also incredibly intelligent.
“Sophia, there are some things I’ll gradually tell you in the future. For now, just know that you’re the only one in my heart,” Leo said earnestly.
Sophia considered it for a moment and decided to respect Leo’s privacy. She replied, “Alright, I believe you. When you’re ready to tell me, you can.”
Leo remembered what had happened three years ago on that rainy night when a strange old man had injected him with a mysterious substance. Three years later, the strange old man had suddenly called and then disappeared. Leo felt that the situation was far from simple, and until he figured it out, he would keep it from Sophia.
Back home, Jessica was sitting on the living room couch watching TV. When she saw Sophia and Leo return, she had a delighted expression on her face and said excitedly, “Sophia, I’m so happy today!”
It was the first time in a while that Sophia had seen her mother so happy. She was a bit surprised and joked, “Mom, did you win five million dollars in the lottery?”