Leo did not answer Xavier’s question because he was contemplating the intention behind Jason’s recent actions.
Earlier, Jason had deliberately blocked Jackson’s view, preventing Jackson from noticing Leo and Leo from seeing Jackson’s face.
Soon, Leo understood why Jason was eager to make him leave; Jason simply did not want him to meet Jackson.
It seemed Jackson might still be unaware of Leo’s existence.
“Leo, what are you thinking about? I’ll introduce you to my Uncle Jackson later,” Xavier said eagerly. “The family hasn’t told him about you yet because they didn’t want to distract him.”
Xavier’s words confirmed Leo’s suspicions.
“No need,” Leo shook his head with a smile.
Although Leo was curious about his own background, he had little interest in the Bloomer family.
While Leo and Xavier were having dinner at a restaurant, Josiah called.
This old fox, calling now of all times, just when Leo had come to the capital.
Leo thought for a moment and decided to answer the call.
“Hello, Uncle, what’s the matter?”
“Leo, it’s been a long time. I’ve missed you. How have you been?” Josiah’s voice was full of concern.
“I’ve been fine,” Leo replied briefly.
“I heard you’re in the capital. Would you like to have lunch tomorrow? Do you have time?” Josiah sounded enthusiastic.
Leo declined directly, “Sorry, I’m heading back to Langstel tonight.”
“In such a hurry? Leo, Marina wants to see you… It’s been a while since you last met, hasn’t it?” Josiah said with a chuckle.
Hearing Marina’s name made Leo hesitate.
Although he didn’t think much of Josiah and Baldwin, he had a good impression of Marina.
Back then, Marina had given him a set of precious Golden Dragon Silver Needles.
Wondering how she was doing lately, Leo hesitated for a moment and said, “Alright, see you tomorrow at noon.”
“Great, it’s settled then. I’ll send you the restaurant address later. You must come,” Josiah said with a laugh before hanging up.
As soon as the call ended, the smile on Josiah’s face vanished, replaced by a cunning expression.
After dinner and parting ways with Xavier, Leo checked into a nearby hotel.
He freshened up and had a long phone conversation with Sophia before an uneventful night.
The next day at noon, Leo took a taxi to the location Josiah had sent.
The place was an elegantly decorated restaurant with an antique style.
As lunchtime approached, the restaurant was bustling with business. The entire hall was packed and lively.
“Sorry, sir, we’re fully booked,” said a manager-like man as he approached Leo, who had walked in alone.
“I’m here to meet someone,” Leo stated directly, giving the name of the private room.
Upon hearing the room name, the man’s expression changed abruptly. “Are you Mr. Leo Bloomer?”
“Yes,” Leo nodded.
“Please follow me. The guests upstairs have been waiting for you.”
The man quickly led Leo upstairs with a respectful posture.
At the door of a private room on the second floor stood two men in black vests. One of them was Harvey, whom Leo recognized.
Harvey greeted Leo with a blank expression before opening the door and inviting him in.
The private room was spacious, carpeted, with a large round table in the center.
Josiah was already there, sitting at the head of the table. Baldwin and Marina were also present, seated on either side of him.
“Leo, you’re finally here. Please have a seat!” Josiah stood up eagerly to welcome him.
Leo smiled and nodded politely. “Uncle Meredith, it’s been a while.”
Baldwin glanced at Leo with a hint of arrogance in his eyes before pulling out a chair next to him for Leo to sit.
Marina trembled slightly upon seeing Leo. She pressed her lips tightly together, struggling to control her emotions.
It had been over two months since she last saw Leo. During that time, she often thought about his resolute face and how he had stood in front of everyone to protect her.
When Leo last came to the capital, she had wanted to see him but was confined at home by Josiah and not allowed to go out.
Leo smiled faintly at Marina before ignoring Baldwin’s gesture and walking straight to sit beside her. “Miss Meredith, you’ve lost weight,” he said with genuine concern.
These simple words carried immense power. Marina’s heart trembled, and her eyes reddened instantly.
Josiah’s expression changed momentarily upon seeing this but quickly returned to normal without saying anything.
Baldwin couldn’t hold back any longer. He frowned and said coldly, “Leo, who told you to sit there?”
“I decided to sit here myself,” Leo replied with a faint smile before looking at Josiah. “Uncle Meredith, is there a problem with me sitting here?”
“No problem at all,” Josiah replied with a smile and then glared fiercely at Baldwin.
“Leo, are you hungry?” Josiah asked with concern.
Leo shook his head.
“If you’re not hungry, let’s wait a bit longer. We have another guest who hasn’t arrived yet,” Josiah said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Leo knew this old fox had other motives for inviting him to lunch and was curious to see what he was up to.
After waiting for only a few minutes, Harvey knocked on the door before opening it respectfully. “Sir, Jackson Bloomer has arrived!”
“Josiah, long time no see!” A loud voice boomed into the room as a middle-aged man in casual clothes walked in briskly.
The man moved with agility and confidence; each step was strong and purposeful.
His appearance matched his demeanor-resolute and composed, with bright eyes and an energetic presence that exuded charisma.
“Jackson! I’ve missed you!” Josiah quickly got up, walked around the table, and hugged Jackson warmly.
“I heard your old man wasn’t feeling well. How is he now?” Josiah asked about Nicholas’s health first.
“He’s fine. The doctor checked him yesterday and said he’s in good health,” Jackson replied.
Josiah led Jackson to sit down before saying, “You’ve had it tough being away from home all these years!”
Josiah felt somewhat relieved as he said this. If it hadn’t been for his family’s connections keeping him here back then, it might have been him living far away at the border now.
“Serving my country is never tough. As an Atrarian, every inch of Atraria is my homeland!” Jackson laughed heartily with carefree ease.