A small leak could sink a great ship, much less a business enterprise like Jarrett Group, which had been exposed for having shady practices.
Summer had a bad feeling that things were not over yet for Jarrett Group. Instead, it would be the beginning of an implosion. The company may have gained investment and deals, but at the end of the day, it was the consumers who would make or break it when the products were on the shelf. In the Internet age, one should not underestimate the influence of social media. If anything were to happen to Jarrett Group again, however small it might be, people would rake up the dirt and a boycott could ensue. With so many rivals out there, consumers had choices, and Jarrett Group was nothing.
Realizing what Leonardo was up to now, Summer felt a chill run up her spine. On the surface, it appeared like Leonardo was helping Jarrett Group, but his ultimate aim was to destroy it.
…
As soon as the car arrived before the mansion, Summer immediately got out. It was in the middle of winter, and the temperature kept plummeting. Summer was shivering in the chilly wind, her face as pale as a sheet of paper. Upon stepping into the living room, she did not see Leonardo there.
“Mrs. Emerson, the young master is in the study room upstairs,” a bodyguard with a keen eye said. Summer went straight to see Leonardo.
Leonardo just got home too and still had his overcoat on. He was running his hand over some books on the shelf when he heard the door open. He looked back and saw Summer, breaking into a faint smile.
“You’re back.” He then continued to search for some books on the shelf.
Summer went up to him and held his arm so that she could see him face to face. Looking him straight in the eye, she spoke very slowly, word by word, “What do you want? What grudge do you hold against Jarrett Group?”
“Your hands are so cold.” Leonardo had retracted his hand, now holding hers. His large hands were warm-so warm that Summer just wanted to keep it that way and enjoy their warmth. A man like Leonardo could easily win any woman’s heart with just his words when he let go of his ego.
She cut away from the thought, pulling her hands back and repeating her question, “What grudge do you hold against Jarrett Group?”
“Are you questioning me?” Leonardo looked at his hands, his expression turning sullen.
“You know what I mean.”
Leonardo turned around and sank into his chair. “I thought you didn’t care about Jarrett Group anymore since you tipped off a paparazzo to expose the shady practices of their factory.”
She looked at him, shocked beyond words because he apparently knew everything. Leonardo was pleased with her reaction, his dark eyes looking at her but revealing none of his own emotions.
A long moment later, she heard him speaking in a grim voice, “I can find out everything about you if I want to.”
That meant she was transparent before him. He knew everything she did. It was as if he was threatening her now.
“Is this important to you at all? Is monitoring my every move giving you a sense of accomplishment?”
She raised her voice slightly. In her eyes, Leonardo was probably a madman. He was treating her like his pet in a cage, monitoring her every action.
“I’m just concerned about you.” He seemed to ignore her stirred emotions as he continued, “If not, how do you think I managed to arrive in time to save you from the kidnappers when Lynn and Vicky set you up?”
Although Summer was mentally prepared for this, she was struck dumb by what he said. He really knew everything. She felt naked in front of him. He may not have had any ill intent in mind, but he was too possessive.
“Don’t look at me like that. I don’t like it.” Leonardo suddenly got to his feet. Covering her eyes with his hand, he kissed her on the lips lightly, then said in a voice that was as mellow as old wine, “Just be my good girl and everything will be fine.”
His lips were just as warm as his hands, but they still sent shivers down her spine.
Leonardo drew her into his arms and ran his large hand through her cascading hair. His voice was hoarse but affectionate. “Don’t worry, I won’t treat you the way I treat them. You’re the one I’m spending my life with. I couldn’t love you more…”
Summer’s body froze, but every cell in her body was screaming to get away from him. After a while, she finally found her voice. “Jarrett Group-”
“Jarrett Group will be fine. Isn’t Jarrett Sr. still there?”
Leonardo let go of her, sorting out the messy bangs dangling over her forehead. “Let’s have dinner.”
Jarrett Sr.? Summer followed Leonardo down the stairs. Her hand was in his, but her mind had gone elsewhere.
If what Jessica told her about the arranged marriage between the Jarretts and the Emersons was anything to go by, Jarrett Sr. must be a key figure in the entire affair. Jarrett Sr. had never returned to the country since he moved abroad. Summer had not seen Jarrett Sr. for over ten years. She had nearly forgotten about her grandfather, remembering only because people kept mentioning him, and Leonardo just mentioned Jarrett Sr. So, his purpose was…
When the penny dropped, Summer stopped dead in her tracks, looking at Leonardo. “You want to use Jarrett Group to force my grandpa to return to the country?”
“Clever girl.” He looked back at her, pleased with her wittiness.
“What’s your purpose for doing that?”
Was there something behind the arranged marriage between the two families, and this something was important to Leonardo? Since Leonardo escaped the kidnapping years ago, he had been staying under the radar. Why? Too many things were unexplained. The more she thought of them, the more confused she became.
Douglas had been waiting in the dining room, but he did not touch his food before Leonardo and Summer came. When the two finally entered, hand in hand, he curled his lips, mumbling, “She deserves better.”
While Leonardo pulled out a chair for Summer, he said to Douglas without looking at him, “Your teacher told me you’ve been falling behind in your studies. I’ll start sending you to tuition classes.” What a weasel.
“No!” Douglas’s face changed, and he had to eat his own words. “You two are a perfect match.”
He would rather die than go to tuition classes. He secretly glared at Leonardo, then turned to look at Summer, all smiles as he fetched her food. “Summer, please eat more of this.”
“Thank you.”
Holding out her bowl to receive the dish from him, she now found herself in the same boat as Douglas.