Three seconds were just enough to take a breath. How could she think of a way to please him in such a short time?
Something was not right. Could it be that he was offended because she kept asking questions about Carl? That was why he wanted her to please him?
The thought just crossed her mind when she heard Leonardo say, “Time’s up.”
Summer’s mouth twitched. Just as she found him acting weird, he reached over, lifted her chin up, and kissed her.
Half a minute passed, and Leonardo reluctantly pulled away. He spoke like a parent teaching his kid as he looked into her misty eyes. “Do you understand now?”
Summer nodded like a dumb child. So after all that hassle, all he wanted was to kiss her. Leonardo was happy now. He gave her a pat on the head, told her to stay in the car, and got out.
“Where are you going?” Summer managed to poke her head out of the window and ask him.
Leonardo just glanced at her. He said nothing and walked into Jarrett Group.
She pursed her lips. It seemed that she was right; Leonardo came because of her resignation.
It was right after office hours, and people had just started to leave. After his identity was revealed, people now began to recognize him. Even those who did not would still do a double-take because of his unique aloof nature and charm. However, Leonardo did not seem to notice the stares as he walked straight to the elevator.
The receptionist, who was just a few days into her job, saw Leonardo striding in. She quickly went after him and called out, “Excuse me, Sir. May I help you?”
“I’m looking for your company president, Mr. Jarrett.” Leonardo looked back and said with a faint voice.
The receptionist initially wanted to ask if he had made a prior appointment, but she changed her words when she caught his cold stare. “Mr. Jarrett is in his office…”
“Thank you.” There was no expression on Leonardo’s face as he said that. He then strode into the elevator.
It was only after the elevator doors closed that the receptionist patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief as she recovered from his overwhelming stare.
…
In the president’s office, as Alexander finished his last piece of document for the day, someone pushed the door open. It irked him that someone was entering his office without knocking on the door first. He frowned as he looked up and saw Leonardo coming in and closing the door behind him.
“Mr. Emerson?” He put down his pen and got to his feet.
Leonardo swept his eyes over the stacks of documents in front of Alexander with a half-smile on his face. “Mr. Jarrett, you really work your fingers to the bone.”
“Mr. Emerson, please cut the cackle. What do you want?” Alexander looked at Leonardo in his eyes as he spoke, but he just maintained eye contact for a few seconds before he looked away.
Leonardo always had that cold and overpowering energy in his eyes, which was akin to an alpha wolf. It was vicious and determined. Just one stare was enough to strike fear into people’s hearts.
Alexander’s heart skipped a beat. He straightened up instead of leaning his back against the chair as if he was bracing for something.
His little reaction could have never escaped Leonardo’s keen eyes.
“I heard stories about Mr. Jarrett Sr. when I was little. What a shame that you’ve seemed to become disoriented as you’ve grown old.”
Leonardo sat down in the chair opposite Alexander. Standing at 1. 9 meters, he was still a lot taller than Alexander even in a sitting position. His height advantage further magnified his powerful presence.
“Mr. Emerson, are you making fun of me?” Alexander could almost guess the purpose of his unannounced visit.
“Do I need to make fun of what you’re doing now, Mr. Jarrett?” Leonardo sneered. “By not letting Summer go, you think you can keep her in Jarrett Group and under your control?”
Alexander’s expression suddenly changed, his facial muscles stiffening.
Leonardo was pleased to see that. “Back then, after you struck a deal with the Emersons and left the country, they thought that you would spend the rest of your days abroad. Yet, you have returned. It looks like there’s nothing you can say for sure in this world.”
Alexander’s face appeared even worse now. “Mr. Emerson, I don’t know what you are talking about. As for Summer’s intention of resigning, although she is married to you, she is still a Jarrett. I make the ultimate decision!”
“Oh, really?”
Leonardo broke into a bigger smile, his voice softening yet still creepy. “When we were kidnapped back then, you helped the Emerson family find us. The Emerson family was grateful for that, so they agreed to the marriage arrangement between me and Vicky. It was supposed to be something good, but why did you have to leave the country?”
Leonardo’s words seemingly crossed the line as Alexander raised his hand and showed him the door. “It was my decision to leave the country! What does that have to do with you? Leave! This is my company. You are not welcome here!”
“This place will be mine by tomorrow if I want it to.” Leonardo squinted, his face icy cold. “Don’t think that Michael or anyone can help you. They have enough on their plates.”
Alexander’s expression changed, and his lips were frozen. There was not a word from him. The last time he saw Leonardo when he was little, it was just a glimpse at the abandoned warehouse. At that time, Leonardo’s face was covered in dirt. He had a glazed look in his eyes as if he had the wits scared out of him. Alexander thought the kid was a basket case. After that, when he requested a marriage deal with the Emersons, the Emersons hastily agreed, probably because they thought Leonardo had no hope of recovery.
Little did he expect that after fifteen years, the kid he thought was a basket case would be sitting in his office, calmly threatening him to his face. The one mistake that he ever made in his life was to underestimate the kid back then, who grew up to be the current Leonardo.
Alexander shook his head, collapsing back into his chair. His voice was hoarse and frail. “There’s not much that I know. I just saw a woman who looked a little like your father outside the abandoned factory. She should be your father’s sister.”
Leonardo looked at him, and it was as though a storm was brewing inside his eyes. “Do I look like a fool to you?”
He did not believe in what Alexander said. Michael’s younger sister, Violet Emerson was Adams’s mother as well as Leonardo’s aunt. Violet and Leonardo’s mom had been best friends for decades. After his mother’s death, Violet was depressed for many years. Not to mention, Violet was still abroad when the unfortunate incident happened to his mom.
“Mr. Emerson, I have nothing to ask for at my age now. I just want to protect Jarrett Group.” Alexander seemed to be exhausted, leaning on his chair and sighing. There was no need for him to bluff Leonardo anymore.