9. Desperation's Gambit

The sunlight glowed inside as Leon stormed through the polished glass doors of HH's headquarters, his footsteps echoing in the grand marble-floored lobby. 

His frustration simmered just beneath the surface, a dangerous fire that threatened to consume him entirely. A month had passed since Jada had left, and it was as if she had vanished into thin air. 

The walls of worry were closing in on him, and he couldn't wait any longer. Her memories could resurface at any moment, and his carefully laid plans would crumble to dust.

He had hoped to finish the job before making any move on the business, but time was no longer on his side. The relentless tick-tock of the clock had become an unbearable reminder of his mounting desperation.

With determined steps, Leon marched towards the elevators, his piercing eyes focused like laser beams, and his usual charisma was masked by the shadow of anxiety.

As he ascended to the top floor, Leon couldn't help but replay the thoughts in his head, 'She has no memory of her past life, me, or the vast empire her father had built. This is the perfect opportunity to eliminate her and take full control of HH Holdings. But that ass had to ruin it all! Damn it!'

His frustration grew, knowing that a month had passed, and Jada showed no sign of remembering or re-entering the public eye. The longer she remained hidden, the greater the risk that someone might discover the truth about that night. He couldn't afford to wait any longer. He knew had to take the risk, even if it meant exposing his true intentions.

When Leon reached the top floor, he walked down the corridor lined with glass-walled offices. Finally, he arrived at the door with the polished brass plate that read "Jada Kingsley - CEO." 

A frown crossed his face as he entered without knocking, his rage increasing by the second.

After hanging his jacket on the rack, he sank into the leather chair behind the desk, his fingers drumming impatiently on its armrests. 

It was time to make a move, so Leon picked up the intercom phone and pressed the button for his secretary, a young woman named Emily.

After a few seconds, Emily's voice came through the speaker, timid and hesitant. "Mr. Kingsley?"

"Emily," Leon said, his voice tinged with impatience, "I need you to gather the board members. I have something important to discuss."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Leon could almost sense Emily's unease. But she said no further words and answered with a simple, "Yes, boss." before disconnecting.

Minutes felt like hours as Leon waited in Jada's office. He knew that what he was about to do was a dangerous gamble, but it was one he had to take. 

Finally, the massive doors to Jada's office swung open. An older gentleman in a tailored suit walked in, his graying hair and sharp eyes giving him an air of importance as he introduced himself with a polite nod, "Greetings, Mr. Kingsley. I'm Lilcon, Mr. Chase's lawyer."

Watching him enter the room, Leon regarded the lawyer with a cold, calculating gaze. He had heard of Lilcon before, a shrewd and tenacious attorney who had been a thorn in everyone who dared go against Chase Aniston.

"Lilcon," Leon acknowledged, "please, have a seat."

The lawyer took a chair in front of Jada's desk, his posture composed and confident. "I assume you have some business to handle today, Mr. Kingsley, so I won't take up too much of your time."

There was a brief pause, and then Leon leaned forward, his fingers steepled in front of him, saying, "Why are you here?"

With a faint smile, Lilcon raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable as he said, "A straightforward man, I see. I like that."

"If that's the case, cut the bullcrap and answer me. Why, Are, You, Here?" Leon asked, his eyes hardened.

The two gazes locked, and then Mr. Lilcon sighed, answering, "Mrs. Kingsley wants a divorce, and I am here on her behalf because she doesn't want to drag this out any longer. She has given you a month to get over her, and she's really to move on."

"Move on with who?" Leon asked, his fist clutching tightly.

The smile on the lawyer's face widened slightly before he put on a professional expression and said, "That, I don't know. My only job is to get her a divorce, and that's why I am here... To negotiate with you." 

For a split second, the flame in Leon's eyes blasted, and then he paused, resting back in his seat as he whispered, "Negotiate, you say?" 

~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~

The morning light seeped through the delicate curtains, gently awakening Jada. She blinked her drowsy eyes, adjusting to the soft brightness that danced across her room. 

Just then, a knock echoed on her door, echoing through the room's stillness, and she rose from her bed, her bare feet meeting the coolness of the polished floor. She grasped the cold brass handle with trembling hands, her fingertips tingling with nervousness and excitement.

The door creaked open, revealing a sight that intrigued and confused her. Standing before her were five women, each radiating an air of grace and elegance that seemed almost otherworldly. 

"Miss," one of the women spoke softly, her voice gentle and melodic, "Master said we should bathe and dress you."

Widening her eyes, a nervous laugh escaped Jada's lips. She waved her hand dismissively. "There's no need. I can do it myself," 

The women sideeyed each other, and then they met her gaze, their eyes filled with concern and sorrow. 

"No one has ever defied Master's orders before, Miss," One pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. "Please, don't make us do so. We beg of you."

Jada took a step back, allowing them to enter her room. "Alright," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please, show me what I must do."

Relief washed over their faces, a flicker of gratitude dancing in their eyes. The women moved closer to Jada, their delicate hands unbuttoning her nightgown and drawing the soft fabric away from her body. Goosebumps prickled her skin as the cool air kissed her exposed flesh.

They guided her towards a large tub near the bathroom window, where the first rays of sunlight painted golden streaks upon the water's surface. 

"Where is he? Chase..." Jada whispered, looking back at the women around her.