“The name of Mr. Rodrigo’s accomplice is Melvin Rome-“ Kennedy attempted to repeat his words, making sure that his employer had heard the information he intended to p*ss across, but abruptly, Leonica interrupted him.“No.” For a second, he was confused, not being able to decipher the emotion that had coated her voice, making it change from its usual soft melody. “Something must have gone wrong with that scan. Some sort of error, but it can’t be Melvin.” She stated, firmly refuting what her *ssistant had told her.She was sure about it, because unlike Kennedy who was new to the family, less than 6 years, she who had always been part of the Romero family had witnessed the demise of Melvin Romero.She had seen his body which had been burnt from head to toe by the fire that had engulfed the private school they both attended years ago.She witnessed his burial, watched as dirt was thrown on his coffin as he was lowered into the ground. Cried for him.She was there. Not Kennedy.“But Ms. Ro
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Melvin, or the man who looked exactly like Melvin, asked and turned towards Leonica, his cold and emotionless gaze scanning her body before settling on her face."Y-you're," Leonica took a step back, her entire face scrunched up in disbelief. "How are you..." She couldn't bring herself to ask how he was alive.Each word that came past her lips came in the form of a stutter or jumbled up nonsense. The lookalike laughed, and Leonica caused her brain for automatically thinking this lookalike, this fraud, was her brother.He wasn't. He couldn't be."You look pretty shocked kid sis, that isn't any way to welcome your big after so long.""Who are you?" Leonica asked, schooling her expression. She wasn't so easily going to fall prey to this stupid prank.That's right, this most certainly was one of Rodrigo's schemes. He must have gotten someone to get a face job to look exactly like her dead brother.All because...She paused and her mind placed two and two to
Although she had used going to a meeting as an excuse, Leonica had not even in the slightest bit, gone near any of the conference rooms, when she decided to make a U-turn into the restroom.After making sure that she was alone in the bathroom, she turned on the water and leaned her weight against the wash hand basin, staring absentmindedly at her own reflection.Not once did she blink, as her mind tried to process and break down what had just happened.Melvin was alive, that was a fact that she could no longer deny. From the look, demeanor and even the scar on his forearm, it was clear, that that imposter, was indeed her brother.And in his words, he had come back for his birthright, the very same company she was steadily running.Leonica nearly chuckled mockingly as she pondered over his audacious words. After years of deciding to take a break from life, he had resurface and suddenly wanted to claim the company she on her own had saved from destruction months ago?At this point, she
Leonica narrowed her eyes at her father’s words. He wanted them to have a talk? In this situation?“What’s there to talk about dad?” She questioned and When her question was met with silence from her father and a pleading gaze from her mother, she glanced between the two and scoffed. “Don’t tell me you honestly believe he's the same Melvin we knew?”“He’s your brother, Leonica.” Benjamin insisted softly.“Like hell he is!” Leonica was quick to flare up. “He's with Rodrigo the very same person who tried to take your company.”“And the same person who saved your brother.” Her father countered, confusing Leonica for a second.Rodrigo saved Melvin? Sure, she was currently aware that Rodrigo was with Melvin, but never for once had it occurred to her that he might have been her brother’s savoir.The look on her face was enough to convey her confusion to her parents and Benjamin could only but sigh.“Before you’re quick to condemn your brother, have you ever for once wondered how he survived
For the first time since the start of their conversation, Leonica was rendered speechless, not a single word coming past her parted lips.She just couldn't believe her ears, her father was seriously suggesting she step down as CEO and let Melvin take her position, after everything she had done."I think that's what is best for now." Benjamin said as he rested back in his chair and closed his eyes, purposely ignoring Leonica's bewildered stare."Um, honey," C*ssandra tentatively began, once again glancing between her husband and daughter. "Are you sure this is for the best?"Benjamin peeled one eye open to look at his wife. "Has my decision ever been wrong?"C*ssandra opened her mouth to answer, but immediately shut it. Her husband has indeed never made a wrong decision and his words have always been final. So, rather than trying to make him change his mind, she looked towards her daughter and gave her a sympathetic look.Meanwhile, Leonica could hardly believe her ears.She was gettin
Setting with anger, Leonica was near about to smack the smile off Melvin's face when she heard her name being called from being her.Her entire demeanor seemed to change the moment she turned around and spotted Owen carrying nylons of what she *ssumed was food.Melvin of course, didn’t fail to notice the shift in her character. His eyes gravitated from his little sister towards the blonde boy who was staring speechlessly at him.Did she have a soft spot for this blondie? He thought, resisting the urge to tilt his head as he studied Owen from head to toe.“Owen, what are you doing here?” Partially forgetting her brother’s presence, Leonica sauntered towards Owen, offering him a smile as she gently held his forearm.“I thought it would be nice to surprise you ahead of time,” Came Owen’s response, but Leonica could tell he wasn’t one hundred percent focused on her. When she followed his line of sight- once again recalling that she had been dealing with Melvin- she groaned.“Hyung, nice t
The next day, Benjamin was surprised to see Leonica at the family Vila, holding the paper he had made Melvin deliver to her a day before.“Leonica?”“I’ll step down.” She handed him the paper and when he collected it and took a glance at it, he was surprised to see that she had already signed it.Masking his surprise, Benjamin cleared his throat. “You made the right decision.” Shoving the paper into the drawer of his study desk, he added. “I’m glad to see you finally came around.”Leonica’s expression was unreadable, her face blank, void of any emotions. “Yes, I am glad as well.”“As for the position you’d now be occupying in the company-““That won’t be necessary.” Came Leonica’s interruption with a cool smile on her lips. “I won’t be occupying any position.”Benjamin was confused by her words. “Why is that? Have you finally decided to settle down? Focus more on building your family?”Leonica involuntarily laughed. “Quite the opposite.” Before her father had the chance to decrypt her
The name Tyche- goddess of wealth- Smith was a name well known in the business industry. As far as Rodrigo had heard, she was a self made billionaire who had single handedly risen her fortunate to the top, yet till this day, she remained anonymous, only contacting those that she dimmed fit to be business partners.Which was why when Rodrigo got a call from a person claiming to be her, he was beyond excited, not caring that the time was a little bit too late for a business call."A business proposal you say?" He repeated her words, discarding the game of chess he had been playing with himself- making strategies for his latest plan- and walking to stand by the vast window that took up one third of the wall space in his study."Yes," Came the answer from the other end. "You see, as of late, I've been wanting to expand into certain territory. Grow my fortune far more than I have built it up to be." There was a pause as his caller allowed her words sink in. "By that, I mean, I wish to buy