Chapter 14: Seraphina’s Handsome Ex-Boyfriend

Babi made it a habit to invite Seraphina Arden for lunch every day, slyly probing for information about Leon Everhart.

“Boss is a good boss,” Seraphina replied. “He pays for the overtime and hard work, but he’s not a good man. Don’t be like the other women swooning over him. He’s young, rich, and charming—do you really think a man like that wouldn’t have a girlfriend?”

When Babi pressed further, asking who Leon’s girlfriend was and if she worked at the company, Seraphina found herself at a loss for words. She truly believed Leon Everhart wasn’t someone worth getting attached to. He had Ava, Harper, and probably a host of other women she didn’t know about.

Sometimes, Seraphina would drop Leon off at nightclubs or luxury spas. He never let her come inside; she could only wait in the car. Neon Haven and Crystal Palace were among his regular spots. When he returned, he often reeked of expensive perfume. Only a fool would believe he wasn’t up to anything.

Later, she learned that both Neon Haven and Crystal Palace were owned by the Everhart family. Thinking about it, Seraphina found it easy to imagine Leon indulging in the endless selection of beautiful women in those establishments.

Leon’s personal life was chaotic, but his professional demeanor was ruthless and methodical. He rarely left room for compassion in his dealings.

Last year, Leon noticed discrepancies in the construction material reports. As someone with a background in architecture, he suspected something was amiss with the steel reinforcement usage. Without alerting anyone, Leon organized a surprise inspection, bringing Seraphina and a team of external auditors to the site late at night.

They caught the delivery trucks red-handed. The scam involved filling the trucks’ water tanks to weigh them down, faking the weight of the steel during inspections, and then draining the water afterward. Drivers, site managers, and even supervisors were in on the scheme, pocketing an extra $500 per load.

Leon not only recouped the losses but also ensured that those involved faced legal consequences. One project manager’s pregnant wife even came to beg him for mercy, offering full restitution in exchange for her husband’s freedom. But when Leon heard about it, he coldly replied, “Call the police. If I hear about this again, you’re all out of a job.”

Seraphina heard later that the woman, heavily pregnant, was escorted away by the police for causing a disturbance. Legally, Leon was right, but emotionally, his response was chilling.

She didn’t want anyone close to her, especially Babi, getting involved with someone like Leon Everhart.

But not everything was within Seraphina’s control. Despite her warnings, Babi seemed smitten.

Leon, meanwhile, had noticed Babi’s beauty but felt no particular interest. While surrounded by attractive women due to his family’s businesses, he didn’t act impulsively.

Babi frequently stopped by Seraphina’s office, prompting Seraphina to dodge her visits by claiming she was busy. Babi, perceptive as ever, eventually stopped coming as often.

One day during a team gathering, someone asked Babi if Seraphina had ever dated anyone in college. Tipsy from the drinks, Babi giggled, “Of course, she had a boyfriend! Don’t be fooled by how she looks now. Back then, she was stunning. Her boyfriend? Oh, my God—broad shoulders, a slim waist, long legs, fair skin, and those dreamy, peachy eyes. He was gorgeous.”

Another coworker chimed in, “What happened to him?”

Babi sighed, her cheeks flushed. “Good-looking men are never ours to keep. He left her for someone else.”

She downed another drink before continuing, “She lost 20 pounds in two months, trying to win him back. But no matter how good she looked, he never came back.”

Someone teased, “Was he more handsome than Mr. Everhart?”

Babi hesitated briefly before smirking. “Much more.”

The story spread quickly throughout the office—Seraphina had once dated someone even more handsome than Leon Everhart, only to be dumped.

At lunch, her coworkers couldn’t resist stealing glances at her. Seraphina felt the stares and nervously touched her face, wondering if something was amiss.

When she returned to her office, she pulled Sophia aside. “Is there something on my face?”

Sophia chuckled, spinning her around. “Nope, you’re good. You look fine.”

Mia and Ava entered shortly after, and Mia exclaimed, “Seraphina, is it true you once had a ridiculously handsome boyfriend? They say he was even better-looking than Mr. Everhart!”

Seraphina smacked them lightly. “Stop making up stories! I’m gorgeous now—who needs an ex?”

Mia laughed. “What about the guy who picked you up during Christmas? Wasn’t he your boy toy?”

Feigning dramatic heartbreak, Seraphina sighed, “He saw someone younger and prettier. What can I say?”

The room erupted in laughter—until Leon’s office door opened.

The air turned heavy as everyone returned to their desks. Leon called out, “Seraphina Arden, come in.”

Inside, Leon leaned back in his chair. “When did your love life become the company’s favorite gossip?”

Smiling, Seraphina joked, “Mr. Everhart, your brilliance casts such a wide light that even weeds like me get a little shine.”

Leon chuckled, rare for him. “Mind your image. Don’t let people think you’re messy. It’s not good for your future. Also, I hear you’re prettier when you’re slimmer. Summer’s coming—watch your diet.”

Seraphina froze, her mind racing. Without thinking, she blurted out, “You pay my salary, not my food bills. I eat what I want, and I like being this size. At least now, no one underestimates me.”

Both of them were stunned by her outburst. Blushing furiously, Seraphina fled the office.

As she returned to her desk, she fumed internally. “The nerve of him, telling me to eat less! What am I to him, some doll he gets to control? I’ll eat what I damn well please!”

The rest of the day, Seraphina’s mood was as stormy as her thoughts.