Chapter 8: The Shrewd Businessman

Leon Everhart held Amelia’s head firmly and kissed her passionately. His hand slid under her blouse, but just as he was about to lose control, he forced himself to stop. Pushing Amelia away, he said in a hoarse voice, “Amelia, we’re colleagues. We’re friends. I like you, but I can’t give you a future. I can’t do this to you.”

With a tender gesture, he straightened her clothes, gently touched her face, and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

When Amelia stepped out of the office, her eyes were red, her hair disheveled, and her lipstick smudged. Outside, Sophia, Mia, and Seraphina Arden were gathered at the reception desk, reviewing the program list for the company’s upcoming annual party.

Although Seraphina Arden wasn’t one to gossip, she couldn’t resist observing drama. The moment she saw Amelia’s appearance, she exchanged knowing glances with Sophia and Mia. The amusement in their eyes said it all.

Around the office, employees kept their heads down, pretending not to notice.

Outsiders often romanticized Leon Everhart as a refined and charming gentleman, the quintessential CEO with a golden touch. But those who worked closely with him saw a very different side.

To his inner circle, Leon was demanding, merciless, and intimidating. Seraphina, being one of the closest to him, often bore the brunt of his expectations. Her workdays started earlier than his—she had to bring him breakfast—and didn’t end until she drove him home.

Despite their hefty salaries, none of his staff dared to badmouth him publicly. After all, only a fool would jeopardize their paycheck by speaking ill of the boss.

When Leon exited his office later that evening, his face was stormy. Smudges of Amelia’s lipstick remained on his face, shirt, and lips despite his attempts to clean up. Having changed into a fresh outfit, he glanced at his employees, all pretending to be engrossed in their tasks. His gaze landed on Seraphina, who, like the others, avoided his eyes.

Leon felt a pang of frustration. Though he wouldn’t stoop to explaining himself, the unspoken judgment stung.

Meanwhile, Seraphina attended her friend’s wedding. It was a dazzling event. The bride was radiant, the groom dashing, and the food exquisite. During the bouquet toss, Seraphina’s friend Emily caught the flowers and gleefully ran to her boyfriend, earning cheers and applause.

Seraphina couldn’t help but smile, knowing another wedding was on the horizon.

What truly delighted her, however, were the compliments she received. Wearing an XXL pink gown, Seraphina exuded a sense of wealthy elegance. Her friends praised her “abundant beauty,” and she felt genuinely confident as she admired her photos from the event.

Leon Everhart’s path to becoming the head of the Everhart empire had been anything but easy. Years ago, his father had tasked him with managing a failing project in Los Angeles—a 27-story building that had become a financial black hole. The unfinished tower had drained $300,000 annually, with no end in sight.

Teaming up with two rookies, Amelia and Charlotte, Leon quickly uncovered the root of the issue: corruption. Suppliers and project staff had colluded to inflate material costs, insisting purchases be made exclusively from specific vendors.

Leon, Amelia, and Charlotte revamped the budget, sourced materials directly from manufacturers, and selected new vendors. Just as they were about to restart construction, local thugs armed with machetes stormed the site.

Amelia, despite her delicate appearance, stepped forward fearlessly. Facing the aggressors, she taunted them coldly, “Go ahead—cut me down if you dare. Killing me won’t make your business legitimate. The law will catch up with you. I’m not afraid to die, but I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Leon followed her lead, his tone firm yet calm. “We have purchase orders and price quotes. If your goods meet our standards at competitive prices, we’ll consider them. But if you insist on violence, I won’t back down.”

They called the police and brokered a compromise by purchasing a limited amount of materials from the troublemakers. Balancing various interests, they finally restarted construction.

For over a year, Leon, Amelia, and Charlotte endured relentless pressure—surveillance, threats, and intimidation. Yet their efforts paid off.

What had been a $300,000 annual loss turned into a $3.5 million net profit. The project’s success solidified Leon’s reputation as a competent and ruthless leader.

The ordeal forged an unbreakable bond between Leon, Amelia, and Charlotte. Amelia became the manager of the Los Angeles branch, while Charlotte took charge of project management. That year, Leon rewarded each of them with an $80,000 bonus. Every team member also received generous compensation.

Amelia’s beauty and intelligence had left a lasting impression on Leon. However, he soon realized that beneath her gentle exterior lay a fiercely independent spirit. The Los Angeles branch thrived under her leadership, second only to the company’s headquarters.

Leon knew that pursuing a romantic relationship with Amelia would jeopardize their professional dynamic and the Everhart family empire.

As a shrewd businessman, Leon valued discipline above all. Though Amelia’s allure tempted him, he refused to let his emotions interfere with his ambitions. For Leon, love was just another equation—a delicate balance of risk and reward.