Chapter 3 : Incredible Girl

"The meeting is over," Leonidas said coldly, his voice flat but undeniable.

As soon as those words were spoken, gasps could be heard from all corners of the room. The company executives, dressed in expensive suits and neat ties, immediately bowed their heads politely—or perhaps... fearfully.

No one dared speak first. Every time he intervened directly in an internal evaluation, everyone knew that one small mistake could end a career, and if a fatal mistake were made, their lives could be at stake.

Before them sat Leonidas Georg Habsburg—the youngest and most feared CEO in the history of the Habsburg family.

"You will be leaving for Japan this afternoon, sir," reported Ariel, his loyal secretary, handing him the itinerary. "The main agenda is an inspection of the latest generation car factory. Your hotel and all your needs have been arranged."

"Hm," Leonidas muttered briefly without taking his eyes off his tablet screen.

Ariel swallowed, then said carefully. "Currently, Mrs. Anne is in-"

"Next," Leonidas interrupted.

The air in the room suddenly changed. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees. Ariel quickly changed the subject, not daring to look his boss in the eye.

Leonidas said nothing more. His fingers simply moved across the screen, flipping through document after document, financial data, and strategy reports, with a serious, flat expression.

"You will be returning to the Habsburg residence after a business trip from Japan," Ariel said cautiously. "And... Madame Carmila asked that you bring... Madame with you."

The last word was almost a whisper.

Ariel lowered his head slightly, then continued, "Sir, would you like me to contact Madam immediately to arrange a leave from the shooting schedule?" Ariel asked a little stuttering.

Leonidas' gaze sharpened.

Ariel almost regretted bringing up the topic.

Without answering directly, Leonidas turned his office chair slowly, facing the large window that displayed the majestic and cold cityscape that reflected his own reflection.

"Call her," he said simply. There was no emotion. There was no pause.

"Yes, sir." Ariel immediately dialed Anne's cell phone number, then pressed the speaker button so the voice from the other end could be heard clearly.

"Hello?" the woman's voice greeted. It was soft, yet sounded lazy.

"Madam, you are required to come to the Habsburg residence next week. Please submit a leave request to your manager immediately-"

"Who is this?" the voice interrupted, flat but cold.

"I... I am Mr. Leonidas' secretary."

Ariel replied, confused, did Madam not save his number?

A moment of silence.

Then, a sound was heard that made Ariel's hands break out in a cold sweat.

"Tell him I'm busy. Filming has just started, and I don't have any vacation time," Anne said dismissively, as if she were declining a casual lunch offer, not a call from the Habsburg household.

Ariel stared at his phone in panic, then turned to his boss.

Leonidas remained silent. The look in his eyes remained unwavering, but the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

Leonidas picked up his phone, his cold eyes turning calm and dangerous. There was no trace of emotion on his face.

"What do you want?" he asked, straight to the point. His voice was flat, but it carried an undeniable tension.

For a moment there was just silence.

Then Anne's voice came through. "If you ask me what I want, I'll answer it now. Don't interrupt my filming schedule. You usually come back alone, don't you? I'm really busy."

Leonidas's hand gripped the phone tighter. His jaw clenched.

"Okay," he answered briefly, like a knife being swung slowly.

He was about to say something, maybe a threat, maybe an order... but the dial tone had turned silent. The call has ended.

Ariel took a deep breath. He knew full well that Mrs. Anne had loved Mr. Leonidas for the past four years. He had heard that she had secretly learned to cook, trying to make Mr. Leonidas's favorite dishes and sending them to the office. But those dishes... just ended up in the trash.

Ariel couldn't bear it. So from then on, he always pretended to accept it, lying that the food had arrived and that his master liked it.

Two years have passed, and their relationship has grown increasingly strained and distant. Now Mrs. Anne is busy pursuing her own career, no longer expecting much.

From his point of view, Mrs. Anne was a beautiful, gentle, caring... and incredibly kind woman.

But why... why would a woman like that fall in love with a man as harsh and cold as Mr. Leonidas?

In fact... there are many men out there who would be happy to give her happiness.

Including himself....

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I will build my walls better this time, you either keep me or lose me for good - Anne Beilynn

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