Chapter 145
An almost suffocating pressure, as heavy as a thousand pounds, bore down on Victor Thompson beneath Leo’s gaze.
In front of Leo, Victor felt like a cowering dog, tail tucked firmly between his legs, not daring to bare his teeth–barely able to breathe, let alone protest.
“But…” Why did it feel like Leo was more of a father to Selene than he ever could be? Victor wanted to say more, but Leo cut him off.
“You only need to answer me–do you understand?”
Leo’s voice was calm, almost gentle, but Victor felt as though he were being slowly crushed. Instinct for self–preservation took over; he forced himself to speak, following Leo’s instructions exactly, each word deliberate:
“Yes… yes, I understand.”
Leo finally broke his stare and nodded. His assistant wheeled him to the head of
the table.
Leo’s eyes fell on a gift box tossed carelessly onto the dining table. A brown paper bag stamped with the Vaughn Enterprises logo had slipped out.
“What’s this?”
Harrison answered, “It’s an offer from Vaughn Enterprises. I prepared it for Selene.”
Leo nodded at his assistant, who promptly picked up the paper bag.
The assistant opened it, took out the contract inside, and handed it to Leo.
Leo examined the contract. His eyes flicked up, sharp and cold as steel, pinning Harrison in place and sending a chill crawling down his spine.
No one in the room dared to breathe.
It was the first time Daph and Dames had seen Leo in person. From the moment he entered, the air had seemed to grow heavier, his invisible presence pressing on everyone like a thunderstorm about to break.
“A contract for a personal assistant?” Leo’s tone was mild, but the tension in the room was knife–edged. Harrison felt as if a blade had sliced across his cheek.
“Harrison.” Leo spoke softly, and Harrison immediately stood and walked over.
From his wheelchair, Leo handed back the contract. Harrison accepted it, hands
1/2
13:25 B
Chapter 145
trembling slightly.
“Selene invites me to dinner, and you insult her with this? Harrison, are you a child?” A shadow flickered in Harrison’s eyes. In front of Leo, he couldn’t muster a single word of defense.
His uncle was the anchor of Vaughn Enterprises–its unshakeable foundation. Leo wasn’t even the official head of the family, but even Harrison’s father treated this much younger brother with absolute deference.
In Leo’s presence, Harrison barely dared to exhale.
“I just thought, given Selene’s skills, that a personal assistant to the CEO would be more fitting for her…”
“And who appointed you the judge of her abilities?” Leo’s question was gentle, but the force behind it made Harrison feel like he was being burned alive.
“Stop playing these childish games, do you understand?”
Chastised, the proud CEO of Vaughn Enterprises pressed his lips into a thin, pale
line.
Watching his own father be humbled by Leo, Dames shrank back in panic, hiding behind Felicity. A cold sweat broke out on Felicity’s forehead as well.
“I…” Harrison tried to speak.
“You only need to answer me–do you understand?” Leo’s voice was patient, almost as if instructing a slow child, pronouncing each word carefully.
Harrison bit his lip. Under the suffocating silence, he bowed his head and replied, “I understand.”
Leo’s gaze swept the room before returning to Harrison.
“These people–did you invite them?”
There was no need for further questions; Leo’s all–seeing eyes had already pierced through Harrison’s plan.
“Do you really think Selene could enjoy her meal with them watching?” Leo’s gentle tone felt like a hammer, striking Harrison again and again.
“We’re here for dinner, and you bring in a bunch of outsiders? Is this how a leader of Vaughn Enterprises conducts himself?” Leo’s judgment was final. “Clearly, your father didn’t teach you well enough.”
