Chapter 54
As Leo practically became Henry’s shadow, his squeaky clean image quickly captured the media’s attention. Every small act of kindness he performed was portrayed as another significant achievement in his career. Charitable donations, community service, and public appearances were all carefully orchestrated to enhance his image. The media and the public ate it up.
Not only did Leo’s genuine reforms begin to soften the business community’s stance towards him, but he also gained a loyal fanbase. A group of diehard supporters, including an army of blind fangirls, rallied behind him, creating an online presence dedicated to singing his praises. They posted about him relentlessly, celebrating his every move, night
and day.
I couldn’t help but feel aghast as I watched him publicly participate in one staged event after another. He attended charity galas, donated to orphanages, and took part in cancer awareness walks. The more Leo appeared in the media, the more the public seemed to fall under his spell, mesmerized by his seemingly altruistic actions. The truth was, they only saw the surface. What they didn’t see, what I could see clearly, was that underneath his calculated kindness, there was something far darker at play.
Leo’s fans were ecstatic to see him back on the ice rink, and there was no doubt that his return to his rightful place in the business world was a step forward. The situation had shifted, and everyone was on his side–everyone except me. I alone saw beyond his polished image, beyond the charity work and the media–friendly gestures. I knew that the more Leo tried to appear kind and generous, the more trouble would be waiting for us
down the road.
One evening, Leo paid a visit to my office. He arrived just as the last rays of sunlight were fading, and his presence immediately brought an unsettling sense of warmth to the otherwise sterile space.
“Miss Laura, the weather is lovely today,” he said smoothly, his smile disarming. “I thought we could enjoy these croissants together.”
He handed me a box of freshly baked croissants, the delicate scent filling the air. As if on cue, he offered to make me coffee, all the while wearing that ever–present, polite mask.
Land Cono: My Hockey Husband’s Regret
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Chapter 54
“You must be tired after work,” Leo continued, his voice syrupy sweet. “Please allow me to do this for you.”
His movements were deliberately slow, almost choreographed. He wandered to the pantry, his every action designed to win the admiration of the office. It wasn’t lost on me that a few employees, drawn by the spectacle, were watching intently, whispering under their breaths. They were in awe, and I could see why.
“Mr. Leo is such a gentleman,” one of them whispered. “It was Melody who hurt Miss Laura,
ot him.”
I almost rolled my eyes. It was too obvious, his theatrics were working like a charm on them. But I wasn’t fooled. Leo might have been offering me coffee and croissants, but the murderous glint in his icy eyes told me all I needed to know. This wasn’t about kindness. This was about control. He had never been the type to admit defeat, and I was sure this was just part of a larger, more calculated scheme.
When Leo placed the coffee in front of me, I didn’t let him continue with his charade.
“You’ve been quite busy these days, Leo,” I said, smiling gently, addressing him by his first name for the first time in a long while. “It seems like you’ve finally grown out of your bad
influences.”
Leo’s eyes sparkled with the kind of pride only someone like him could feel. “Oh, you flatter me, Miss Laura,” he replied, his tone as humble as a man with a thousand secrets. “I’m just trying to do good.”
I knew better than to believe a word of it. As we sat in my office pantry, I noticed the subtle click of mobile cameras. Some of my staff were recording us, no doubt prepared to leak the footage to the press the moment they could. But I didn’t mind. There was no harm in free publicity, especially when it was working in my favor.
I leaned in, playing the part of the grateful, moved businesswoman. “Although your career is facing a tough time, LB Cooperation is honored to sign you as a substitute player in the silver category.”
I slid a document across the table, the terms and conditions clearly outlining the minimum contract. It was a far cry from the kind of lucrative deals he had been used to in the past. I was watching closely for any shift in his expression, anticipating the moment when his pride would crack, and his façade would crumble.
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Betrayed and Gone: My Hockey Husband’s Regret
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Chapter 54
But instead, Leo calmly picked up the pen and signed the papers without even glancing at
them.
“I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity, Miss Laura,” he said, his voice sincere yet strangely devoid of emotion. “Please trust me. I won’t let you down.”
“Oh, you won’t,” I said with a scoff, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Startled, I looked up to find my secretary, Bright, standing at the door. His gaze was fixed on
eo with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
“You have a history of disappointing Laura, Mr. Leo,” he said, his voice low and almost dangerous.
The words hung in the air like a challenge, and for the first time, I saw the faintest flicker of doubt in Leo’s eyes. But whether it was regret or anger, I couldn’t tell.
