Chapter 7

"Leon! Where the hell did you go last night?" Lilith's angry roar echoed through the hall, drawing the attention of everyone in the lobby. I hadn't expected Lilith to show up at the company so early. Remaining composed, I replied, "I passed out last night." She sneered, dissatisfied with my answer. "You passed out? Ha! More like you made a run for it like a coward!" I took two steps back, feeling self-conscious under the scrutiny of the other employees. "I swear, I did not run. I passed out in the restroom." "And you didn't bother coming back to the lounge even after you woke up? Where did you go then?" Lilith demanded, her frosty stare freezing me in place as she stormed up to me. The others in the company had no idea what the altercation was about. They merely watched with wicked glee as the drama unfolded, whispering among themselves. Seeing this, I pointed out in a restrained voice, "Ms. Storm, perhaps we should take this private conversation elsewhere instead of arguing out here in the open." "Private conversation? Don't delude yourself that you and I have anything going on in private!" Lilith snarled, "My father hired you for a reason, and you couldn't even handle a few drinks. What use is there in keeping you on the payroll then?" My heart went still at this. "Your father did not pay me to drink with you," was all I ground out before I turned and walked away, leaving Lilith fuming behind me. "Don't you dare take another step, Leon!" she roared. "If you don't stop right now, you're fired!" I ignored her and hurried away from the scene. Lilith was getting more unreasonable by the day, and I had no interest in entertaining her tantrums. I had much more important things to do, such as laying the groundwork for when I exited the company. Leaving Storm Group meant being stripped of the power and responsibilities that came with my position as the chairperson's assistant. Fortunately, due to my performance, I had earned the approval and worthwhile connections of several key figures. I had to seize my chance and nurture those connections. That afternoon, I phoned Lisa Harding, who ran a business in the northern part of the city. She might not be Storm Corporation's biggest client, but I could start by rallying her support. As I worked, the door to my office burst open. Lilith stormed in, seething. "You have a lot of nerve, Leon! Mark my words, you scum—you're done here! Don't bother showing up from now on!" I looked up at her, the woman whose condescension and contempt I had endured for three years. Lilith had never once reflected on her actions, not even after her negligence caused Anna's near-fatal car crash three years ago. Yet, she dared to accuse me of being a sycophant mooching off her family. "Ms. Storm, I know you don't like me, but you'll only have to tolerate my presence until the end of this month," I said coolly, looking up from the work I had set aside. "This is the agreement between me and your father. As long as the contract is still in effect, you have no right to terminate me." "You must think you're so clever for using my father against me!" Lilith snapped, incensed. "I'd like to see if you can even last until the end of the month!" In a fit of maniacal rage, she rushed up to my desk and tore up all my documents. After that, she raised her chin at a haughty angle like a preening bird and sneered, "I want to see the itinerary for today before noon!" I said nothing as I picked up the torn documents and began piecing them back together. … In the afternoon, I hurried to meet Lisa at the agreed location. I was short of breath and five minutes late. Inside the café, a well-dressed, voluptuous woman glanced out the window. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Madam Harding. I got caught up with some work." Lisa turned and smiled. "Don't worry about it. I only just got here anyway." I sat down. "You've gotten more beautiful since last I saw you, Madam Harding." "Still charming as ever, I see," Lisa commented. She pressed her lips and said, "Go on, tell me what this meeting is about." I nodded. "Madam Harding, I'll be leaving Storm Corporation soon."