Chapter 18

Leon arrived in just over twenty minutes. He was dressed in a pure white shirt and was as strikingly handsome as ever. There was no denying that anyone would want to hook up with a man as wealthy, powerful, and good-looking as he was. "I'm sorry, Leon." Clenching her fists at her sides, Eva got up, and her eyes brimmed with anguish. Leon walked up to her and gently pinched her cheeks in an affectionate gesture. "Why are you apologizing for no reason?" "I shouldn't have tried to pay Victoria to leave. She's your wife and Edwin's mom. I'm sorry." She feared him so much that she couldn't meet his eyes as she confessed. "I'm the one who should be apologizing," Leon softly uttered as he pulled her into his arms. Eva and Victoria were utterly confused. "It's my fault you're feeling a lack of security, which explains this behavior. Don't lower yourself to doing such stuff again. Just talk to me if you need anything," Leon said reassuringly and released her. Eva was stunned. She had not expected this at all. "Are you sure you're not mad at me?" Leon's lips parted slightly as he said, "Nope." "Thank you, Leon. I won't do it again." Eva relaxed. She knew he wouldn't hold this incident against her, and he'd spoken these words for Victoria to hear. Yet the last sentence was a subtle warning directed at Eva. "Thomas." Leon hadn't spared Victoria a single glance the whole time. Thomas immediately stepped forward. "Yes, Mr. Quigley." "Revoke all of Victoria's permissions in this house. That includes but is not limited to passwords and surveillance access." "Understood." Thomas swiftly carried out the order. Within moments, Victoria was completely locked out of the house's systems. The passwords were changed, and the security footage was cut off. From now on, she'd need Leon's permission if she wanted to enter. "I apologize for the trouble Eva has caused you," Leon said as he pulled out 200 dollars from his pocket and held it out to her. "Consider this compensation for your mental distress. This amount should suffice since she didn't actually harm you." Victoria was momentarily speechless. She'd expected Leon to make things difficult for her, but she hadn't anticipated such a humiliating approach. She looked at the two as if they were idiots and calmly replied, "No need. You two need the money more than I do. Take it and get a brain scan to check if there's anything seriously wrong with you." Without waiting to see their reactions, she turned and headed upstairs to retrieve her bag. Eva's expression darkened at the insult. She wanted to complain to Leon, but when she turned to him, she noticed that his gaze was fixed on Victoria's retreating figure. There was an emotion in his eyes she'd never seen before. It seemed like admiration, or perhaps relief, like a parent watching their once-obedient child finally grow up and learn to stand on their own. "Leon," Eva softly called his name. Leon snapped out of his thoughts and glanced down at her. The emotions in his eyes had vanished. "What's up?" "Nothing." Eva knew when to hold her tongue. Moments later, Victoria came downstairs with her bag. She stopped beside Leon on purpose and sneered. "Do you need to search me before I leave? Wouldn't want you accusing me of stealing something as I step out the door." "No need. I trust you, Ms. Smith," Leon said, surprisingly not giving her a hard time. Victoria didn't spare him another glance and walked straight out of the manor. Just as she left, Leon received a text on his phone. "Mr. Quigley, Ms. Smith's mother is in danger." At the same time, Victoria received a call from the hospital. "Ms. Smith, your mother's condition has suddenly deteriorated, and she requires immediate surgery. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible to sign the consent forms."