Let's talk (part2)

Alex smiled smoothly and pulled out his business card, placing it gently on the dining table beside the paper bag and cup holder before responding.

"Mr. Leonid, I understand that you're confused by what happened, but I will explain."

Leonid raised an eyebrow but did not interrupt. Alex continued in a calm tone.

"We are a reputable company with strong foundations in the market, and naturally, we have competitors who seek to tarnish our image. What happened to your puppy was tragic, without a doubt. But revealing the truth as it is will only complicate matters further. Therefore, we have unanimously decided to handle the situation smoothly… and turn the incident from a gruesome crime into nothing more than a natural death caused by genetic mutations."

herefore, we have unanimously decided to handle the situation smoothly… and turn the incident from a gruesome crime into nothing more than a natural death caused by genetic mutations."

Leonid's expression shifted, a sharp gleam appearing in his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Unanimously? I don't recall being part of any vote."

He took a step forward, his voice sharp but controlled.

"This ridiculous policy doesn't concern me. Have you for a moment considered the feelings of the people who saw my pet's body? My feelings? Or more importantly… have you thought about the killer who did this?"

Alex didn't seem affected. Instead, he raised his hands in a calming gesture and spoke in a diplomatic tone.

"Please, Mr. Leonid, there's no need to get worked up."

He straightened slightly before adding,

"As for the witnesses, we have taken their feelings into consideration. As for the killer… the building's security found a homeless man in the alleys a few hours ago. He had been brutally killing animals. After interrogating him, he confessed to a long record of crimes, including the murder of the husky pup he found in an apartment he tried to rob… but he didn't succeed, because the heroic pup saved the situation at the cost of its own life."

Leonid froze in place, his eyes narrowing slowly.

"Are you serious? How could a homeless man enter a heavily guarded residential building?"

After a moment of thought, Leonid recalled a glimpse of a man he had seen in the alley that night. Could this really be true?

Alex gave a small, disturbingly reassuring smile and said calmly,

"Exactly. I know the security was tight, and that we followed strict regulations in the past few days. But the lockdown has ended, and that vagrant took advantage of the situation."

Then, as if making a casual remark, he added,

"In any case, the company will provide financial compensation to all affected parties. The matter has been settled with everyone… except for you and Miss Charlotte."

He paused briefly before leaning forward slightly, watching Leonid's expression.

"By the way, is she staying with you? That's expected, she must be scared after everything that happened. Oh, the poor little innocent lady… truly unfortunate~."

Leonid took a deep breath before replying.

"Yes, she's scared… and feeling guilty as well. But I don't think she'll be able to talk to you right now. In fact, I don't believe she'll accept any compensation for what happened. As you know, money can't mend broken hearts."

"You're right, Mr. Leonid. But we're doing our best for our dear tenants, just as much effort as we put into profitable deals~."

"I can see that."

Leonid replied with a slight frown, pretending to remain calm while suppressing an overwhelming urge to shatter the false mask Alex placed over his words. He watched the man closely, yet deep inside, he knew exactly what truth was being hidden.

Remaining silent for a moment, Leonid stared at him before gesturing toward the door.

"Leave now. Our conversation is over. And regarding the homeless man I want to meet him, as the owner of the pet he killed."

Leonid's words and tone carried no politeness. In response, Alex gave a quick nod, a soft smile on his lips, yet devoid of any real sympathy.

"You want compensation from the criminal himself? Very well, I can arrange that, but it may take some time. As you know, the police have their own procedures and protocols."

Alex clasped his hands together, maintaining a composed expression as much as possible, then added before heading toward the door,

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Leonid. I wish you a good day."

"No need to thank me."

Alex left the apartment with measured steps, maintaining an air of artificial calm, but inside, his legs burned with the urge to flee. As soon as the door closed behind him, he exhaled deeply, as if air had finally returned to his lungs after a long suffocation.

He cast a brief glance at the white flowers placed by the door, then silently murmured a prayer for Hunter's soul before rushing toward the elevator.

As he stood waiting, his hands trembled despite his efforts to steady them. He couldn't believe how terrifying it was to speak with Leonid just as his young master had described.

A bastard who looks down on everyone.

For a moment, it felt as if he were facing someone who saw others as nothing more than insects just like the head of the family.

In the end, fortunately, Alex hadn't lost his composure; otherwise, his fate would have been uncertain.

The elevator chimed, and its doors finally slid open. Alex raised his trembling hand to adjust his glasses, then stepped inside with heavy footsteps, as if his legs carried an unbearable weight.

In the living room, Leonid set the breakfast on the table, then turned on his phone to stream the news channel.

He waited for Charlotte to come out of the bathroom, but the sound of running water didn't stop. Minutes passed, and a sense of unease crept into his chest. He stood up from his seat and walked toward the closed door, knocking on it with the back of his fingers.

Once.

Twice.

Three times…

Charlotte didn't answer.

A tightness gripped his chest, and he quickly parted his lips to call out.

"Charlotte! Are you okay?!"

A heavy silence filled the space. No response.

He reached for the doorknob, about to open it, but suddenly… the water stopped.

"Charlotte?"

He called again, and this time, he caught a faint sound from inside. Moments passed before the door finally opened, and Charlotte stepped out.

Her pale white skin looked even more ashen, her full lips faded and tinged with blue at the edges. She had wrapped a towel around her damp body haphazardly, while strands of her chestnut hair dripped water onto the floor.

Her dark eyes met his, glistening faintly beneath her thick lashes, but her gaze was empty… as if she was looking at him without actually seeing him.

"What did you do?"

Leonid asked in a low voice, but he didn't wait for an answer.

He reached out and touched her cheek, his eyes narrowing immediately.

She was ice-cold.

Clenching his teeth in frustration, he pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around her trembling frame.

"Charlotte Smith!"

He called her name sharply, unable to hide his irritation, then grabbed her shoulders, lifting her chin gently with his other hand.

"Were you trying to kill yourself with cold water? What were you thinking?!"

His voice was firm, charged with both worry and accusation, but Charlotte didn't respond. She remained still, motionless, as if life had completely drained from her.

"Damn it!"

Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her and swiftly carried her toward his room.

Inside the room, he placed her on the bed and wrapped another towel around her before gently drying her hair. Her damp strands clung to her cold skin, and he studied her face for a moment, wondering how long she had spent under the freezing water.

"You fool…"

He muttered in frustration, then retrieved warm clothes for her and dressed her carefully: a shirt that reached her thighs, a loose wool sweater, and his socks, which covered her short legs up to mid-calf.

During the process of drying and dressing her, Leonid caught a glimpse of her skin under the dim light. It was pale and cold, but Charlotte showed no reaction. She didn't move. She didn't even shiver. It was as if the cold water that enveloped her had completely numbed her senses.

He turned on the hairdryer and carefully passed the warm air over her chestnut strands, making sure not to burn her pale skin.

It was worse than her crying.

He turned off the dryer once he was done, then ran his fingers through her now-warm hair, feeling its softness before sighing.

"Come on, you can get up now."

He set the dryer aside, then extended his hand to help her stand. But as soon as she straightened, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her gently toward him.

Her head tilted up toward him, and the space between their breaths filled with tension, but Charlotte didn't react.

For a moment, it seemed as though she wasn't even in this world anymore.

Leonid finally let go of her, then took her hand and walked her toward the dining table.