Victoria_Xoxo

He chuckled. “What’s with the face?”

I blinked. “What?”

“You’re blushing.” His voice held a teasing lit, and I could practically hear the smirk behind it.

“Oh.” I raised a hand to my cheek, rubbing absently, only to feel the warmth spreading across my skin. My lips twisted into a small, guilty smile.

Leo’s eyes gleamed with amusement. There was something about the way he looked at me—steady, knowing—that made me uneasy. Not because I felt uncomfortable, but because I had spent so long misunderstanding him.

Why hadn’t I seen his loyalty from the start? Why had I assumed he wanted me for business, for something transactional? A pang of guilt settled in my chest.

“This place is…” I started, glancing around, searching for words.

He leaned back slightly, one arm draped over the chair. “Deserving of a heiress,” he finished smoothly. “I had a work break.”

A warm rush of gratitude filled me, but it was quickly dampened by a lingering thought. Cassie had mentioned something earlier—something about Ophelia storming into Leo’s office. My fingers curled slightly against the tablecloth.

Kill Lila!

<p>It had been a week since the issue of Lila taking over the company was raised. Since that heated discussion, there was silence—no follow-up, no reminder, not even a whisper. The tension hung in the air, thick and unspoken. I still didn't know what Fiona had told Sebastian the following morning that made him shut down so abruptly.</p>

<p>When I confronted her, she insisted she had said nothing—just that she wasn't ready to talk. But I didn't believe her. Fiona was a master at hiding things behind her carefully composed smiles. I didn't trust her. Truth be told, I didn't trust anyone. Least of all Mason. I never had. Not after what he did—taking a swipe at his own girlfriend. If he could do that to someone he supposedly cared for, what would he do to me?</p>

49. The Battle. Ophelia's Pov