Chapter 37 ~ I Don’t Want My Baby Alone with Another Man

Jeslyn instinctively stepped away from the desk, as if needing to create a safe distance between herself and Jefran. Her heart was racing—not out of guilt, but because of Leonel’s sharp, icy gaze that seemed to pierce through every hidden layer of their secret.

“Leonel,” she murmured.

Leonel closed the door slowly, then entered with steady, deliberate steps. His gaze moved from Jeslyn to Jefran, and back to Jeslyn.

“Do you know what time it is? You should’ve gone home by now, Jeslyn. And you, Jefran—you’re not even supposed to be here. You’re suspended.”

Jefran’s jaw clenched, but he remained seated. “I know. But I have to fix the mistake I made.”

Leonel raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “By conspiring behind my back with Jeslyn?”

Jeslyn exhaled sharply and stepped forward, her voice firm.

“We’re not conspiring, Leonel. We’re trying to prevent a disaster. The contract with Valchev—there’s manipulation involved. They trapped Jefran. We’ve found the first pieces of evidence and tomorrow we’re going to investigate further.”

Leonel’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t refute her immediately.

“If you already knew they were dangerous,” Jeslyn pressed, “why didn’t you bring it to the board? Why just suspend Jefran and let everything carry on?”

Leonel stepped closer, his face dark.

“Because I don’t trust anyone on the board. And… I’ve been trying to figure out who I can trust.”

He turned to Jefran, gaze sharp as a blade.

“Unfortunately, my own brother turned out to be the easiest hole in the wall they could exploit.”

The blow in those words visibly hit Jefran, but before he could respond, Leonel turned back to Jeslyn.

“You really think Jefran can handle this?” he asked, voice quieter now but no less pressing.

Jeslyn met his gaze squarely. “Yes. But we need access to the internal backup server. And we need your protection from the inside.”

“I was asking the CEO of Clovies, Ms. Manager,” Leonel snapped, making Jeslyn pause.

“Yes. I can do this and fix the mess I created,” Jefran replied firmly.

“Okay. I’ll give you this one chance. If you succeed, I’ll consider reducing your suspension. But—do it alone. Don’t involve Jeslyn,” Leonel ordered, his tone final. Jeslyn and Jefran both looked stunned.

“What?” Jeslyn blurted.

Leonel turned to her coolly. “What’s the problem, Ms. Manager? This is Jefran’s punishment. It has nothing to do with you.”

“I was just helping him,” Jeslyn replied, trying to hold her ground.

“This isn’t a group assignment. Focus on your own work—and the project we’re currently handling. By the way, tomorrow we’re visiting the factory to check on production.”

Jeslyn clenched her jaw, frustration crawling into her voice.

“Director, this isn’t about some assignment. This is about the safety of the company. I’m already too deep to just walk away.”

“No, you’re too deep into something that isn’t your job,” Leonel countered coldly. “And as your direct superior, I’m ordering you to stay focused on the main project. Stay out of this investigation.”

Jefran stood up. “Leonel, don’t push Jeslyn out of this. Without her, I wouldn’t have even known I was being set up. You need someone smart and trustworthy. And she—”

“—is an employee under my supervision,” Leonel cut in sharply. “And you, Jefran, will fix this on your own. That’s part of the responsibility you asked for. If you need a partner, I’ll assign Edric to help you.”

Jeslyn’s fists clenched at her sides, fury and frustration building to a boil.

“Alright, it’s late. You two should go home. No more private meetings. There are cameras everywhere, and I don’t want office gossip spreading,” Leonel said as he walked out with a pointed glare.

“Wait, Jef.” Jeslyn placed the file on the desk and rushed out of the room, chasing after Leonel.

“Leonel, wait!” she called out, walking fast—almost running—to keep up with his long strides.

“What is it?” he asked, turning to face her.

“You’re being unfair,” Jeslyn said quietly but firmly. “If this is about professionalism, you know I can handle both responsibilities. But if this is personal…” her eyes narrowed, “...then you’re no different than the others—making decisions based on ego, not logic.”

Leonel’s expression hardened. But instead of exploding, he stared at Jeslyn with dark eyes full of conflict rather than rage.

“Jessy, don’t worry. Just because of that contract, Valchev won’t be able to exploit Clovies. So stay focused on your job.”

“You knew the contract had been altered?” Jeslyn asked, startled.

“I did.”

“And you’re still calm about it? Leonel, Valchev is a mafia syndicate—”

Leonel suddenly closed the distance between them and leaned in, whispering close to her ear.

“Trust me. I’m more dangerous than they are.”

Jeslyn’s skin bristled. She took a step back, trying to put space between them as Leonel straightened again.

“And I don’t like seeing you alone with Jefran,” he added.

“I was only helping him,” Jeslyn answered.

“Still. I don’t like it. Especially the two of you in a closed room for hours. Makes me want to tear down that damn wall!” he snapped with a force that made Jeslyn’s heart pound. Leonel wasn’t just intense—he was dangerous. Even though Jefran was her fiancé, Leonel acted like he was her husband.

“Jefran and I were doing nothing but investigating,” Jeslyn said, her voice shaking.

Leonel stepped closer again, eyes darker, as if trying to pierce her soul.

“But you still chose to stand by his side… not mine,” he whispered, soft but razor-sharp.

Jeslyn froze. The words, the way he said them, the way he looked at her—everything made her heartbeat stutter. There was something in Leonel’s voice that felt like a spell, paralyzing her.

“Leonel… this isn’t about taking sides. It’s about saving the company,” she whispered, struggling to stay calm.

“If you knew what I was doing behind the scenes, you’d understand why I have to act this way,” Leonel muttered, his voice heavy and almost weary. Then he inhaled deeply and his face went cold again.

“Tomorrow, focus on the factory. I don’t want to hear about you meddling in Jefran’s mess again. If you do, I’ll release our photos to the company’s internal forum. The scandal will explode, and I’ll deal with the fallout after you break off the engagement with him,” Leonel said, a cruel smirk curling on his lips.

“You keep threatening me!” Jeslyn burst out, her fists trembling.

“Yes. Because I hate disobedience. If you want to stay safe, follow every one of my orders. But if you step out of line…” he leaned in, voice low and menacing,

“I won’t hesitate. I won’t be ashamed of the scandal. In fact, I’ll enjoy it—because it’ll finally end things between you and Jefran.”

“You’re insane!” Jeslyn spat.

Leonel only chuckled quietly, his eyes gleaming cold.

“If that’s what it takes to keep you away from him… then I don’t care what I’m called. Even insane.”

Jeslyn stood still. Her body trembled—not from fear, but from rage. This wasn’t about work. It wasn’t about an investigation. It wasn’t even about Valchev.

This was a game of control. And Leonel was treating her like a pawn on the chessboard of his ambition and obsession.

“Don’t make me hate you, Leonel,” Jeslyn said quietly but firmly, her eyes blazing.

“I don’t need you to love me, Jessy,” Leonel replied, taking a step closer.

“I just want you to be mine. Scream, rage, hate me—I can take it. But don’t ever make me angry by clinging to another man.”

“He’s my fiancé!” Jeslyn yelled.

Leonel looked her dead in the eyes.

“And your body already belongs to me, Jessy,” he whispered—so soft, but enough to drain the color from her face.

“Enough,” Jeslyn said sharply, voice trembling with a mix of fear and fury.

Leonel finally backed away, giving her space.

“Tomorrow. Seven a.m. We leave for the factory. And if you don’t show up…” he leaned in one last time, smiling like a wolf,

“I’ll take that as your consent to let me decide everything.”

Then he turned and walked away, leaving a suffocating trail of threat behind him.

***