Chapter 63 – Boundaries and Ballrooms

The tension in the air was palpable—until a deep, cold voice cut through from behind Jeslyn.

“Did you just say Jeslyn is a doll?”

It was Leonel.

Dimitri turned around, slightly startled, though the thin smirk never left his lips. “Ah, Leonel. I thought you were still busy with Mr. Collins and Nakamura.”

Leonel’s gaze was sharp, unreadable, with no trace of a smile. His eyes pierced through Dimitri like a silent warning.

“I heard enough to know you’re talking recklessly about Jeslyn,” he said in a low but firm voice. “And before you go any further, let me remind you of something, Uncle Dimitri. I can tolerate many things. But disrespecting someone who's with me? That crosses the line.”

“Relax, Leonel,” Dimitri chuckled awkwardly. “I was only joking.”

“Unfortunately, your jokes are disgusting,” Leonel interrupted, stepping forward until only a meter separated them. “We’re not in a boardroom. I don’t need to be diplomatic.”

Jeslyn looked at Leonel—relieved, yet worried. Meanwhile, Dimitri’s composure began to crack.

“You think a tiny investment in one of Halder’s vendors gives you the right to speak like that to anyone here?” Leonel continued. “If I hear one more vile comment about Jeslyn—even in a place like this—then we’ll speak through the legal team. Or worse, if you prefer.”

Dimitri knew exactly what Leonel meant.

His face stiffened. “Are you threatening me?”

Leonel stepped even closer. “No. I’m warning you.”

Silence fell between them.

Then Leonel turned to Jeslyn and extended his hand. “Come on. Let’s go back.”

Jeslyn looked at him for a moment, then took his hand. Together, they walked away—leaving Dimitri frozen in place, his pride swallowed by the echo of his own words.

As they moved away from the corner, Leonel whispered, firm yet gentle, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you alone near him.”

Jeslyn glanced up at him. “I can take care of myself.”

Leonel smiled faintly. “I know. But still—he’s not someone worth your energy.”

Jeslyn didn’t reply, but truthfully, she was touched by Leonel’s defense of her.

They returned to the center of the party where soft jazz filled the air, and chandeliers sparkled above the elegant crowd. Leonel still held Jeslyn’s hand—not too tightly, just enough to be present, not possessive. In front of the high-profile guests, they appeared like the perfect pair, though their status remained far from clear.

Near the lounge where they had stood earlier, Leonel paused and turned to Jeslyn.

“Are you sure you want to stay?” he asked. “I can take you home now.”

Jeslyn studied his expression, trying to tell whether he asked out of concern—or guilt.

“I’m fine,” she said softly. “Besides, I want to see how you convince Mr. Collins to invest another twenty million dollars.”

Leonel chuckled lightly, his calm demeanor returning. “You sure you want to hear more boring business terms?”

Jeslyn shrugged. “I can listen without understanding. At least this time, I won’t be standing alone.”

Leonel looked at her a few seconds longer than necessary. There was something in his eyes—something unspoken.

“Then,” he said quietly, “I’ll try to make this next talk a little more digestible.”

Jeslyn nodded slightly and sipped the rest of her drink. But deep inside, Dimitri’s words still lingered—not because they were true, but because a part of the world would always see her that way: a young woman assumed to be riding the coattails of a powerful man.

“Jeslyn…”

The voice pulled her back.

“Jefran?” she blinked in surprise as she saw him approaching. She glanced behind him—Luna was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is she?” Jeslyn asked.

“She’s gone,” Jefran replied. “I came to ask you for a dance. Please, don’t say no. This is to save face—for both of us, and for the Clovies family.”

Jeslyn raised an eyebrow. “Wasn’t it you who already embarrassed the family, Jef? Bold of you to bring your mistress here.”

“I’m not talking to you!” Jefran snapped, glaring at Leonel. “I’m talking to Jeslyn—my fiancée!”

Jeslyn exhaled slowly, trying to calm her rising emotions. Jefran’s desperate tone, combined with Leonel’s tightening jaw, made the air feel heavier than before.

“Fiancée?” Leonel scoffed, one corner of his mouth twitching. “You remember that now? After everything slipped out of your control?”

“Enough, Leonel,” Jeslyn said, voice firm but calm. She looked at both men. “I didn’t come here to fuel more family drama.”

Jefran stepped closer, voice soft, almost pleading. “I know I messed up. But just one dance. In front of everyone. Then you can hate me all you want.”

Jeslyn looked into his eyes. Once, those eyes made her feel safe. But now, she only saw a man desperate—not sincere.

“A dance won’t fix anything, Jef,” she said quietly. “Especially not after tonight.”

“But you’re still my fiancée,” he said, voice rising. “Everyone here knows that.”

“Yes,” Jeslyn replied calmly. “And they also know who made that title a joke.”

Jefran went silent, his face reddening from a mix of anger and humiliation. Some guests had started glancing their way, sensing the tension.

Leonel stepped forward, positioning himself between them.

“I think that’s enough,” he said coldly. “Don’t make a scene at someone else’s event. You’ll drag the family name down—and Dad will find out.”

Jefran clenched his fists, jaw tight. But in the end, he took a step back. “Fine. But remember this, Jeslyn. We’re still engaged—and we will get married!”

Jeslyn said nothing. She just watched him walk away, leaving a trail of tension behind.

Leonel turned to her. “You okay?”

Jeslyn nodded faintly, though her chest felt tight. “I just... want this night to end.”

Leonel nodded. “Alright. I’ll talk to Mr. Collins a bit longer, then I’ll take you home. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”

Jeslyn met his eyes. “No—I want to be there. At least... so this night doesn’t feel like a complete disaster.”

Leonel gave a faint smile. “Okay.”

Jeslyn followed Leonel, not fully healed, but steady enough to keep going.

He led her to a quieter corner of the ballroom, a semi-private lounge reserved for informal meetings. Mr. Collins was already there, waiting.

“Leonel,” the man greeted him warmly.

“This is Jeslyn, part of our strategic analysis team,” Leonel introduced her casually. It sounded simple, but Jeslyn knew he had just elevated her standing in the investor’s eyes.

“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Jeslyn,” Mr. Collins said politely.

Jeslyn responded with a professional smile and a small nod before taking a seat nearby, giving the men space to speak.

Leonel got straight to the point. “We’ve reviewed your proposal for second-round investment in the green energy sector. Our company, through Eastern Venture Holdings, has allocated an initial five million dollars for the first batch.”

Mr. Collins nodded, satisfied. “Good to hear. But I’d like to know your plan for maintaining stable returns over the next two quarters. Your last report showed that your raw material exports were affected by port tensions in the southern region.”

Leonel gave a confident smile. “We’ve secured contracts with alternative ports in Batam and partnered with logistics firms in Thailand to ensure smooth distribution. I also have a market risk analysis prepared by Jeslyn’s team, with three mitigation scenarios for energy price fluctuations.”

Jeslyn looked up briefly when her name was mentioned, giving a small nod as Leonel glanced at her.

Mr. Collins leaned back, clearly impressed. “That’s a well-prepared approach. I think we can move forward with a private session next week.”

Leonel nodded. “Our team will contact your assistant to schedule it.”

After the meeting concluded and Mr. Collins left, satisfied, Leonel returned to Jeslyn, who had been quietly sipping her water.

“It’s done,” Leonel said simply.

Jeslyn stood up. “You looked incredibly confident just now.”

Leonel raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that the point? We can’t afford to look shaky in front of someone like him.”

Jeslyn gave a soft smile. “You just saved face for the company... and for me.”

Leonel looked at her for a long moment. “You’re not someone who needs saving, Jeslyn. You’re part of the team. And tonight... I just made sure no one treats you as less than that.”

Jeslyn nodded, her chest a little lighter than before.

“Now, let’s go. I promised to take you home. But before that—would you dance with me? Just one song, Jessy?”

Thump.

***