Chapter 67 – Did You Really Have to Go That Far?

“Did you really have to go that far?” Jeslyn asked, making Leonel turn toward her with a furrowed brow.

“You’ve entrusted everything to me. So, I’ll use every bit of strength I have. Look—your wedding with Jefran is finally canceled. And now, your parents are on my side,” Leonel said with full confidence.

“Yes, but the whole thing earlier was so awkward,” Jeslyn sighed. “I know you were just helping me, but did you really have to buy shares?”

“Don’t you feel happy I did that? Now you can be with me,” Leonel asked, glancing at her.

“I don’t know whether I should be happy or not. Especially since you made that fake statement earlier. Did you say you love me? That was ridiculous, Leo,” Jeslyn retorted.

Leonel pulled the car over to the side of the road and unbuckled his seatbelt, turning fully toward her. “Do you think I just made that up?” he asked, locking eyes with her.

Jeslyn returned his gaze, her heart pounding erratically. “You… mean it?” her voice lowered to a near whisper.

Leonel gave a faint smile. “If it were a lie, I wouldn’t have gone through all that trouble. Especially risking my money and my name.”

Jeslyn looked away, out the window. “But—”

“But what? Are you afraid because I really do love you?” Leonel cut in, his voice low but sharp.

“That’s not it…” Jeslyn swallowed hard, her fingers nervously clutching her skirt. “I’m just… not ready.”

Leonel leaned closer, their faces just inches apart. “I’m not asking you to return my feelings right away. I just want you to know—they’re real.”

Jeslyn let out a long breath and looked at him again. “And what if I say I still don’t want to get married right now?”

Leonel gave a faint smile, but his gaze was resolute. “Then I’ll wait. Until you do.”

Silence filled the car, the ticking of the dashboard clock the only sound. Jeslyn lowered her head, trying to hide the flush creeping up her cheeks.

“Enough. You’ve heard everything I wanted you to hear. Let’s go back to my place, and tomorrow I’ll prepare for our exclusive interview. Alongside the announcement of your promotion to CEO of Clovies, I’ll also announce the cancellation of your wedding with Jefran,” Leonel said.

Jeslyn’s eyes widened. “An exclusive interview? You’re insane, Leo. That’ll just make the gossip explode even more.”

“That’s exactly what I want,” Leonel replied calmly, starting the engine again. “Let everyone hear the truth from us directly, not from cheap rumors.”

Jeslyn leaned back in her seat, sighing. “I hate it when you corner me like this.”

Leonel glanced at her, the corner of his lips lifting. “Funny. I think I’m saving you.”

“From what? You’re the one causing the mess,” she muttered, while Leonel only smiled as if unbothered.

The car rolled forward slowly, city lights glimmering through the windshield. Midway through the drive, Jeslyn’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen—Daddy.

Hesitating, she answered. “Jeslyn,” her father’s voice was heavy. “We need to talk tomorrow morning. There’s something important we must discuss. Come home alone, without Leonel.”

Jeslyn tensed. “Is there something else you want to talk about, Dad?”

“Just come,” her father said shortly before hanging up.

Jeslyn stared out the window, her thoughts racing. From the corner of his eye, Leonel watched her, as if sensing that the call was far from ordinary.

“Looks like,” Leonel murmured, “tomorrow’s going to be hotter than today.”

“Stop teasing me. I feel like I’ve used up all my energy today.”

Leonel chuckled softly, though his tone was gentle. “Then rest tonight. Tomorrow, let me handle the media.”

Jeslyn shot him a doubtful look. “What if I say I’m not going to that interview?”

“You’ll still be sitting beside me,” Leonel replied, calm but firm. “Because if you stay silent, people will make up their own story—and that will be worse.”

Jeslyn exhaled deeply. She knew he had a point, but the thought of sitting in front of cameras next to Leonel still made her stomach twist.

The car entered the gated luxury neighborhood. Silence hung in the air, broken only by the sound of tires on asphalt. In her mind, questions swirled about what her father really wanted to say tomorrow.

When the car stopped in front of Leonel’s house, he switched off the engine and looked at her for a long moment. “Whatever your father says tomorrow,” he said quietly, “don’t believe it until you hear my side.”

Jeslyn frowned. “Why do you sound like you already know?”

Leonel just gave a faint smile before getting out. “Come inside. We need a calm night.”

Jeslyn followed, though her heart felt even more restless. She had no idea whether tomorrow would bring resolution—or spark a greater chaos.

In her room, Jeslyn lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

I love Jeslyn.

The words Leonel had spoken kept echoing in her mind.

“How could a man like him understand love?” she murmured, closing her eyes. She didn’t want to get carried away by her own feelings—especially toward Leonel, a man full of secrets and danger.

Jeslyn took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. The night breeze through the slightly open window carried the soft scent of camellias, but it wasn’t enough to soothe her. She turned on her side, staring at the tightly closed door.

Leonel’s image still lingered—his faint smile, the way his eyes seemed to read her soul without permission, his calm yet commanding voice. All of it made her unsure whether she should run away… or fall even deeper.

She covered her face with her hands. This was madness.

Maybe people were right—danger sometimes comes in a form far too alluring to ignore.

Jeslyn bit her lip. What does he really want from me?

Meanwhile, in his study, Leonel sat with a glass of dark brown liquid in hand when his assistant walked in.

“Is there a problem?” Leonel asked.

“No, sir. But I saw Mr. William Clovies—Jefran’s father—meeting secretly with Grade, the leader of the Lunix gang,” his assistant reported.

Leonel raised an eyebrow, swirling the liquid in his glass until it formed a small vortex. His gaze was sharp, though his voice remained low and controlled.

“Where did they meet?” he asked, his flat tone somehow more dangerous.

“Ashton Club, VIP wing,” the assistant replied, bowing slightly. “Their meeting lasted about an hour, and I’m certain it wasn’t just casual talk.”

Leaning back in his black leather chair, Leonel gazed at the crystal chandelier above him as if piecing together a plan. “William Clovies and Grade. An interesting combination.”

“There’s more news, sir,” the assistant added, checking his phone. “Dimitri Clovies just joined them.”

Leonel stayed silent for a long moment, his eyes cold and full of threat. Finally, he said, “I suppose the enemies are starting to unite because of the moves I’ve made.” He took a slow sip of his drink.

***