Chapter 74. Secrets in the Shadows

“Damn him! He said I no longer have any rights in Clovies Corporation? Just how far does he think he can go in taking everything from me?” William roared in fury, his fist slamming against the wooden table so hard that the crystal glass on top shattered into pieces.

His face burned red, veins bulging on his neck. He couldn’t believe it—Leonel, whom he had once considered just a temporary business ally, now stood on the grand stage as if he were the rightful ruler of Clovies.

Dimitri, seated a few steps away, smirked while lighting his cigar. “I told you before, Leonel isn’t an ordinary man. He’s not the type who’d be satisfied staying in the shadows. Sooner or later, he was bound to sweep aside anyone who stood in his way.”

“Shut up, Dimitri!” William snapped, his eyes blazing with wrath. “This is all because of that filthy deal we made with him. I should never have allowed that bastard to sink his claws so deeply into Clovies!”

Dimitri exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his gaze calculating. “But the problem is, he’s already at the top. And the world sees him as the new leader of Clovies. Do you know what that means? Even the shares still in your name will start to lose their stability.”

William ground his teeth. “I won’t stay silent. Never! As long as I live, Clovies belongs to me and my family. Leonel will regret the day he ever challenged me.”

“So what’s your plan? Should we do what we once did… to his parents?” Dimitri asked coldly.

“Stop bringing that up, Dimitri!” William barked.

Behind the door, Jefran stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. Dimitri’s words echoed in his mind: What we once did to his parents. His fists clenched. Could it be true—that his father and uncle were behind the death of Leonel’s parents?

William rose abruptly from his chair, still seething. “Leonel is overconfident. He thinks that with the board’s support, he’s already won everything. But he forgets—I know his weakness.”

“Jeslyn?” Dimitri’s tone was mocking, almost amused by the burning tension.

William shot him a sharp glare. “Exactly. He dared to steal Jeslyn from Jefran, so I’ll use that to crush him. I don’t care what it takes—Leonel will never know happiness. Not with this company, and not with that woman!”

Jefran’s eyes burned with emotion as he listened. His heart twisted at the thought of Jeslyn being used as a pawn in their cruel game. At the same time, he was struggling to digest the heavy truth about Leonel’s past.

“And what about Adrian Hydra? Do you think he’ll sit quietly if he finds out we’re using his daughter to destroy Leonel?” Dimitri pressed.

William waved dismissively, his voice dripping with arrogance. “Adrian is nothing more than a pawn. He thought by marrying his daughter to Jefran, he’d gain a place at the heart of Clovies. But from the very beginning, I’ve only been using him.”

Dimitri narrowed his eyes, a sly smile playing at his lips. “Never underestimate Adrian. You know the Hydra family’s reputation—they’re cunning and dangerous. If he discovers Jeslyn is being used as bait against Leonel, he might turn on you.”

“Let him try!” William shouted with prideful defiance. “Hydra or anyone else—no one can challenge me. Clovies isn’t just a company, it’s a kingdom. And I am its king. No one will take my throne!”

From behind the door, Jefran’s whole body trembled. Not just from the dark secret he had just uncovered, but also from the terrifying obsession in his father’s voice. So all of this… it’s just a game of power? Even Jeslyn, the woman I love, is nothing more than a pawn on their chessboard.

His vision blurred with emotion. He wanted to burst in, to scream and demand answers. But his feet felt nailed to the ground. A voice in his head told him—the time wasn’t right.

Dimitri moved closer to William, patting his shoulder. “Then we’ll need a clever move. Leonel is too dangerous to face head-on. Use his weakness—use his feelings for Jeslyn. Hurt him there, and he’ll collapse.”

William nodded slowly, his eyes blazing with vengeance. “Yes. If I must, I’ll make Leonel suffer the same hell his father once endured.”

The words cut through Jefran like a blade. His breath quickened, cold sweat trickled down his temple. His father? Then it’s true—they were behind Leonel’s parents’ deaths.

He covered his mouth to stop the trembling in his voice. With heavy steps, he walked away, his mind spiraling with confusion.

“What is this secret? Why, Dad? I thought you truly loved Leonel like your own son. You raised him with me when he was just ten, after his parents died. You took custody of him…” Jefran muttered to himself, his chest tightening. “I never imagined… not like this.”

“Sir.” Blade stood tall, his face grim.

“Yes, speak,” Leonel replied without turning, his gaze still fixed out the window.

“I’ve found traces of Miss Jeslyn’s whereabouts.”

Leonel spun around instantly, his sharp eyes widening with shock. “Where is she?”

Blade took a steady breath before answering. “She’s at one of her family’s old villas. A place abandoned for years, almost forgotten. But recently, suspicious activity has been observed there.”

Leonel frowned. “Her family’s villa?”

Blade nodded. “One of our men is keeping watch nearby, making sure Miss Jeslyn doesn’t leave. According to him, it’s the villa she used to visit often with her late brother.”

“Her… late brother?” Leonel repeated softly, his expression hardening. His gaze snapped back to Blade. “What do you mean? Jeslyn had a brother?”

Blade lowered his head, speaking firmly. “Miss Jeslyn had a twin brother who passed away five years ago. His name was Julio Matthew Hydra.”

For a moment, Leonel’s world stopped. His eyes widened, his body rigid. “What did you say?”

“Julio Matthew Hydra, sir,” Blade confirmed. “Adrian Hydra’s son—and Miss Jeslyn’s twin.”

Leonel’s chest rose and fell sharply, his jaw tightening. The name struck him with an odd familiarity, like a shadow from his past. But never had he known it was tied to Jeslyn.

“Why… why was I never told about this?” he muttered under his breath.

Blade regarded him cautiously. “It seems the Hydra family deliberately buried Julio’s story. Only a handful of people know.”

Leonel’s fists clenched, his eyes flashing with rage and determination. “Julio Matthew Hydra and Jeslyn… They’ve hidden far too much from me.”

“What are your orders, sir?” Blade asked.

Leonel turned, his gaze sharp as a blade. “Prepare the car. Tonight, I’m going to that villa. I will bring Jeslyn back.”

***