CHAPTER THREE

~LEONARD

“Leo, have you seen this? I think your cousin has lost it.” Axel said, scrolling through his phone as he sat across my seat in the office.

The polished dark mahogany and minimalist leather furniture anchored the room, while a subtle hum of distant shipping traffic filtered through the soundproofed glass, keeping the outside world away from our conversation.

“What has Adrian not done to bring me down before Grandpa? You shouldn't be surprised at how low he can go.” I said, leaning back on my office seat.

The Montgomery Marine and Aviation groups, my father had started the aviation sector before he was assassinated. But he laid a great groundwork. And I built the Marine group from it.

No one was going to take it from me. Not even some half baked spoiled son.

“How are you going to deal with this news?” Axel asked, now looking at me.

“Who is this woman though? And why is she so quiet about this?” I said, parting my blonde flowing waves.

“She is beautiful though. I saw her photo on the article. Funny enough, she is also a member of the Hayes family.” He said, placing the phone on the desk.

“An unlucky girl, indeed.” I said, a sly smile on my face as an idea popped into my brain. “How is the hospital?”

“Stop there. I don't want to talk about it. People make royal life easy on TV. But try merging it with a medical career.” He sighed. “I'm feeding off your drama. So please, keep it up.”

“Okay, Prince Axel Harrington. Can you leave, I have a meeting with a client.” I said, pointing him to the door.

“Fine. I'm off to the hospital though. Try to get a check up.” He said, leaving the office.

I spinned the seat to the other side looking at the sea, ships and yachts. Couples moving into the yachts and out off the yacht, giggling and holding hands.

Love. What a stupid fallacy. Women just want to gain from us. Be it money, fame or stability. Men just want pleasure. It's all a transaction.

And that transaction was good for my business. The telephone ringed, interrupting my calls.

“Hello sir.” The female voice on the other end of the line said, “There is a client here to see you. They are in the restaurant.”

“Okay, I'll be there shortly.” I placed the phone telephone down. Getting up, I picked my iPad, phone and keys.

I walked out of the office and the secretary stationed in front of the office stood up.

“I will be leaving for a bit.” I said walking towards the elevator.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing the elegant lobby of Montgomery Marine.

Floor-to-ceiling glass overlooked the harbor where sleek yachts bobbed gently against the docks.

Employees greeted me with respectful nods as I crossed the lobby and made my way into the waterfront restaurant.

Near the glass windows sat my client, a man in his late fifties dressed in an impeccable navy suit. He rose to his feet the moment he saw me.

"Mr. Montgomery. It's an honor."

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Dubois." I shook his hand before taking my seat opposite him.

"I trust the journey wasn't unpleasant?"

"Not at all. Your marina is quite impressive." His gaze drifted toward the yachts outside before returning to me. "I can see why everyone wants to partner with Montgomery Marine."

A waiter approached, taking our orders before quietly leaving.

"I've gone through your proposal," I said, opening my iPad. "Your company wants exclusive docking rights for your Mediterranean fleet."

"Correct. And we're prepared to invest heavily if the terms are favorable."

For the next thirty minutes, we discussed figures, expansion plans, and shipping routes.

It was a straightforward negotiation, and one I was already leaning toward approving.

Mr. Dubois closed the file and smiled.

"I believe we have an agreement."

"So do I." We exchanged a firm handshake. Just as I was about to stand, Mr. Dubois hesitated.

"If you don't mind me asking..." I looked at him.

"That article circulating this morning..." he began carefully. "The one about your cousin's wife."

I leaned back in my chair. "What about it?"

He gave an awkward chuckle.

"It's becoming quite the topic among investors. Several people at the yacht club were discussing it before I came here. Some are saying the Montgomery family has become more entertaining than television."

My expression remained unreadable.

"They're also saying..." he paused.

"...if Mr. Adrian Montgomery is making headlines for scandals while you're making headlines for business, the board's choice for the next President may become much easier."

Silence settled between us.

Outside, a superyacht eased away from the dock, cutting through the calm waters. I looked out at the sea before speaking.

"My cousin's personal life has nothing to do with this company."

"Perhaps." Mr. Dubois smiled knowingly. "But perception has built and destroyed empires."

Those words lingered long after the meeting ended.

For the first time that morning, I reached for my phone. I opened the article.

My eyes landed on the photograph of the woman standing beside Adrian.

Aurora Hayes.

“Haha! Don't mind her, she is just going through a lot currently. Let me check out the menu.” A loud voice said, capturing my attention to the two ladies a few tables away from me.

The one talking didn't interest me but there was something about the ginger head in front of her. I couldn't see her face.

I looked back at the picture, Aurora was also a ginger head. What are the odds that the lady in front of me was the lady in the photo?

I got up from the chair and moved past them as they ordered to the bar area where I had a perfect view of her face.

Wow. She was the beautiful, yet unlucky creature that Adrian decided to create a scandal with. What a fool.

I ordered a shot from the bartender. I drink it bottoms up, before staring at her one last time. But this time, our eyes met.

She didn't look away, she kept up with me until the waiter called for her attention. My lips curved to a smirk and soon, I left the restaurant.

She didn't look like someone who needed help, or she masks it so well.

Grandpa has asked for a meeting tonight. I wonder what that biased old fool wanted now. He could die with the Montgomery group for all I care, death was a peace offering, he deserved torture.