Chapter 404: A Breakthrough
"I have no interest in playing these games with you, Mr. Leonard. Since our conversation is leading nowhere, I’ll take my leave," Ella said, her tone laced with disdain as she turned to walk out.
But she paused abruptly, glancing around the living room. "That said... I do quite like the style of your sitting room, Mr. Leonard." She began to circle the room, inspecting it casually.
Leonard merely sipped his wine lazily, offering no response.
"I hope next time we meet, Mr. Leonard, you’ll understand what I’m saying." Ella chuckled lightly, casting a brief glance at the two alluring maids before striding out confidently.
Luke frowned, shooting Leonard a cold glance before silently following Ella out.
As Ella passed by a maid sweeping the floor, her sharp eyes caught a faint kiss mark behind the maid’s ear.
So the rumors are true, Ella thought. Leonard has clearly taken liberties with the young women in his estate.
Back in the car, Luke gave Ella a long, probing look.
If Eric truly was being held in this estate, what was Ella’s real intent behind this visit?
Leonard might appear indulgent and careless, but Luke knew better. He was a strategist—a dangerous one. His apparent frivolity was a calculated facade, a shield to avoid being entangled in the brutal power struggles of his family. He feigned indulgence in foreign culture and debauchery to seem harmless, but in reality, he was the most cunning player in the game.
Leonard had likely faced threats to his life, forcing him to mask his intelligence. Yet, when pressured by Mr. Bowen, he would step forward with a carefully crafted plan in critical moments.