As though his luck had been sucked away by ghosts and devils Lars experienced one bad thing after another. He had yet again inevitably stepped on his cousin's toes.
He pursed his lips and tried to make as little noise as possible as he walked away at a light and snail-like pace but his cousin somehow noticed him. As though he had eyes on the back of his head he said, "Bring it over."
Leif stood up and accepted the suit jacket from Lars. As he put it on he said, "All the conditions and benefits you will gain from this contract are clearly stated. You think about it carefully… I have ordered dessert for you and the bill has been paid. Miss Quinn eat slowly," he said before turning to leave.
The tense atmosphere suddenly mellowed from the moment he left the room. Quinn swallowed her emotions down as she stared at the papers. Her fingers clenched the paper tightly till her nails turned white. She couldn't understand why the hell this offer was even on the table.
The man had issues but he was handsome and had a lot of money which meant he wouldn't be short of potential suitors who would even be willing to marry him with an airtight prenup.
Quinn let out a scornful laugh as her gaze wandered outside the window looking down at the busy street.
"Ma'am… your tiramisu with a scoop of pistachio ice cream is ready," said the nice-sounding voice of the waiter pulling her back from her thoughts.
Quinn smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Leif had indeed researched all her likes and dislikes which wasn't surprising at all. Considering the type of business he was into it wouldn't be a surprise that he would know what colour her underwear was.
"Thank you… I will drink that bottle of wine if it's still available," she said and the waiter nodded before bringing over a wine bucket stand.
She didn't want to drink before but now it seemed like it was a necessity. She drank it slowly thoroughly savoring the taste of the expensive wine her expression blankly staring into space.
Meanwhile, Leif's expression didn't look so good as he drove back to his office. The car was eerie silent the atmosphere stifling and no one dared to make a sound. He just wanted to be in his space and calm his chaotic mind but it was as though the universe was against him today.
When he pushed the door of the office he found an unexpected guest sitting on the couch while smoking so much that there was thick smog.
"Sir," said a soft-spoken secretary as he timidly stood by the door.
Leif didn't even address him. He turned to Lars and said, "Such weak persons can't work for me directly. Compensate him handsomely and send him away."
The man's body trembled in fright hearing this. What did he mean by compensate him handsomely? Did it mean he was going to be roughed up before they let him go?
"I I I... sir," he said not daring to yell as he was dragged away. His voice edged in fear as he was dragged into the elevator and a steely silence spread across the office the atmosphere tense.
Leif entered his office his steps slow and unhurried. As he sat down opposite her he picked up the remote on the coffee table and with a soft click he turned on the ventilator fan.
"What are you doing here?" he asked his voice calm but his words were as sharp as a dagger.
The woman dressed in red with pencil-thin stilettos who looked three parts similar to him raised her head and put out the cigarette in the ashtray before saying,
"Can't I come to see you?"
"No," replied Leif directly. She was very much undeserving of the title of mother. She was the reason why his childhood and teenage years were so miserable. His father was now reduced to a mental patient by her hand so forgive him for not having any interest in having a mother-and-son relationship.
The woman snorted coldly as she averted her gaze with a slight quirk at the corner of her lips. "I heard you rejected Miss Bach...," she said before shuffling closer and continuing to say, "Can I ask you something? Is it that you are impotent o-."
"Miss Bardin!" he called out through gritted teeth his fist clenched tightly.
The woman's playful expression sank her eyes fierce like that of a beast whose toes had been stepped on.
Pa!
A loud resounding slap echoed through the room and she struck her son's face. His face tilted to the side he raised his fingers and touched the corner of his lips lightly. His fingertips were stained with blood.
"It's Mrs. Carnell," she said through gritted teeth with the veins on her temples throbbing like she was suppressing a violent storm.
Her fingers trembling she slammed a file on his desk and some of the papers spilled out partly revealing the word 'family estate'.
"If you have a problem with your manhood you should get that sorted out otherwise that useless waste will be moving into your office any time soon," she said before picking up her handbag and directly walking out of the office.
The clanking of her heels slowly faded away and Leif's tense body finally relaxed as he closed his eyes.
He had clear instructions that no one should let this woman taint her office space with her choking perfume and sickening aura. When she invaded his space whether it be his office or house, he would feel very uncomfortable like he had been violated. That's how much she upset him.
His rules were strict but It seemed this new secretary couldn't stand his ground and prevent her from coming in. In truth, the young man couldn't be blamed for this. Who made his mother look like a behemoth? He stood no chance at all thus Leif made sure to generously compensate him.