Chapter 3
In Lionel's mansion, uncle Tim held a family meeting which didn't look like a family meeting at all, it was more like a celebration of him being CEO and ofcourse scarlet being declared missing.
Everywhere was tastefully decorated and furnished with palatable and sumptuous meals of ratatouille, cassoulet, fruits, and dessert which was displayed on the dining table.
Uncle Tim was seated on the dining table grinning from ear to ear, his wife Laurel was seated faking a smile, aunt Barbara uncle Tim's immediate younger sister was seated too. Julius, uncle Tim's biological son, also was seated there, he literally had no expression on his face.
Julius Lionel the 27 year old son of Timothy Lionel who is everything like his father, cunning, bitter, cold and callous. Julius was the result of the one night stand uncle Tim had with laurel years ago. He didn't relent in teaching and grooming his son with all the evil he knew. Like they say, the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.
"Where is Leo?" Uncle Tim inquired from his wife she was about to answer when a masculine voice interrupted her, "I am right here father" Leo answered.
Leo Lionel is the adopted son of Timothy Lionel. He is calm and level headed and didn't quite talk a lot. Physically, he is tall and imposing, with broad shoulders and a strong jawline. He has blonde hair and piercing gray eyes that seems to always be sizing up those around him and his cold demeanor can make him seem unapproachable. And is the CEO of "Cuisine d'amour" One of the best restaurants in Paris.
Flashback
A frail looking 5 year old boy was seen roaming round the streets of Paris, he was an orphan who begged to eat. On this particular day, while he was begging on the streets, he was mistakenly knocked down by uncle Tim. He rushed him to the hospital only to find out that he was diagnosed with a ruptured arm; "the impact of the car hitting him and the forceful landing on the floor broke his arm, he will be fine and he's unconscious now.
Leo woke up with pains all over his body, he tried to scan the room but his eyes hadn't adjusted to the luminosity of the lights. "Where am I?" He muttered to himself.
"Hello boy, how are you feeling? My name is Timothy Lionel and…" just then, Leo opened his eyes and met the shock of his life. Timothy Lionel the son of the richest business man in Paris Lionel Jones, and the heir to Legardère Group standing right in his front? He'd never thought this day would ever come in this lifetime, but then, he didn't care anyways. "What do you want from me?" Leo said, Timothy was shocked to hear that, he didn't expect such an attitude from a boy at that age not to talk of a street boy who should be worshiping him but he's here asking questions. He thought everyone who lived in the street or every beggar was an opportunist who would do anything to have an opportunity to talk to him, just maybe he was wrong.
"Well, as I was saying, I'm Timothy Lionel, I know that name rings a bell in your head. You ran into my car while I was driving and passed out, so I decided to be a good person and a patriotic citizen by bringing you to the hospital but you seem to be ungrateful to my act of kindness towards you".
"Act of kindness? You are a hilarious man aren't you? You literally knocked me down with your car, you should be responsible enough to take Me to a hospital" Leo said.
I like your attitude and wits boy, the hospital will contact your parents to take you home. He tapped Leo's head as he was about to leave, "I don't have parents, I don't have anyone, I live on the streets alone Leo said" Timothy stopped in his tracks as he turned to look at the boy. He paused momentarily and walked to where Leo was lying down.
I could give you a name, a home, and a life and that is solely on one condition, only if you're willing to do anything I ask of you. 5 year old Leo thought about it, besides he had no life in the streets, he didn't have parents, he struggled to eat, he didn't have a good life, he was just a beggar who stole from people when there was no other means to eat. "Yes I agree to do anything you want" Leo said. Good, then we have a deal from now onwards, you are Leo Lionel. I would come to pick you up tomorrow to visit my lawyer for the paperwork and all other procedures, and also to take you to your new home.
The next day, Timothy took Leo to his lawyer and did all the adoption process. By the time the whole process was done, it was already night, so they drove to Lionel's mansion.
Uncle Tim walked in with Leo, Leo couldn't believe what he saw, "so this is going to be my home from now?" Yes Timothy said.
A woman walked down the stairs with a little boy, " Good evening honey" the woman said to Timothy and pecked him. "Leo, this is my wife laurel and my one year old son Julius" the woman kept looking at uncle Tim curious to know who the haggard looking boy with a bandaged arm is and why he brought him home.
This is Leo, he is my son and he's going to be living with us from now onwards. Lauren's face changed; it was a good example of shock and confusion now.
…..
End of flashback
"Do you always have to be late for everything Leo?" Uncle Tim asked. I'm sorry father, I just had a lot to finish up at the office. "Have a seat Leo," uncle Tim said. "Thank you father," Leo said .
Everyone was seated now, uncle Tim cleared his throat and began "I held this meeting to address the disappearance of my niece scarlet, which has been a big disturbance and cause of worry to me lately. And secondly, to announce my position as the acting CEO of Legardère Group" uncle Tim cheered happily as he raised a glass to toast but was interrupted by a comment "you seem rather happy than worried father, I thought you were disturbed and worried by your niece's disappearance. But you seem rather happy or maybe, you just don't care". Leo said, "watch your mouth leo" uncle Tim said with anger, "why should I watch my mouth, you seem to like to destroy people's life, you derive this pleasure in seeing people In pain. Of course, why wouldn't a masochist like you be happy and grinning from ear to ear" Leo said .
"Stop it Leo, don't you dare talk to your father in that manner" Laurel said. "Of Course I shouldn't, every young person should always be respectful to their elderly one's even when they're doing something wrong and unjust? Well, newsflash mother, I'm not like you who literally stares at something wrong and doesn't do anything. And I will never be like you!" Leo said.
"Don't talk to my mother like that, you ungrateful opportunist," Julius said to leo.
"Shut up you daddy pleaser you don't get to talk when I'm talking. Sit your ass down and stop whinning like you always do".
"Father, haven't you caused me so much pain already, or is isn't enough that you helped to ruin my life? Why do you still want to destroy others? For goodness sake father, please leave scarlet and her company alone, she has gone through enough suffering and pain don't add to it, she deserves every good thing that comes her way and she worked hard for it" Leo said .
"When you are done blabbering it is in your mouth, you get out of my house this minute!" Uncle Tim said.
"Your house? Isn't it Scarlet's house? She was kind enough to let you and your family stay. Fine, I'll leave your house but just a reminder, don't hurt more people, don't make matters more complicated than it already is and lastly, the truth cannot be hidden forever".
"Get out of my house Leo! Uncle Tim shouted with rage as Leo stormed out ?".
"Don't make me regret my decision of giving you a life you ungrateful brat". Uncle Tim said breathlessly.