The Treshvire mansion...
Seated behind his tastefully polished mahogany desk in his dimly lit home office like a medieval king on his throne, Leon's face was a mask of fury as he listened to his second son's reckless adventure.
"So let me get this straight....you hopped into bed with some random drunk girl, didn't bother using protection, got her pregnant, then had the brilliant idea to crash her wedding day and run off to marry her? Tell me, son, did I leave out anything in this genius adventure of yours?"
Kai lowered his head, his clenched fist resting on his thigh and his eyes burning with anger.
"I'm very sorry, Dad."
"You sorry? Hmm...." Leon's voice was calm and at the same time chilly, causing the temperature in the room to drop to a dangerously freezing level.
Pushing his swivel chair backwards, he slowly rose and took long strides to his wall-mounted wine collection. He picked up an expensive bottle of 1797 whiskey and two glasses before returning to his table. He perched on the edge of the table in front of his son and extended one of the glasses to him.
"Take this."
Kai met his father's cold but unreadable gaze. "Dad, I know you're disappointed in me and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to correct my mistakes."
"Let's drink, first."
Leon removed the bottle cap with a pop and poured some of the golden liquid into his son's glass before filling his own.
"To you..." He raised his glass, his narrowed gaze never leaving Kai. "...may your new wife have more patience than your mother, more forgiveness than I do and more wisdom than you've shown me today. Cheers!" He clinked his glasses with his slightly frozen son before downing the whole content–the burning sensation from the alcohol doing little to tame the storm raging inside of him.
Kai watched his father slowly return to his seat, his posture stoic and his steps heavy. His sad gaze flickered to his drink and he exhaled before taking a sip.
"Aside from your brother, have you spoken to anyone about this?" Leon's tone was sharp and businesslike as he took his seat, meeting his son's gaze.
"No, Dad."
"Good. Let it remain that way for now. Give me the girl's details."
Kai hesitated, knowing how dangerous his father was. "Dad, please, let me handle this myself. I don't want you to get rid of her."
Leon chuckled bitterly. "Who said anything about getting rid of her?"
Kai's chest tightened. "Can you at least tell me what you want to do?"
"I just want to know who my future daughter-in-law is and make sure you haven't just signed your death warrant by your stupidity."
Kai's jaw tightened. "Her name is Ruby Angelo."
"Angelo?!" Leon raised a brow.
"Yes, Dad. Do you know that name?" Kai asked, observing a shift in his father's demeanour.
"There are over a thousand Angelos in the world that I know. So can you be more specific and detailed in your description?"
"Okay.... Ruby is a creative fashion designer from Rollington county. She's the only child of her parents, Jonathan and Agnes Angelo. She is a co-owner of Drubick Edges and..."
"Is she related to someone named Diana Angelo?" Leon cut his son off.
"Yes..." Kai's eyes widened. "Diana is her grandmother. Do you know her?"
Leon's expression turned dangerous as he replied. "I'm afraid you have to cut every tie with her immediately."
"What?!" Kai shot to his feet, his eyes widened in disbelief and anger. "Why?!"
"Because her grandfather, who I believe is late, was our family's sworn enemy before your grandfather shot him in the head."
"What?" Kai froze at his father's words. "Grandpa Maxwell killed Ruby's grandfather?!"
"Yes... and you can imagine how he would react to find out that you're messing around with the enemy's granddaughter."
Kai felt his knees wobble as he held onto the table for support, his heart beating erratically.
"You said you met her at a club, right?"
"Yes," Kai whispered.
"Did you notice anything strange about her, and was there anyone with her at that time?"
"I don't think so. She was there alone."
"And you said before you woke up the following morning, she was gone?"
"Yes."
"Did you notice anything missing?"
"No.... She didn't steal anything from me."
Leon stood up and walked around the table to where his son was standing, his expression steely and dangerous.
"Does she know who you are?"
Kai nodded in response, plopping back on his seat, his heart heavy.
"When? Was it at the club, and after you foolishly married her?"
Kai's shoulder stiffened. "I introduced myself to her before we got married."
"Shit!" Leon's gaze darkened as he quickly retrieved his phone from his desk and dialled a number.
"Dad please... Ruby is not..."
"Did any of her family members recognise you while you were there at Rollington County?" Leon demanded in a deadpan tone
"I don't think so..."
The line connected and Leon spoke into the phone. "Find Ruby Angelo and bring her to..."
"Dad, please!" Kai boomed, snatching the phone from his father's hand. He ended the call before meeting his father's lethal gaze.
"Ruby is now my wife. I don't care who she is or what her family have done in the past. She is different and I have feelings for her."
"So you will defy your own father for this woman whom you barely know and whose family can end your life without flinching," Leon growled.
"I'm sorry, Dad, but I'll have to take my chances. I can't let you hurt her. She is now my responsibility and she is carrying my child. Your grandchild."
"How do you even know the baby in her womb is yours?" Leon scoffed.
"Because I was her first, Dad." Kai gritted his teeth, his voice rising slightly. "And she hasn't been with any other man since that night."
Leon stared at his son coldly but silently for a few minutes. He recalled his past mistakes with Ella and he didn't want his son to go down that path. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
Kai exhaled, "Yes, Dad."
Leon smiled bitterly, patting his son on the chin. "Then I won't do anything to stop you. But... If it comes to that point where I have to protect my family, I will do whatever it takes."
"Fair enough." Kai nodded.
"Go join your mother and the rest of the family downstairs, and keep this discussion between us. I'll be the one to inform your mother."
"Thank you, Dad." Kai forced a smile before exiting the office.