Leo was discussing matters with Secretary Zhang when his phone rang up from a notification. He realized that it was a message from Leah.
The cold corner of his eyes softened when he clicked on the message and saw the cake baked by Leah.
"Should I come home early?" he replied before putting his phone away.
Secretary Zhang noticed his shift of emotions and realized how Leo was talking to his wife. Only Leah could make this block of ice melt.
"Mr. Leo, I have sent the revised copy of the contract to both Mr. Edward and Mr. Richard along with the details of the project," informed Secretary Zhang.
Leo nodded.
"Also, Mr. David wanted to sit for dinner with you," Secretary Zhang voiced out, "he wants to poach you into his company with a formal position. But I let him know how you wish to establish your company. Therefore, he wants to discuss cooperation with you."
Leo's uncle probably thought he had pushed him at the bottom of the abyss by fabricating rumors about him, ripping off assets in his name, and sullying his name on the internet.
But Secretary Zhang trusted his Boss's abilities. Leo had proven himself well enough abroad during the period of time he studied in University. Because of this, he decided to stay by his side even after all had happened.
"What about setting up the company?" questioned Leo.
"The process of registration is still going on. It will be done within two to three days."
With the memories of his previous life, Leo knew the successful trajectories of development and decided to register for an investment company.
Leo's attention was once again grabbed by his phone ringing up from the message.
Leah's response read, "Take your time. I will be waiting for you."
°°°
Leah's mood turned gloomy when she entered the premise of the Xu Family. Her vibrant hazel eyes turned dull, and in the living room, she found the entire family waiting for her.
Her appearance made Jenny sneer and comment, "I thought you will be bringing along your dear husband for support this time as well. Could it be that he got bored of you so soon?"
Leah remained unfazed by her words. Growing up until now, she had heard worse from this entire family. Now, she treated them as the air.
"It's still working hours," Leah responded, "he is busy."
Not everyone can afford to be like the Xu Family, gather in the living room at the afternoon while everyone toiled away at their job.
Jenny scoffed.
"What job can that waste do? He probably has fooled you with few words and went off to enjoy with those good-for-nothing friends of his," Jenny expressed, "be careful. Maybe he has another woman in his arm now."
Leah stared at her blankly.
She chose to not ask whether she was speaking from a personal experience.
"What do you want me here for?" Leah asked, going straight to the point. "I thought you wished to cut all ties from me."
"Dahlia International Exhibition is coming up. This time, the art piece will be presented at France. The drawing has to be unique and mesmerizing. Finish it less than a month," Arianna arrogantly ordered as if the matter she mentioned was something glorious.
Leah immediately turned her down. "I can't."
Miles Xu's eyes darkened in anger.
"You have grown a backbone after getting married, right? Tone down that attitude of yours. Remember I can dig out that mother of your's grave anytime," Miles warned.
Jenny snickered and added, "Don't tell me just because you got married, you thought that you can shirk away from your responsibilities. No matter what, remember you will always be tied to Xu Family."
Leah wished to laugh.
What type of responsibility?
Supporting Arianna's plagiarism?
In the world of art, Arianna's name spread as a rising, talented painter whose arts captured all aspects of human emotions well, evoking a sense of brightness after deep moment of gloominess.
The interpretation of her works was left to the enjoyers, Arianna choosing to remain silent on the descriptions. According to her, the paintings had multitude sides, and everyone had to find one that suited them.
It was because of this Arianna gained fame and respect in the upper class with many wishing to collect her pieces. The Xu Family proudly marketed them as if it belonged to them.
However, unknown to the world, Leah was the artist behind these profound paintings.
Ever since her talent in art was described by the Xu Family, they made sure to exploit it, making her behind the scenes artist.
Once she was done painting a work Xu Family felt satisfied with, it would be put out under the name of Arianna.
How ridiculous!
However, in return for the little freedom the Xu Family provided her in exchange for this, Leah did their bidding and painted as much as possible.
"Isn't Arianna the genius painter? Why can't she do it on her own?" Leah pointed out.
"You dare to bring that up!? If my daughter hasn't been plotted and hurt by you, how could you have been so smug?
She would have managed to win all the glory by herself. If it weren't for this little value you have, do you think our Xu Family would have harbored a shameless creature like you?"
Leah's eyes fell on Arianna.
She plotted and hurt her?
Back at high school, an art competition was held. Leah eagerly participated in it, about to hand in her painting for submission. However, the night before the day of submission, Arianna saw her artwork.
She understood how Leah's one would be the obvious winner.
Therefore, as Leah stepped out of her room, Arianna confronted her in front of the staircase. Before Leah was able to get a word out, Arianna skilled and slid down the staircase, falling on the ground under her shocked eyes.
Miles and Jenny came over. The blame was pushed on to her shoulder, and Leah ended up being locked in her room. Moreover, no matter how hard she cried, her painting was submitted under Arianna's name.
"Please, you can't do this! I worked hard on this! This is mine! Give it back to me!" Leah shouted, banging against the door.
However, only Jenny's cold voice came from the outside.
"This is what you owe Arianna. If you weren't being so vile and vicious, my daughter could have participated with her own painting. Since you are being jealous, reap the consequences."
After that, Arianna pretended her wrist was injured from the fall and the effects stayed, preparing her from holding the brush. Along with that, the Xu Family saw the benefits of her paintings.
From then on, she was forced to paint only for the credit to be taken away by Arianna.
Leah took in a deep breath and replied, "I can't draw. My right hand is hurt."