After the incident in the lobby, Chloe Briggs decided that Leo's simple appearance would cause more problems and she wasn't even in the mood to attend to such minor things. So to prevent further misunderstandings from people like her secretary, she took him to an exclusive tailor.
Within hours, he was fitted in a perfectly tailored, elegant black suit that transformed him from an unassuming man into a figure of quiet power and command. The clothes did not make the man, but they certainly made others stop and look. She even found herself staring for longer than she should.
On the way to the charity gala in her luxury car, Chloe handed Leo a heavy, ornate invitation. It was crafted from thick, creamy cardstock, embossed with intricate gold foil and bearing the exclusive Briggs Corp seal. It looked nothing like the standard invitations.
"This is a VVIP pass," she explained respectfully. "It is reserved only for our most honored guests. It will grant you access to everything without the usual hassle."
Leo took the card, feeling its weight and quality. "Thank you," he said politely. "I understand that just a regular invitation to this event is extremely difficult to obtain."
A small, knowing smile touched Chloe's lips. "Well, that's true but that is only for small-time people who must scramble for status. For a truly honored guest like you, the best should be presented personally."
Their conversation was suddenly cut short by a loud BANG and a violent jolt. The car swerved before the driver expertly regained control and pulled over to the shoulder. A rear tire was completely flat.
Before anyone could react, the screech of tires filled the air. Three dark, unmarked cars swiftly surrounded Chloe's vehicle, blocking any escape route. Doors flew open, and a large group of rough-looking men with a gang's insignia on their jackets climbed out. Their leader, a man with a scarred face, tapped on Chloe's window.
"Ms. Briggs," he said, his voice gruff. "You need to come with us. Now."
Chloe's face remained a cold mask, though her mind raced. "I didn't expect your boss to be so bold, threatening my personal safety directly on the road," she stated, her hand moving slowly and secretly toward a small compartment near her seat where she kept a concealed pistol. Because of how frequent the attacks had been, she'd gotten her self a gun for protection.
As the gang members began to crowd closer, Leo placed a calming hand on her arm, stopping her reach for the weapon. He opened his car door and stepped out, placing himself squarely between Chloe and the threatening men. He stood, quietly staring at them before finally speaking.
"You have one chance," Leo said, his voice low and steady, carrying an unexpected authority. "Leave now, voluntarily. Or you will face the consequences and believe me, it's not going to be pretty."
The gang members stared for a second before bursting into loud, mocking laughter. "Who is this pretty boy? Think you're a hero?" the leader sneered. "Get your pretty butt inside and allow us take who we came for else you'll face the consequences for interfering."
Leo shook his head, kissing his teeth. He really did not want to mess up this suit. "One last chance."
"Get out of the way." The leader yelled as he threw the first punch. Leo moved faster than anyone could follow. He sidestepped the blow, grabbed the man's arm, and used his own momentum to slam him into the side of the car. The fight was over in a matter of seconds. Leo moved with brutal, efficient precision. a whirlwind of controlled motion. He disarmed one man, broke another's nose with a sharp jab, and swept the legs out from under a third. In less than a minute, all the gang members were on the ground, groaning in pain, bloodied and defeated.
Leo stood over their leader, his shoe pressing down on the man's chest. "We can either do this the easy way, or...." he twisted his foot, drawing a painful groan from him. "....the hard way. What's it going to be?"
"What do you want?"
"Who sent you?" he demanded, his voice leaving no room for refusal.
The man, choking and terrified, gasped out an answer. "Darwin... Darwin enterprise! It was Mr. Evans from Darwin enterprise! He paid us! Please, don't hurt me anymore!"
Leo stepped back, letting the man scramble away with his injured crew. They piled into their cars and sped off, leaving behind the smell of rubber and fear.
Chloe got out of the car, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and awe. She looked from the retreating cars to Leo, who stood perfectly calm, not a hair out of place despite the violent display. Her earlier doubts vanished completely, replaced by a surge of gratitude and newfound respect. Her father had not made a mistake. He had found her a truly reliable and formidable protector.
"You're… incredible," she breathed, a genuine, warm smile gracing her features for the first time. She looked at him not just as a hired helper, but with a spark of active interest that made his own heart give an unexpected flutter.
As their driver quickly changed the tire, Chloe's demeanor became more engaged. "When we arrive at the venue," she said, her tone now warmer and more collaborative, "I will need to network with various people first. I may have to separate from you for a little while. Please, use the time to observe the different types of people there. I will call you over when it is time to select the partners. I hope that won't be too much of a hassle for you."
"It won't. I'll be ready when you are."