Chapter 18: Only One Way To Find Out
At first, Violet thought she’d misheard him, but she didn’t even get the chance to ask when he began walking.
She followed, keeping a respectable distance between them. But her heart kept racing, various questions crossing her mind.
Leo was waiting?
She wasn’t fully convinced until the man stopped in front of a door and opened it. The room was elegant and dimly lit, with soft leather seating and a single round table set at its centre. In one of its two chairs sat a man, facing the door.
Relief washed over her, loosening the tight knot in her chest, though she kept her expression carefully composed.
The door clicked shut, leaving just the two of them in the room. Violet took off her sunglasses gracefully. Although her heart slammed against her chest and she felt her palms go damp with sweat, her entire demeanour remained calm and collected.
Leo rose to his feet as she began walking towards him. He looked every bit the wealthy, handsome, and cold man she remembered, sharp tailored suit, jaw set, eyes carrying that same guarded intensity that gave nothing away.
She gave him an easy smile as she got close. He pulled out a chair for her and she sat down. ’What a gentleman. One would never guess he’d end up killing his own brother.’
"We meet again." Violet said, her eyes pinned on Leo as he took his seat. There was a bottle of wine on the table and two glasses.
"Yes." Leo said, uncorking the wine. "I thought you weren’t going to come," he said.
"I arranged this, why would I miss it?"
Leo quietly studied her without giving a reply. Last night, he had directed Vincent to find her, because he’d grown impatient, he’d wanted to meet with her earlier than she’d arranged, but Vincent couldn’t find her.
He poured wine into her glass and his own. "You have information I want. If I pay, how can I be sure what you give me will actually be useful?" he asked.
"There’s only one way to find out."
Leo still looked guarded, but it wasn’t as strong as it had been the first time. Violet immediately thought back to the article she’d read yesterday. She knew he was desperate, on the verge of losing to his brother.
It was that desperation she intended to prey on. That was what would make him pay. She stopped herself from smiling; she didn’t want to celebrate too early.
If this hadn’t meant making or breaking his dream, he wouldn’t have been here at all. But at this point, securing a deal with Jill and Jones was his only remaining path to keeping his spot as heir. So, he picked up his phone and dialed Vincent’s number, which connected after a few rings.
He locked eyes with Violet as he spoke. "Send 30 million to Miss Kierra."
Violet shook her head. Leo lifted a brow, his hand still holding the phone to his ear.
"60 million." Violet said in a flat tone, not breaking eye contact.
"What?" Leo narrowed his eyes, something dark flashing through his gaze.
Violet didn’t let this deter her from what she was about to say. She kept a straight face as she took hold of the stem of her glass and slowly brought it to her lips.
She was in control of the situation, so why should she fold?
Leo was growing impatient, but he didn’t say anything, instead he watched her deliberate movements keenly.
"I said 60 million. That’s what you’ll have to pay before I tell you anything."
"But last time you said 30."
"That was two days ago. You’re a businessman, you don’t expect the price to stay the same." Her voice didn’t waver as she spoke, setting the glass back on the table.
Leo was a wealthy man, 60 million was an amount he could pay without batting an eye. Still, he hesitated.
"The ball is in your court, Mr. Kings. It turns out you’re not the only one who wants the Kings Estate to work with Jill and Jones." Her last statement was the icing on the cake.
She didn’t need to say more, her words had already achieved the intended effect.
Leo naturally assumed the other person was Frederick. That video she’d made with Lillian hadn’t been simple at all.
"Send Miss Kierra 60 million." he said into the phone. "Immediately," he added, and ended the call.
Violet gave him the account number she’d opened yesterday.
"I’ve done that, now, what’s the information?" Leo asked, his face turning rigid, his voice dangerous. It was as though he was daring her to say something useless.
"I haven’t seen the money yet." Violet replied. She wasn’t saying anything until she got the alert.
Leo’s lips ticked, but he understood, he was a businessman too.
Two minutes later, Violet’s phone dinged. She pulled it out and saw it was the alert she’d been expecting.
60 million had been wired into her account. She did the math in her head. This meant she now had 85 million.
Her lips shook as she tried to stifle a smile.
"Now. Let’s talk." Leo said, shifting into his professional tone.
Violet relaxed into her chair and returned her phone to her purse.
She brushed some strands of hair back, then tucked them behind her ear.
"The ultra-modern city project is set to commence in two months, and Jill and Jones has extended invitations to several companies, including Solace Group, Marchetti Holdings, and Bellview Estates. There are 10 companies in total involved, and the estimated cost for the completion of this city is 20 billion dollars.
Things were going well until one of the companies pulled out, bringing the number from 10 down to 9. Now there’s a spot open for one more. However, as you know, not every company is allowed to join. They all have to pass through me first, since my team is in charge of recruiting companies." Violet explained.
"Why me? I doubt you went to the auction to recruit companies." Leo’s voice was drenched in doubt.
Just then, Violet heard a chime, and a blue screen materialised in front of her.