M had no intention of causing a scene on the street over such a trivial matter.
After taking the photo, she grabbed Miranda''s arm and headed toward the car parked across the street, ready to leave.
But as soon as they stepped out of the bar, they were stopped.
Blocking their path was a young man with a stern, sharp face, dressed in a crisp ck suit that entuated his tall andmanding presence.
M recognized him immediately.
Leonard, Lysander''s personal aide, had been sponsored by Montgomery Holdings since childhood and had been chosen in high school to shadow Lysander. He was fiercely loyal and the most trusted person in Lysander''s inner circle.
Leonard was known for his aloof demeanor; he only ever heeded Lysander''s words, making him appear almost inhuman.
M didn''t have the best impression of him.
His presence now, coupled with Lysander''s earlier expression, signaled trouble. Instinctively, M tightened her grip on her phone.
"Ma''am, please hand over your phone," Leonard requested, his face an emotionless mask as he extended a hand toward M.
M remained silent, but she had no intention ofplying. She turned slightly, ncing in Lysander''s direction.
He was engrossed in an intimate conversation with Giselle, his face disying a tenderness M had never witnessed before.
Not wanting to see more, M diverted her gaze back to Leonard, her expression now icy. "And if I refuse?"
"Please don''t make this difficult for me," Leonard replied, his tone as cold and mechanical as a machine programmed without emotion. "And don''t make it difficult for yourself."
It was a thinly veiled threat.
"What''s that supposed to mean?" Miranda interjected, stepping protectively in front of M. "Are you really going to strong-arm us in public? Is there now in your world?"
Leonard studied Miranda''s face for a moment before releasing a stream of information, "Miranda, an attorney with six years, five months, and eighteen days of practice, specializing inmercial litigation, intellectual property cases, and corporate legal services. Currently with Harding & Cole Legal, the top-ranked firm in the country."
He paused briefly, then continued, "As it happens, Montgomery Holdings has a significant partnership with Harding & Cole Legal. Ms. Wayne, I assume a prestigious firm like yours won''t be short on talentedwyers to rece you."
Miranda turned pale, rendered speechless.
The implication was clear: if she intervened, her career could be at risk. With Montgomery Holdings'' influence, they could pressure Harding & Cole Legal to cklist her from the industry.
But her best friend was being threatened right in front of her eyes!
"Miranda, stay calm," M urged, taking a deep breath to quell her anger. She forced a reassuring smile, gently pushing Miranda toward the car.
"Wait for me in the car. I''ll handle this ande find you. Don''t worry."
If this incident ruined her friend''s career, M knew she''d regret it forever.
Yet Miranda couldn''t help but worry.
The fact that Leonard dared to confront M, Lysander''swful wife, so openly indicated Lysander''s tacit approval.
Such cold-heartedness.
How could she leave M alone in this situation? What if things escted and they resorted to force?
Just then, Leonard raised his hand again, blocking Miranda''s path. "I''m afraid Ms. Wayne can''t leave either. Her phone needs to be checked as well."
M''s restrained fury finally erupted, her voice tinged with anger. "What does she have to do with this?! I want to talk to Lysander myself!"
She attempted to bypass Leonard and approach the couple, who were still engaged in their pleasant conversation.
Leonard frowned, raising his arm to block her path at shoulder level without actually touching her.
A facade of politeness.
M let out a derisiveugh, tried to sidestep but failed, then pushed against him,
only to stumble backward a few steps, her shoulder de ring with pain.
"I''ve told you, don''t make this difficult for yourself," Leonard said, his frown deepening. "This isn''t worth it."