In the present moment, if Nelsoncked a smug smile lingering on his lips, Leni would have been skeptical that he had intentionally ced his foot to provoke her.


    Reacting swiftly, she grabbed a handful of tissues from the table and offered them to Lucas, “My apologies, sir. Please forgive me,” she pleaded, visibly terrified.


    Gently, Lucas wiped the water from his face and suit, “It’s alright, my dear. These things happen, I’ll just clean up,” he reassured her with a soft smile, preparing to stand up.


    “What do you mean, it’s expected, Mr. Lucas?” Nelson interrupted, “She has wronged my client and must be held ountable!” he forcefully dered, his tone sending shivers down Leni’s spine.


    “But it’s not my fault, sir. If your foot wasn’t in my way, this wouldn’t have happened,” she stated firmly, maintaining eye contact.


    Nelson’s mouth dropped open in shock as he stood up, “So now you’re trying to shift the me onto me, is that it? And you still have the audacity to talk back,” he seethed.


    Leni didn’t continue to stare at him, but she also didn’t back down.


    The intense urge she felt to harm this man was unlike anything she had ever experienced, not even when her ex-boyfriend heartlessly broke up with her.


    “Mr. Carter,” Lucas attempted to reason with Nelson, but he simply waved a dismissive hand.


    “I assure you, Mr. Lucas, I will handle this situation. No one can disrespect my people and get away with it,” he dered, staring down Leni with a piercing gaze.


    Before Leni could fullyprehend his words, she heard him ordering the presence of the manager from a nearby staff member.


    “Fetch me your superior now!”


    Leni’s heart raced as she attempted to speak, but found herself at a loss for words.


    Just then, the manager arrived at the scene and was taken aback to see Nelson in their cafe.


    She recognized him immediately, as his corporation was located just across from their establishment, and he was frequently featured on business channels.


    Looking from a distraught Leni to an enraged Nelson, she inquired, “Is there a problem, Mr. Carter?”


    “Are you the manager?” Nelson asked sharply.


    Mrs. Barbara nodded hastily.


    “Do you even know how to do your job?” Nelsonmbasted the manager. “How can you hire individuals with such ipetence? Do you realize what this clumsy girl did to my client here?” he demanded, gesturing towards a damp Lucas.


    Mrs. Barbara struggled to find the right words when Leni interjected, “Please believe me, Mrs. Barbara, I didn’t do it on purpose.”


    “Do you know who I am?” Nelson ignored Leni and turned to face the manager sternly.


    “If you don’t want me to escte this matter, then take the necessary action.”


    At his words, Leni’s chest constricted with intense pain and she fought the urge to rub the ufortable spot between her breasts.


    “I apologize, Mr. Carter, but how would you like this to be resolved?” Mrs. Barbara inquired politely.


    “By terminating her employment,” his deep, husky voice dered proudly, chin lifted in superiority.


    Leni’s breathing stopped in an instant. She couldn’t dispel the raw, agonizing feeling that consumed her like an open wound that refused to heal. She felt exposed and vulnerable.


    “You’ve gone too far, Mr. Carter,” Lucas couldn’t help but raise his voice. Now, he was convinced that Nelson was indeed a heartless man.


    “The youngdy rectified her error and expressed remorse immediately. What more do you want?” he exploded in anger, pinning Nelson with an intense gaze.


    “If a mere apology can rectify all mistakes, Mr. Lucas, then why do we even havews and enforcement in this country?” Nelson inquired casually, fiddling with his nails.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    M Lucas’s nostrils red at Nelson’s remark, visibly trembling with rage. “I cannot believe this, Mr. Carter, and I regret to inform you that I cannot align myself with someone like you,” he dered.


    Afterward, Lucas retrieved a significant sum of cash from his wallet and mmed it on the table to pay for his meal, before storming out of the cafe.


    Nelson remained unfazed, surprising Leni, the manager, and the small crowd observing the altercation.


    He looked towards Mrs. Barbara and asked, “So now that I have lost a client, what will be the consequences?”


    Mrs. Barbara appeared dejected and nced sadly at Leni, whose eyes were beginning to well up with tears.


    “You have to trust me, Mrs. Barbara. I did not intend for this to happen,” Leni’s voice broke as she struggled to hold back her tears.


    “I’m sorry, Leni, but there is nothing I can do. Please leave now,” the manager responded, her tone filled with resignation.


    Leni’s shoulders slumped as if her world hade crashing down. She took a quick nce at Nelson and saw nothing but a smug expression on his face.


    “Feeling satisfied now?” she directed her question at Nelson.


    “Yes, I can see how pleased you are to have me fired, but this is not the end, Mr. Catarrh,” she stepped closer, locking eyes with him. “We’ve only just begun,” she gritted through her teeth, a determined glint in her eyes.


    Mrs. Barbara and the other staff members were stunned and could not help but murmur among themselves, “Did they know each other before?”


    “And you should also know that I am more than ready for this…” Nelson retorted, a small smirk ying at the corner of his lips. “My dear wife, archeopteryx,” he muttered with a sly wink before turning his back and striding away.


    ——-


    “How can you eat while your wife is still not home, Nelson?” Susan’s sharp voice pierced the air as soon as she entered the dining room and saw her son feasting.


    Nelson looked up from his meal and met his mother’s gaze. “She’s not a child, Mother. She’lle back when she’s ready,” he replied nonchntly.


    Susan’s anger rose, and she strode over to the table, banging her hand on it and causing ketchup to stter everywhere. “What’s gotten into you, Nelson? You’re bing more and more unruly,” she scolded.


    “The girl told me this morning that she had to urgently meet someone and would be back soon. But now it’s 9 pm, and she hasn’t returned. And you can just sit here without even calling her?” Susan’s frustration seeped through her words.


    Nelson couldn’t contain hisughter. “Seriously? Is that what she told you?” Susan’s tension eased a bit, knowing that her son seemed to know Leni’s whereabouts.


    “Did she tell you where she went and when she’ll be back?” she asked.


    But before Nelson could respond, the distinct sound of the main entrance door opening could be heard.


    “I think she’s home,” Susan said, her voice softened. She quickly left the room to greet Leni.


    And there she was, Leni. She looked as though she had been crying all day, her eyes red as if soaked in paint. Susan’s heart ached at the sight of her. “What happened, my dear? Why do you look so broken?” she asked with concern.


    Pain pierced Leni’s heart as she saw the motherly love Susan had for her.


    She had expected Susan to bombard her with questions about her whereabouts all day. “I’m sorry for worrying you, Mom. I just want to sleep now,” Leni said, her fatigue evident.


    Susan’s understanding nod brought a faint smile to her face. ”


    Just don’t hesitate to tell me anything, okay?” Susan reminded her, and she nodded in response before slowly making her way upstairs.


    With unstoppable tears streaming down her face, Leni cursed her bitter life inwardly as she sprawled the bedding on the floor.


    After shey down and covered herself, the sound of the door opening caught her attention and she hastily wiped her face.


    “Hey, where did you go after getting fired?” came Nelson’s gruff voice.


    Leni remained unresponsive,pletely ignoring him.


    “Do not even think about anything else. I am only inquiring for the sake of my mother. She wouldn’t stop fretting over you, which I do not appreciate at all,” Nelson continued speaking nheless.


    “Her love, care, and concern are all reserved for me, and if I am to share, it will definitely not be with a foul-mouthed woman like you, is that clear?”


    Nelson disliked the way shepletely ignored him as if he wasn’t standing there and conversing, but he feltpelled to finish his statement.


    “I know you are not asleep and can hear me clearly. Let tonight be thest time you worry my mother, do you understand?” He hardened his voice even more.


    However, the only response he received was Leni shifting positions and shutting her eyes.


    “Stupid girl,” Nelson hissed in frustration before striding towards the bathroom.