2025-05-05 21:52:29
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The coffee meeting
Leo pulled out his phone with trembling hands, staring at the embossed business card Barry had given him. The weight of the moment pressed down on him, his breath shallow as he turned the card between his fingers. The name Barry Sullivan gleamed under the dim light of the streetlights. After a deep breath, he dialed the number. The line rang once, then twice. Barry answered on the second ring, his voice smooth and composed, as if he had been expecting this call all along. "Leo," he said, the faintest hint of amusement in his tone. "I was wondering if you'd call." Leo's grip on the phone tightened. There was no warmth in Barry's voice, no brotherly affection—just the cool detachment of a man used to controlling every situation. It made Leo's skin prickle with unease. "We need to talk," Leo said, his voice tight, barely holding back the storm of emotions swirling inside him. "Now." There was a pause on the other end, deliberate and calculated. Then, Barry responded, h
Half brothers
Leo stiffened at the unfamiliar voice, his grief swallowed by surprise. He turned sharply, his red-rimmed eyes focusing on the well-dressed stranger standing behind him. The man's polished leather shoes gleamed against the damp grass, his tailored overcoat speaking of wealth Leo couldn't even fathom."Excuse me, you must be Leo, right?" the stranger repeated.Leo rose slowly from his crouched position, wiping his muddy hands on his trousers. "Who's asking?"The man offered a tight smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "My name is Barry Sullivan."Leo's breath caught in his throat. "Barry Sullivan?" he repeated, disbelief coloring his tone. "As in... the wealthiest man in the world?"Barry gave a slight shrug, as if embarrassed by the title. "Well, that's what the magazines call me, yes."For a long moment, Leo could only stare. The wind whistled between them, carrying the scent of freshly turned earth. Finally, he found his voice again. "What... what could the wealthiest man in
The funeral
Leo's footsteps echoed hollowly as he walked through the hospital corridors, each step heavier than the last. His chest felt tight with an unnameable dread, the kind that settles in your bones when you know the world is about to end. When he reached Dr. Paul's office, his hand hovered for a moment before knocking - that brief hesitation where part of him already knew, already wanted to turn back before hearing the words that would change everything."Come in," came Dr. Paul's voice from within.The door creaked open to reveal the doctor seated behind his desk, his usually warm eyes shadowed with something Leo couldn't - didn't want to - recognize. "Good evening, Dr. Paul," Leo said, his voice sounding strangely detached even to his own ears. "I came as soon as I got your message."Dr. Paul gestured to the chair across from him. "Please, sit down, Leo. We need to talk."That phrase - 'we need to talk' - landed like a physical blow. Leo's mouth went instantly dry, his tongue stickin
A friend
The next day, after a hard day at work, Leo took the back door into Iris’s apartment, his footsteps quiet as he made his way toward the living room. "I'm home," he called softly. "Iris, where are you?" As he approached, he heard voices—one of them Iris’s, pleading with someone. Leo hesitated, then concealed himself just outside the doorway, peering into the living room. Seated regally on the sofa, her legs crossed with cold elegance, was Madam Beatrix. Iris knelt before her, her head bowed—a tradition in their family when begging for a favor from its matriarch. "Grandmother," Iris said, her voice trembling, "please, I beg you… save Leo’s mother." Madam Beatrix’s sharp eyes narrowed. "You know exactly why I refused to help him. I made him an offer, and he rejected it." "Grandmother, don’t you understand love?" "No, I don’t," Madam Beatrix snapped. "Do you think I loved your grandfather? Love is meaningless. Power, status, legacy—those matter." "But—" "Enough," Madam
Iris
Leo rode downtown to the city's hospital in his beat up scooter. It was raining heavily but Leo didn't care. He felt very hopeless.As soon as he arrived at the gates of the hospital, someone came running towards him, bearing an umbrella. "Leo," the lady called, shielding him with her umbrella. "Why are you outside in the rain. You'll catch a cold. Come on in."Leo glanced up to meet the beautiful face of his beloved wife, Iris as she led him inside the hospital lobby. Iris was a fallen angel of beauty. Her long hair were jet-black, silky and smooth. Skin as flawless as a dove. Yet, it was her eyes that set her apart from other women. Emerald green eyes, a rare eye colour to see nowadays. This woman was reputably the most beautiful woman in Jade city, and yet she was married to him. The poorest man in Jade city. "I saw your grandmother just as we planned," he began.Iris helped to dry Leo's wet hair with a dry towel. "Let me guess, she turned you down, didn't she?" Iris asked
Leo
Barry arrived back at his mansion, rushing in like a madman. Sebastian stood waiting for him to take his coat. "Sebastian," Barry said, his voice firm, "pack my bags. I'm leaving immediately." Sebastian raised an eyebrow slightly. "Very well, sir. Might I inquire as to your destination?" Barry smirked, a hint of bitterness in his tone. "You wouldn’t believe it if I told you. I’m going to rescue my half-brother—the one my pathetic father abandoned years ago." Sebastian’s expression remained neutral. "I see. Well, do you have a lead?" Barry nodded. "Yes. Jade City." Without hesitation, he continued, "I need you to remain here. If Veronica returns home with Adam from their visit, deliver a message to her. Tell her I’ll explain everything when I return." Sebastian gave a slight bow, his voice calm and measured. "Very well, sir."Barry ran his palms over his face. He couldn't believe he was actually going to do this.He was going to save his half-brother, Leo.* * * * "Madam
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