Leo Gambino A Thousand Foes

012 Kicked Out

Shock rippled across Victor and Felicity's faces. They stared in utter disbelief as Gregory Hale, one of the most powerful Vice Presidents of the Eclipse Consortium, bowed deeply before Leonard and apologized with such respect.

How was this possible? That worthless orphan was being honored? The pathetic man they had left for dead just days ago?

"No… This can't be happening," Felicity whispered, her voice trembling with denial. She refused to accept what her eyes were showing her.

"Mr. Hale," Victor stepped forward boldly, his tone laced with skepticism. "You must be mistaken. Leonard is nothing but a pathetic construction worker. There's no way he could possess a genuine highest-level black card. This doesn't make any sense!"

The surrounding guests remained silent, but their expressions clearly echoed the same doubt. Many believed the Vice President had either confused the man or misidentified the card.

Gregory's face darkened instantly. He turned his icy gaze toward the arrogant couple. These two had already caused enough trouble, and now they dared question his judgment?

"Are you doubting me?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Victor and Felicity faltered for a split second under his glare, but their arrogance quickly resurfaced. They couldn't let Leonard have another win!

"Yes, we are!" Felicity snapped defiantly. "No offense, Mr. Hale, but perhaps your eyes are failing you in your old age. I personally dumped Leonard recently because he was a complete nobody with nothing to his name. How could trash like him possibly own such a card with such high security clearance?"

Gregory's face flushed red with fury. "I have already confirmed it—the card is authentic. Whether you dumped him or not is your own misfortune, not mine."

His voice turned frigid. "Both of you have insulted a highly distinguished guest of the Eclipse Consortium. Your presence is no longer welcome here. Get out. Now."

Victor's face contorted in rage. "You can't throw me out! I am a VIP guest of the Consortium. A mere Vice President like you has no right to kick me away!"

Gregory ignored him completely. His cold eyes shifted to the security guard whom Leonard had earlier sent flying. No words were needed.

The guard understood instantly and marched straight toward Victor and Felicity. "Will you leave on your own," he said coldly, "or do you need assistance?"

The same guard who had obeyed Victor's orders moments ago was now turning against him. The irony was thick.

"I am a VIP member!" Victor roared, his voice echoing through the lobby. "You can't do this to me!"

The guard didn't hesitate. He signaled his men. "Escort them out. Do it forcefully if necessary."

Several guards immediately moved in. Despite Victor's loud protests and threats, they paid him no attention, dragging the furious pair towards the exit like common troublemakers.

Outside the grand gates, Victor was seething with humiliation and rage. He snatched out his phone and dialed his father immediately. The call connected after one ring.

"Dad! I've just been thrown out of the Eclipse Consortium gala!"

"What?!" His father's furious voice boomed through the speaker. "Who dared to do that?!"

"It was that old bastard Gregory Hale," Victor spat venomously. "Dad, you have to use your connections, especially with Senior Vice President Simon Mercer. I need to get back inside right now."

"Once the deal is secured, I'll make sure that old fool pays dearly for this insult!"

"Calm down, down," his father assured him before hanging up. "I'll contact Simon immediately.

Felicity, standing beside him, asked anxiously, "What did he say?"

"He's reaching out to Simon," Victor replied, puffing out his chest with renewed confidence. "We'll be back inside soon enough."

Barely a minute later, Victor's phone rang again. It was his father. "Simon wants you to call him directly."

Victor quickly dialed Simon Mercer's number. The line was picked up almost instantly. "Victor?" the SVP's voice came through.

"Yes, it's me, sir," Victor said hurriedly. He recounted the entire humiliating incident, worried it might jeopardize their important business deal.

Simon listened quietly, then spoke with calm authority after a short pause. "Stay right there. I'll send someone to escort you and your fiancée back inside."

A wide, triumphant grin spread across Victor's face. "Thank you, sir."

He ended the call and turned to Felicity, who was visibly excited. "He's sending someone to bring us back in."

Meanwhile, inside the luxurious halls of the Eclipse Consortium headquarters, Leonard had entered quietly. His expression remained calm and unreadable as he moved through the opulent space.

"Did you hear? The Consortium has a new Chairman who's supposed to appear today."

"Yes! Everyone's buzzing about it. His approval is needed for a major partnership deal. I wonder which company he'll favor."

Leonard ignored the excited chatter and scanned for a quiet spot. Suddenly, a loud voice cut through the noise.

"Wait… Isn't that Felicity's ex-boyfriend? The construction worker? She posted about him on social media."

All eyes turned toward him instantly. "It really is him! What is a nobody like him doing here?"

"This is an event for the elite. He must be here to beg for scraps."

Laughter spread through the crowd.

"Or maybe he's hoping to latch onto another rich woman. Such a pathetic leech."

"Who would even want someone Felicity already discarded?"

The mockery grew louder, filled with ridicule and contempt. Leonard's face showed no reaction whatsoever. He remained completely unfazed, located an empty seat in the corner, and sat down calmly.

Just then, the main doors opened once more. Victor and Felicity strode back in with renewed confidence, escorted by a high-ranking staff member.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. "It's Victor Langford!" a young woman gasped in admiration.

"He looks so elegant and powerful. With his family's connections, he's definitely going to secure the major partnership."

Murmurs of agreement and admiration filled the hall as all attention turned toward the couple.

"Obviously! Who else would the new Chairman choose if not the Langford family?"