Leo Gambino A Thousand Foes

013 The Defender

Victor's chest puffed out with smug satisfaction as the crowd's admiration washed over him. He pasted a broad, almost maniacal grin on his face.

If arrogance had a human form, then it was Victor in a designer suit, preening like a peacock.

Felicity also beamed proudly beside him. She had chosen well. Victor wasn't just powerful, but also attracted popular praise from the public. It was a wise decision to kick out a worthless stray like Leonard.

The thought of her ex-boyfriend made her turn and shoot him with a seething glare.

"Do you see that, Leonard? This is what a real man looks like. Trash like you could never reach Victor's level in your entire life. Don't fool yourself that you compare yourself to us by sneaking in with a stolen card."

Leonard furrowed his brows for a fraction of a second. How had these two wormed their way back inside after being thrown out? Did they have someone on the inside?

He shrugged, completely indifferent to Felicity's insults. It made no difference what toxic gold-diggers like her said.

Victor railed on him in a superior tone. "Of course, he couldn't compare to us! He has to bark for scraps at the bottom of the table while I am on my way to be a king."

He made a fist and smirked dreamily. "Once the new Chairman of the Eclipse Consortium signs the deal, my family's status will skyrocket! The first thing I'll do after that is squash you like the bug you are!"

A soft chuckle escaped Leonard. In the sudden hush, the sound carried clearly across the hall.

Victor's face darkened. "What's so funny, you worthless brat? Has my resounding success made you delirious?"

Leonard shrugged again. "Aren't you celebrating too early? I can assure you the Chairman won't be signing any partnership with Langford Enterprises."

After he spoke, silence fell for a few seconds. Then the hall exploded with laughter.

"What did he just say?" one of the guests jeered, wiping tears from his eyes. "He thinks he can speak for the Eclipse Consortium?"

"Who does he think he is? The new Chairman?"

"He's so broke and desperate he's started having delusions," another one sneered.

"Maybe it makes him feel like a real man for once."

"Him? A man?" a woman scoffed. "He has no money, no status, and is now pretending to decide deals for the biggest conglomerate in the city! What a clown!"

The crowd began hissing insults, trying to tear Leonard down, roaring in laughter from all directions.

Felicity's shrill and hurtful voice sliced through the commotion, dripping with contempt. "Aren't you ashamed? How can you spout such nonsense just to feel important? Does it help you patch up that tiny ego of yours?"

Leonard had no intention to respond. There was no need, since they would learn the truth soon enough.

"Stop this!" a clear, feminine voice cut across the mockery. Every head turned in its direction.

A young woman stepped forward with angelic grace, her elegant black dress hugging her figure. Long dark hair bounced in soft waves over her shoulders. 

Bright, intelligent eyes and a determined expression made her the perfect blend of beauty and strength.

"Isn't she Sophia?" one of the guests murmured. "The Harrington heiress?"

"She's so gorgeous in person…"

Sophia Harrington, only twenty-two, already bore the full weight of her family's empire. The Harrington Group had once stood second only to the Eclipse Consortium in Nexus City, known for honest dealings and generous charity work. 

Six months ago, everything changed when her father, Gregory, fell terminally ill. 

Stocks plunged, suppliers abandoned them, key employees were poached, and their patents were leaked to rivals.

Sophia fought day and night to keep the company alive, refusing bribes or shortcuts in line with her father's strict no-corruption policy.

Yet without major financing from a giant like Eclipse Consortium, they had been forced to lay off hundreds of workers, and profits had fallen to zero. She was expecting to strike a deal with the Consortium to save her father's company.

Sophia stopped beside Leonard in support. "This is ridiculous. Why would you harass someone like this?"

"He's a loser who doesn't belong here, Miss Harrington!" someone from the crowd answered.

"Who makes you the judge, huh?" she fired back. "We're all here for business purposes. Why don't you keep your bullying to your own offices?"

Sophia's intensity and determination made several bullies back away. She bit her lip and turned towards Leonard. "These people are after you for no reason except their own small-mindedness. Don't mind them."

Leonard's eyes met hers. For the first time that evening, a flicker of genuine interest crossed his face. "I don't. But thanks."

Victor, standing not far from the scene, balled up a fist, his expression twisting with jealousy. Before Felicity became his girlfriend, he had coveted Sophia for months, only to be turned down again and again.

Seeing the most beautiful woman in Nexus City defend the very man he despised made his blood boil.

"Don't be fooled by this loser, Sophia," he warned, his voice laced with venom. "He's nothing but a useless parasite who survives by latching onto women."

Even Felicity felt awkward watching a beautiful woman beside Leonard. "If you aren't careful, he might trap you, too. He's just a construction worker, you know."

Sophia's gaze flicked between Victor and Leonard. She saw guile and arrogance in the former, and honesty and strength in the latter.

"His profession doesn't give you the right to embarrass him," she answered sincerely.

"Forget that!" Victor posed, stepping closer. "Have you forgotten your own company's crisis? Without a strong partner like Langford Enterprises, the Harrington Group will collapse within a month."

The beauty paused, her personal troubles overwhelming her for a second.

"As you can gauge from the crowd's response, the Chairman already favors me," Victor doubled down. "If you gain my favor, once I seal this major deal, I'll make sure you get a share in the benefits. What do you say?"