Leo Gambino A Thousand Foes

014 Imposter

Sophia's eyes carried no doubt. They flashed with unflinching courage.

"No thanks, Victor. I will choose integrity over your desperate bribes. But more importantly, I won't stand by while you humiliate an innocent man."

Victor's face flushed red with such public humiliation. Sophia rejected him yet again!

Fury twisted his features as he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a venomous hiss. "You'll regret this. Without a major partner like the Langfords, your precious company is already dead. I'll destroy you."

"How dare—"

Just then, Leonard's calm voice cut Sophia off. "I already said that the Eclipse Consortium will not cooperate with Langford Enterprises. If any company is about to collapse, it certainly won't be the Harrington Group."

There was a beat of stunned silence, after which Victor exploded into mocking laughter. The entire hall followed him, their voices thick with ridicule.

"There he goes again! Talking like he's the Chairman himself!"

"Who does this pauper think he is? King of the world?"

"There is a limit to being delusional, Leonard," Felicity joined in, shaking her head in mock pity. "Or have you finally lost your mind?"

Sophia turned towards Leonard, sensing his sincere goodwill. Yet, she still firmly believed the Eclipse Consortium deal with Victor was already sealed. It was far beyond anything this stranger could change.

The beauty leaned closer, whispering softly and kindly. "Please don't provoke him for my sake. You don't have to do this. You'll make it worse for yourself."

Leonard met her gaze steadily. "I'm not exaggerating. Believe me when I say you have nothing to worry about."

Though Sophia couldn't understand where his unshakable confidence came from, she felt inexplicably drawn to him. His words were like a warm protection blanket. "Thank you."

"The Chairman has arrived, and the CEO, Miss Valery Frost, will be accompanying him!" A loud announcement rang out on the speakers.

The crowd fell silent, their heads snapping toward the stage.

The name Valery Frost sent a ripple of murmurs throughout the room. If the Chairman was the untouchable peak of power, Valery was his merciless shadow, the one who executed his will without hesitation.

She was a woman both revered and feared, who could take down companies with a snap of her fingers.

"Valery is coming too?" someone muttered, his voice trembling.

"The Iron Lady of the Consortium…"

"She's just as terrifying as the Chairman. Some say she's even more ruthless and unforgiving."

"I've heard she destroys lives on a whim."

Murmurs of awe and dread rippled through the crowd like wildfire.

Just then, a middle-aged man stepped forward. His airs were such that they demanded commanding respect, and he seemed utterly unapproachable.

"It's Senior Vice President Director Simon Mercer!" Someone recognized him instantly.

Simon was a board member of the Eclipse Consortium, and thus a very high-ranking figure. He was higher placed than even Gregory Hale, who approved Leonard's card in the lobby.

A cold gleam flashed in Victor's eyes. It was the perfect timing to crush Leonard once and for all.

He strode straight to Simon without hesitation. Normally, he wouldn't dare approach someone so powerful, but this man was no stranger to the Langfords.

Victor's father was a good friend of his, and he favored the Langford collaboration. He had escorted him and Felicity back inside earlier using his powerful connections.

"Sir," Victor said, his voice laced with false concern. "Someone here is pretending to be the new Chairman of the Eclipse Consortium. How can a worthless nobody be allowed to defame him?"

Felicity also chimed in. "Yes, sir. He also assaulted guards outside and caused a scene. You should punish him immediately!"

Responding to Victor's accusations, many other guests voiced their support in righteous indignation.

"He needs to be taught a lesson!"

"Punish that pauper!"

"I feel unsafe with him around!"

"The Consortium's reputation is at stake!"

Watching the elite crowd turn into a mob, Simon's gaze turned icy. "Where is this imposter?"

All eyes locked on the young man with fresh disgust and mockery.

"Him!" Felicity pointed at Leonard with a satisfied smirk. "That guy!"

Simon's eyes landed on Leonard, who sat completely unbothered, his expression calm as if none of this concerned him.

Something about the young man's composure made Simon pause, but only for a heartbeat.

He motioned to the guards standing by. "Teach him a lesson!" he commanded coldly. "And throw him out!"

Sophia stepped forward to intervene. "Sir, this is a mistake. He is an innocent man."

Simon had respect for Sophia's father, but his daughter was too young to be taken seriously, especially since the crowd had already testified against Leonard.

"Don't come in the way or you'll get hurt!" he said, waving Sophia aside dismissively.

Several security guards rushed in, their expressions ruthless. One of them reached for his baton.

However, news had already spread that Leonard could fight well. He hesitated, then exchanged glances with his colleagues. With a chilling smirk, he drew a gun instead.

The metallic click of the safety being switched off echoed through the hall.

The air turned suffocating as the guests gasped and backed off.

"On your knees!" the guard ordered, aiming straight at Leonard's chest.

However, the young man remained motionless. He didn't even blink at the clear danger to his life.

The crowd erupted in murmurs. Some of them were thrilled that the cocky impostor was getting what he deserved. Others just stepped back warily, watching.

Victor sneered at Leonard. "Let's see how cocky you are now, you piece of trash!"

Felicity almost laughed aloud in glee. "This is the end for you, loser. Die–"

Suddenly, tiny red dots of light appeared on the guard's forehead. Then another. And another. On all of them.

His fellow guards pointed it out. All of them stiffened, their fingers trembling on their triggers as they realized what it meant.

These were sniper sights. A simple mistake would make them lose their heads.

The main doors slammed open with a forceful bang. A squad of men in tactical gear stormed in, their presence overwhelming and terrifying.

More appeared on the upper balconies—the source of the sniper lasers.

Leading them was a woman in a crisp, tailored suit, her cold gaze slicing through the room like a blade.

The entire hall froze.

She was the second-in-command of the Eclipse Consortium—the Chairman's right hand.

"CEO… Valery Frost!"

Every guest became rigid, afraid to breathe. Even Simon Mercer's arrogance crumbled under her presence.

Valery's eyes were cold enough to freeze blood. They locked onto the guards, still aiming at Leonard.

"Idiots! You dare point a gun at Mr. Leonard? Do you have a death wish?"