Leo Gambino A Thousand Foes

016 The Chairman's Throne

Valery's face turned to ice. "What did you just say?"

She pinned Felicity with a glare so cold it could freeze blood. The fiery CEO was on the verge of exposing everything.

Valery desperately wanted to stick to these toxic nobodies. She wanted to reveal that Leonard was the new Chairman, elevated beyond their wildest imagination. Alternatively, she wished to put bullets in their heads.

However, from the corner of her eye, she caught her master's subtle head shake. The words died in her throat, and she swallowed her fury.

Victor seized Felicity's arm, his voice urgent. "Are you out of your mind, crazy woman! Apologize to Miss Frost right now. Do you even realize who she is?"

"Why should I?" Felicity snapped, already losing her senses. "I did nothing wrong! Why are you acting against me, too?"

Victor's face darkened, and he felt like slapping his fiancée silly. She was endangering his chances at securing a deal with the Eclipse Consortium by offending Valery.

If the CEO wished, she could destroy Langford Enterprises with a call. "Apologize to Miss Frost before you ruin everything!"

With a stinging cheek and a hurt ego, Felicity was in no mood to surrender. There is no way I'm not apologizing! For all we know, it's the truth! Leonard is a male escort!

SMACK!

Victor slapped her hard across the face. "Stop being stubborn, you stupid woman! What has possessed you?! Do you want me ruined?"

Tears stung Felicity's eyes as she clutched her burning cheek. However, the second strike on the face brought her back to her senses. She turned to Valery, her voice shaking.

"I'm… sorry… I don't know what possessed me."

"Hmph!" Valery scoffed. "I don't give a flying rat's ass about your apology or your existence. Return to your seats and keep your mouths shut. One more word out of place and both of you are banned permanently."

Victor lowered his head in shame. "Thank you, ma'am, for your generosity. We will behave."

He grabbed Felicity's arm and dragged her back to their seats.

Valery's gaze dropped to Leonard, and with a gesture, she said, "Sir, please follow me…"

However, the actual words she spoke were, "You! Follow me!"

The young man took the cue, stood, and walked out of the hall behind her.

The moment the doors closed, Simon, Victor, and Felicity exchanged glances, confused by the sequence of events.

"Is it possible that Miss Frost finally realized Leonard's crime was unforgivable and decided to punish him?" Victor thought aloud.

"Yeah, I agree. A powerful woman like her couldn't accept the truth in public," Felicity chimed in hoarsely, still rubbing her red cheeks. "I'm sorry for acting out. All I had to do was stay silent and wait for Leonard to be taken to task."

Victor nodded and held her hand. Their faces lit with savage glee. The sting of humiliation vanished, replaced by cruel satisfaction.

"Leonard brought this on himself," Felicity sneered. "What do you think she'll do to him?"

Her fiancé chuckled darkly. "We should ask Senior Vice President Mercer."

"Hmph!" Simon scoffed, recovering quickly. "You're right. Miss Frost probably wants to punish him privately for the Chairman's satisfaction."

"For daring to impersonate him, I doubt any of you will ever see Leonard again. Most people don't know this, but beneath CEO Valery Frost's calm surface is pure ruthlessness. That loser won't walk out alive."

Victor and Felicity cheered, their eyes gleaming with delight.

Inside the Chairman's private office, Valery's entire demeanor changed the instant the door shut. She bowed deeply to Leonard and gestured towards the grand chair behind the desk.

"Please grace your throne, sir. Apologies for behaving oddly out there."

Leonard nodded. Knowing Valery's loyalty and training, she had exercised great self-control. He was impressed.

The young man took the Chairman's seat with effortless grace, his legs crossed, radiating quiet nobility. For a brief second, Valery was dazzled. 'He's so princely,' she thought to herself.

"Send Simon in," Leonard's calm voice intruded into her thoughts.

She blinked in confusion."I don't understand, sir."

"I said… Send Simon in."

Valery's brows furrowed slightly, thinking such an action would be against his identity's secrecy, but she didn't question him. "Yes, sir."

She pressed the intercom button. "Tell Simon Mercer to report to the Chairman's office immediately."

Back in the main hall, Simon, Victor, and Felicity were deep in conversation about the partnership.

"Is the deal secured, Mr. Mercer?" Victor asked.

"Don't worry," Simon said confidently. "Nothing can go wrong at this point. I've recommended the Langford proposal for selection. The new Chairman will sign your proposal without hesitation."

The young man grinned and gripped Felicity's hand tightly, both already dreaming of the fruits. "I can't wait."

The surrounding guests watched him and Felicity with shameless envy.

With the Senior Vice President Chief Liaison Simon on his side, Victor's deal was practically sealed. None of them had the same level of access in the Eclipse Consortium.

Sophia also heard the exchange, and her shoulders drooped a little. This much was expected, but now her hopes were truly crushed.

Just then, Vice President Gregory Hale entered and approached Simon. "The CEO has asked you to report to the Chairman's office immediately."

"The Chairman is already in the office?" Simon exclaimed, rather too loudly. His words sent the hall into a frenzy.

The SVP fixed his tie quickly. "Why does Miss Frost want me in the Chairman's office? Is it about the partnership?"

"No idea," Gregory replied coldly and walked away.

Simon frowned at the man's attitude but said nothing. Once the deal was signed, Victor's father had promised him a cut of the profits.

He turned to the Langford heir with a smirk. "Everything is happening according to plan. After reading my recommendation, the Chairman is probably in a hurry to approve the partnership. Our success is a pen stroke away."

Victor balled his fists enthusiastically and beamed."My family will never forget this favor. You'll always be our most honored guest. Along with whatever my father has promised you."

Simon nodded and left at a brisk pace. He couldn't afford to keep the CEO and the Chairman waiting. In under five minutes, the executive lift opened, and he reached the Chairman's floor.

Taking a deep breath, he knocked softly.

"Come in," Valery responded.

Simon exhaled, opened the door, and stepped inside confidently. "Mr. Chairman. Welcome to—"

Cutting himself short, he froze at the doorway. The scene before him was unreal.

Inside the office, Valery stood respectfully before Leonard, pouring him tea. At the same time, the young man lounged in the Chairman's seat with crossed legs, radiating absolute authority.

Simon Mercer lost it. "You goddamn loser! What are you doing in the Chairman's seat? Security! Security!"

When nobody responded from the outside, he fumbled for his phone, ready to call for guards.

Leonard's lips twitched, and he almost chuckled aloud. Was the SVP of the Consortium so slow-witted? Even now, the man still didn't understand.

Valery's expression turned glacial. She set the teapot down with a sharp clink and approached Simon in a flash.

Before the man could react, her foot lashed out in a sharp kick, striking his shin hard. The impact threw him off balance and made him drop his phone.

As the device shattered, he fell staggering forward, his face twisted in pain.

"You fool!" Valery barked. "The Chairman of the Eclipse Consortium, Leonard Gambino, gave you a second chance, and you're still acting like a rabid dog?"

"You are moments away from complete annihilation! Kneel and apologize to him before you destroy what's left of your future!"

Simon's knees slammed to the floor before his mind could catch up to the revelation. His mouth hung open, his eyes wide with shock.

Leonard… was the new Chairman. The realization hit Simon like lightning. The truth had been staring at him all along. How could he have been so stupid?

Felicity and Victor had been thrown out of the lobby for offending Leonard. He held the highest-ranking black card in the Consortium. Valery had threatened to kill the guards for harassing him. Every piece suddenly clicked into place.

Cold sweat poured down Simon's forehead.

"I'm sorry, sir!" he muttered, feeling the urge to slap himself. "I'm such a fool! The biggest fool in the world!"

He crawled forward and pressed his forehead flat against the floor.

"Mr. Chairman! Mr. Leonard Gambino, sir! I failed to recognize you and dared to offend you. Please forgive me! I beg you!"