The Billionaire's Trials

Glasswares made clinking sounds as a loud laughter boomed in the hall every now and then. People were standing in pairs of two's and three's. Everyone is trying to build a social network.

Leo's breath was disgruntled as he stood in front of the huge entrance door. He couldn't find it in himself to remain calm no matter how he tried. He could hear loud laughter coming from inside.

He looked down at the rough but decent suit he was wearing, paired with black worn-out shoes that still looked presentable for tonight's events.

This will have to do. He took a step forward and the doors flew open. He wasn't prepared for the sudden opening cause he froze a little bit.

Everywhere quietened when the door flew open. People were anxiously looking at the direction of the door, wanting to see which distinguished business man or woman had arrived.

Leo was sure that he heard loud gasps when he walked in. He tried not to feel nervous at the questioning eyes on him or waver at the scorching looks directed at him.

He displayed the emotionless look he had mastered over the months and walked in slowly. He could hear them murmuring and whispering loudly while pointing at him.

As he walked forward, he could already guess the question that must be on their minds right now. They are probably wondering who invited him to the banquet.

Yes... That's why he is here. That is the main reason why he is here. He was in his old dingy apartment one afternoon when someone suddenly knocked.

He'd walked to the door to see who it was but the only thing that welcomed his presence was a small, gorgeously wrapped box.

Noting the soft texture and exquisite beauty of the box, he had known that whatever was in it must be something huge. But who sent it? Why did he/she send it?

He had spent the entire night trying to figure that out after reading the invite in the box. It even had his name on it so he knew it wasn't delivered to a wrong address.

But who sent it and why? No one had contacted him after what had happened to him. He himself spent days trying to think of how he got to that point.

He used to spend days in different mansions, changing cars like he was changing clothes, eating lavish dishes like he was having a feast and spending money like he was discarding papers.

But now? He has to manage a barely furnished dingy apartment in the slums, eat one meal per day, walk from the apartment to a building site where he struggled to get a few cents and save enough to pay his rent.

"Why is he here? Greene's security isn't reliable. How could they let a man like him come in?" Leo's thoughts were interrupted by what seemed like a whisper but was loud enough for him to hear.

He stopped and turned to his side. The blonde bimbo that had spoken was currently being scolded by her friend for saying that out loud. Leo fought an urge to roll his eyes and just advanced forward.

It's been so long that he had already forgotten how it felt to attend a banquet. The difference between his previous situation and his current situation is very noticeable.

Before, whenever he attends a banquet, he would have multiple, never ending people flocking around him but now... Not even a single person walked forward to talk to him. None of them had even reached out when the news of his downfall circulated.

None of the so-called friends he made, cared to help. When the wealth was still flourishing, he enjoyed it with friends but as soon as it was gone, not even a shadow appeared around him. They all deserted him and sucked up to those traitors instead!

Speaking of those traitors, Leo suddenly came to a stop and stared ahead of him. Standing a few meters away from him was a couple... Two people, he didn't expect to meet in this condition. Well, they had been the one to put him in this state when he least expected it.

His eyes flickered with disgust as he watched the lady wrap her hands around the man like an octopus. He tried to recollect how many times she had wrapped her hands round him like this in previous banquets and all he felt was disgust, anger... And just pure disgust.

His eyes steeled with anger and he tried to walk past them since it was inevitable to avoid them so why not face them now.

Just as he expected, they stopped him. "Leo, aren't you gonna greet your old friend?," Leo could hear his voice dripping of sarcasm.

He really didn't want to do this now when he has other better things to do but he guess he just has to. So he turned to the couple. Ignoring the lady, he answered the man,"Scott, I thought we'd already severed all ties between us when you took platinum away from me."

Leo had to stop himself from clenching his fists when he remembered what had been snatched away from him.

"You don't have to worry Leo," It was the lady that spoke instead. "Your company is in great hands. At least, it is doing better than when you were in charge."

Leo scrutinized her and wondered how come he never noticed how much of a bitch his ex wife was. Yes... This wretched woman standing opposite him in Scott arms was once his wife.

Leo could proudly say that the worst decision he had ever made in his life was to get married to Mandy. No... They didn't love each other. Love doesn't exist in the business world, does it?

They had only gotten married for business purposes. He never knew she would use any chance she got and run into his best friend... Ex-best friend's bed.

She didn't only cheat... She also helped the enemy to ruin him! "Over here everyone... The banquet is officially starting...," The microphone suddenly disrupted Leo's words.

He gave them a meaningful look and turned away. He has better things to do.