Chương 4: Confrontation

The night felt colder than usual as Isabella stood outside the towering building that housed King Enterprises. The wind whipped around her, biting at her skin, but she barely noticed. Her mind was too consumed with the upcoming confrontation, the revelations from her father still ringing in her ears.

Leon King had crossed a line—no, his father had. And now it was her responsibility to set things straight. She wasn't sure what she would say, but she knew one thing for certain: this wasn't just about business anymore. It was personal. The ghosts of the past haunted them both, and she wasn't going to let Leon manipulate her without consequences.

Inside the building, the sleek glass doors slid open as she approached. The lobby was dimly lit, with only a few late-night workers lingering at their desks. Isabella's heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she made her way to the private elevator reserved for Leon's office. Her heart raced with every step, but she pushed the feeling aside, steeling herself for the battle ahead.

As the elevator doors closed behind her and the car began its smooth ascent, Isabella's mind replayed the last few weeks. Every interaction with Leon, every clash they had shared, now felt tainted. All this time, he had been hiding the truth. He had known their families' history, yet he had still come after her, pretending it was just business.

When the elevator doors opened with a quiet ding, she stepped out onto the executive floor. The corridor leading to Leon's office was eerily silent, the polished floors gleaming under the low lighting. She took a deep breath before walking toward the heavy double doors at the end of the hall.

Without bothering to knock, Isabella pushed the doors open and strode into the office.

Leon was seated behind his large mahogany desk, his sharp blue eyes immediately locking onto hers as she entered. He looked calm—too calm, considering what she was about to confront him with. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he had run his hands through it in thought, but his expression was impassive. A hint of surprise flickered in his gaze, though, as she closed the door behind her with a firm push.

"Miss Harrington," Leon said smoothly, leaning back in his chair. "This is quite a late visit. What can I do for you?"

Isabella didn't bother sitting down. She remained standing in the center of the room, her eyes narrowed as she stared him down.

"We need to talk," she said coldly.

Leon raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips. "So you mentioned on the phone. I assume this isn't just a social call?"

Isabella's hands balled into fists at her sides. "You know why I'm here, Leon."

His expression didn't change, but she saw a flicker of something—maybe unease—flash in his eyes.

"Enlighten me," Leon said, his voice still infuriatingly calm.

Isabella took a step closer, her pulse pounding in her ears. "My father told me everything. About your father. About the betrayal."

Leon's calm facade finally cracked. His eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched tightly. For a moment, he said nothing, just staring at her with that icy gaze that had unnerved her from the beginning.

"Ah," he finally said, his voice low. "So you know."

"Yes, I know," she snapped. "I know that your father destroyed my family's business. That he was the reason my mother died. And yet, here you are, trying to do the same thing all over again. Was that your plan all along, Leon? Revenge?"

Leon's face hardened, his cool demeanor falling away as he stood up from his desk. He took a step toward her, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Isabella's breath caught in her throat, but she didn't back down. "Then tell me, Leon. Tell me the truth. What is this really about?"

For a long moment, there was only silence between them. The tension in the room was palpable, thick like a storm about to break. Finally, Leon let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair.

"You want the truth?" he said, his voice cold and cutting. "Fine. Yes, my father and your father had their history. And yes, I'm here to take what was taken from us. But don't for a second think that I'm doing this for him."

Isabella's brow furrowed, confusion creeping into her anger. "Then why?"

Leon's eyes flashed with something raw, something dark. "Because I won't let anyone—especially you—stand in my way. Your father stole from my family, ruined us. I had to watch him rise while my father fell. I swore I would get everything back, and that's exactly what I'm doing. But this isn't about revenge. It's about survival."

Isabella stared at him, her heart racing. His words hit her like a punch to the gut. She had expected him to deny it, to deflect, but instead he had laid everything bare. And yet, despite the anger and betrayal she felt, there was something else—a twisted sense of understanding. Leon wasn't just some ruthless businessman; he was a man driven by the same demons she was.

"You think you're justified?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief. "You think that gives you the right to come after me, to destroy everything my family has built?"

Leon stepped closer, his gaze burning into hers. "I don't need your permission. And I won't apologize for doing whatever it takes to get what I want."

Isabella's chest tightened, her emotions swirling in a confusing mess. She hated him for what he was doing, for the lies and manipulation. But at the same time, she couldn't deny the pull between them, the fire that had sparked from their very first encounter.

"You're a bastard," she spat, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leon's lips curled into a dark, humorless smile. "And yet, you're still standing here."

Isabella's breath hitched in her throat. He was right. Despite everything, she was still here, still drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain. It terrified her, but it also thrilled her.

Before she could respond, Leon closed the distance between them, his body looming over hers. She could feel the heat radiating off him, the tension crackling in the air between them.

"I'm not the enemy you think I am, Isabella," he murmured, his voice low and rough. "But if you want to keep fighting me, then by all means—do your worst. Just know that I won't back down. Not for you. Not for anyone."

Isabella's heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in short, shaky bursts. She should have slapped him, pushed him away, but instead she found herself frozen, her eyes locked on his.

And then, without warning, Leon reached out, his hand brushing against her cheek. The touch was electric, sending a shockwave through her entire body. She should have pulled away, but she didn't. She couldn't.

"You think you know me," Leon whispered, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. "But you don't."

His lips were inches from hers, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Isabella's mind screamed at her to run, to get as far away from him as possible. But her body betrayed her, leaning into his touch, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and desire.

Before either of them could move, a sharp knock echoed through the office door.

Leon's hand dropped from her face, and he turned toward the door, his expression hardening once more.

"Come in," he called, his voice cold again.

The door opened, and a man stepped inside. Isabella recognized him as one of Leon's senior advisors. His eyes flicked between them, sensing the tension in the room.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, sir," the man said, his voice cautious. "But there's something you need to see."

Leon shot Isabella a glance before turning back to the man. "What is it?"

The advisor handed him a tablet, and Leon's eyes narrowed as he scanned the screen. His jaw clenched, and a muscle in his cheek twitched with barely contained fury.

"Get out," Leon ordered, his voice dangerously low.

The advisor nodded quickly and left the room without another word.

Isabella watched Leon's reaction closely, her curiosity piqued. "What's going on?"

Leon didn't answer right away. His eyes were still fixed on the tablet, his expression darkening with every passing second.

And then, he turned to her, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made her heart stop.

"We've got a problem."

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