The amnesia, his obsession

Chapter 28: Power play

The silence after Victoria left didn't last long.

Because peace... was never meant for them.

The next morning—The entire city woke up to chaos.

"Breaking News: Victoria's Group Under Internal Conflict—Mysterious Share Movements Detected."

Isabella stared at the screen, her expression unreadable.

Behind her, Leonard stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, his voice cold and controlled.

"Lock down all external transfers," he ordered.

"I want every transaction traced within the hour."

He ended the call and turned, their eyes met, no panic, no fear, just understanding.

"She has started," Isabella said quietly.

Leonard nodded.

"Good for he."

That caught her off guard.

Instead of tension— A slow, dangerous smile appeared on his lips.

"Then we end it properly." He continue

Within hours—Everything moved fast, precise.

A convoy of black luxury cars lined up outside the mansion.

Staff moved quickly

Assistant, security, executives.

Everything was prepared.

Isabella stepped out, dressed in a sharp white suit, elegance wrapped in authority.

Leonard followed shortly after, adjusting his cufflinks, his presence alone commanding silence.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

Leonard glanced at her.

"To remind people who we are."

Minutes later—The roar of a private jet engine filled the air.

Inside— luxury stretched endlessly.

Soft leather seats, crystal glasses.

The quiet hum of power.

Isabella walked in slowly, taking it in.

"You planned this fast," she said.

Leonard poured a drink calmly.

"I don't react."

He handed her the glass."I dominate."

Her lips curved slightly.

That was the Leonard she knew.

"Where?" she asked again.

"Monaco."

Her brows lifted slightly.

Now that— Was a statement.

Monaco wasn't just a destination.

It was power, money, influence.

A place where deals shaped empires and today—They were walking in together.

Hours later—The jet landed.

They drive to the location.

The sun reflected off the ocean, yachts lining the harbor like symbols of wealth and control.

Luxury cars waited.

Security already in position.

By the time they arrived at the venue—

The entire elite circle was already gathered.

A high-profile investors' summit exclusive, untouchable and right at the center—

Victoria, dressed in black watching, waiting.

Her eyes narrowed slightly the moment she saw them walk in together.

Not broken, not separated and stronger.

Whispers spread instantly.

"They came together..."

"After everything?"

"Is Victoria making a move?"

Leonard didn't acknowledge any of it.

His hand brushed lightly against Isabella's back— Guiding her forward.

Not possessive, not controlling but clear.

She stood with him.

"Showtime," he murmured.

The meeting began, tension filled the room.

A senior investor stood. "There have been... disruptions. Confidence is unstable."

Leonard leaned back slightly, unbothered.

Then— He spoke.

"Then let me stabilize it."

Gasps filled the room, He placed a file on the table.

"Full acquisition."

The room erupted.

Isabella's eyes flickered slightly, even she didn't expected that.

Victoria's expression darkened instantly.

"You're overreaching," she said sharply.

Leonard's gaze shifted to her.

"No," he replied.

"I'm finishing what should've been done a long time ago."

Then—

He did something unexpected.

He turned to Isabella.

"Co-sign it."

The room went silent.

All eyes on her.

This wasn't just business, this was power, trust, position.

Victoria's nails dug slightly into her palm.

He's choosing her... publicly.

Isabella held Leonard's gaze for a second.

Measuring, understanding.

Then— She stepped forward.

Took the pen and signed.

Just like that—Everything changed.

The power shifted from divided— to united.

From uncertain— to unstoppable.

Leonard stood beside her, his presence solid.

"From now on, "we move as one,"" he said calmly, " Welcome the company's co-owner and manager.' He continued

And that— Wasn't just a statement, it's also a clarity."

Applause fill the air.

Across the room— Victoria's smile returned but this time it was colder, more dangerous.

"Fine," she whispered to herself.

Then her eyes locked onto Isabella.

"Let's see how strong you are... when everything starts falling apart."

Outside—The ocean remained calm, beautiful, deceptive.

Because beneath it— Storms were already forming.

And this time—It wasn't just about love, it was about power.

The moment Isabella signed— the room shifted.

Not subtly but completely.

Power wasn't just claimed, it was declared.

The investors who had been whispering moments ago now sat straighter, their expressions changing from doubt... to calculation.

Because now—Leonard wasn't standing alone.

He had chosen her, publicly, irrevocably.

Leonard took the signed document, sliding it toward the board with effortless authority.

"Effective immediately," he said calmly,

"all fragmented shares fall under a single controlling interest."

A pause.

Then—

"Victoria's group doesn't compete anymore."

His eyes darkened slightly.

"We own."

Beside him, Isabella remained composed.

But inside— Something shifted.

This wasn't just strategy anymore, this was... partnership.

Across the room—

Victoria slowly stood.

The soft scrape of her chair echoed louder than it should have.

"Well played," she said, clapping once.

Slow. Deliberate.

"But power built too quickly..."

Her gaze flicked to Isabella.

"...collapses even faster."

Leonard didn't even look at her.

"Security," he said flatly.

Two men stepped forward instantly.

Victoria smiled unafraid.

"I'll leave," she said, picking up her bag.

Then she leaned slightly closer to Isabella as she passed.

Her voice dropped to a whisper— Only for her.

"You think standing beside him protects you?"

A soft pause.

Then—

"I built the man you're so proud of."

And just like that— she walked away.

Isabella didn't turn, didn't react.

But her fingers tightened slightly at her side.

Leonard noticed.

"Don't listen to her," he said quietly.

Isabella finally looked at him.

"She's not entirely wrong."

That made him pause.

"She knew you... before I ever did," Isabella continued softly.

"And she knows how to hurt you."

Leonard stepped closer.

Close enough that no one else could hear.

"She knew the version of me that didn't deserve you."

His voice lowered and more personal, more real.

"She doesn't know the man standing here now."

Their eyes locked and for a moment—Everything else disappeared.

But power doesn't wait for emotions.

"Sir," an assistant rushed over.

"The press is already outside. They want a statement."

Leonard didn't hesitate.

"Prepare them."

Isabella blinked slightly. "You're going public with this?"

He looked at her.

"No."

A small pause.

"We are."

Minutes later—The doors opened.

Flashes exploded instantly.

Cameras, voices, questions flying from every direction.

"Mr. Leonard! Is the merger confirmed?"

"Who is the woman beside you?"

"Are the rumors about internal conflict true?"

Leonard stepped forward— And pulled Isabella slightly beside him. Not behind, not hidden, beside him.

"She," he said calmly, his voice cutting through the noise,

"is Isabella Deluca."

Silence.

Then chaos.

"She's not just part of this company—"

His hand brushed against hers.

Firm and certain.

"She's part of me."

The statement hit harder than any business announcement.

Isabella's heart pounded but her face remained composed.

Across the crowd—

A familiar figure stood at a distance.

Victoria again.

Her lips curved slowly into a smile.

"Perfect," she whispered.

Because now—Everything was public, everything was exposed.

And that made it easier... To destroy.

Back inside the car— The door shut, cutting off the noise.

For the first time since the announcement—

Silence returned.

Isabella turned to him.

"You just made this a war."

Leonard didn't deny it.

"It already was."

Then he looked at her—Not as a business partner, not as an obligation.

But as something far more dangerous.

"Now," he said quietly,

"They know exactly where you stand."

Isabella held his gaze, unflinching.

"Good," she replied.

A small, confident smile touched her lips.

"Because I'm not moving."

Leonard's expression raised a brow slightly—

Not in anger, in approval.

"Neither am I."

Outside—The city glittered with wealth and power.

But beneath it—The game had changed.

No more hiding, no more hesitation.

Just two people standing together.

Against a woman who was ready to burn everything down