The Heiress and The Billionaire's Revenge

The Rejection

Leon was seated in his office, going through some documents, and a soft knock came at the door.

“Come in,” he said without looking up.

The door opened gently. Clara Baker stepped in, holding a slim black file against her chest. She looked polished and beautiful.

Clara Baker is Leon's childhood friend. She has always had feelings for Leon, but Leon fails to notice her efforts to win his heart.

“I brought the final projections you requested,” she said smoothly, and placed the file neatly on his desk.

Leon turned slightly. “Thank you.”

Clara hesitated. “How did the board meeting go?”

Leon wasn't interested in the conversation. “You don’t need to concern yourself with that.”

Clara's smile stiffened. She tried explaining herself. “I was just asking. Theo has been very ambitious lately.”

Leon’s expression hardened. “My brother’s actions are my responsibility. Not yours.”

Clara swallowed, her face twisted. “I care about this company too, Leon.”

“I know,” Leon replied. “That’s enough.”

Clara watched him carefully. She decided to try her luck with him. She tried to make him notice her by seducing him. She stepped around the desk.

“Leon, you must be stressed,” she said softly. “You’re overworking yourself.”

Before Leon could react, Clara rested her hands gently on his shoulders. She messaged lightly, her touch deliberate, intimate.

“You don’t have to do everything alone,” she murmured. “You know I’ve always been here for you.”

Leon froze. For a brief second, he allowed it. Then he moved forward and removed Clara's hands. “Clara, I don’t need a massage.”

The rejection landed hard on Clara. She had loved Leon since they were children, but he still treated her like a stranger. She couldn't express her feelings to him, because he would reject her. She just needed something to pin on Leon, for him to marry her.

Clara forced a small laugh. “Relax. It’s just a shoulder massage. We’ve known each other since we were children. I'm not a stranger.”

“I never said you were a stranger,” he replied coldly.

She rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to always push me away, I’m just looking out for you as a friend.”

Leon's expression dulled. He wasn't ready for his games.

Her eyelids dropped, she wouldn't hold back anymore. She could feel how much Leon didn't want her from his expression.

Leon looked at her directly. “I treat you like a friend and a colleague. I don't understand why it seems you are always complaining about how I treat you.”

That hurt. Clara obviously wanted to be more than friends, but Leon could not see it.

Clara’s expression closed up, she asked Leon if that was the only way he truly saw.

Leon’s eyes darkened slightly. He dismissed the conversation and asked her to leave.

Clara's composure cracked just a little, she couldn't hold back confronting Leon. “You’ve changed,” she said quietly. She rolled her eyes. “You don’t even look at me the same way anymore, like when we were kids.”

Leon was surprised she was still holding back to their childhood. “What are you saying? Are you drunk or something? I never looked at you differently.”

That cut deeper than anything else.

Clara’s chest rose and fell slowly. She tried to steady herself. She had built years of silent devotion on the belief that one day he would notice, and the loyalty would turn into love.

But Leon kept looking past her.

She didn't say another word. She walked toward the door, heels clicking sharply against the floor.

Right before exiting, she paused, but didn’t turn around. “You know, not everyone who stays beside you is doing it for power.”

Leon’s expression didn’t change. He replied.“And not everyone who stands close, belongs there.”

That was the final blow. Clara opened the door and walked out. Her face was calm but the second it closed behind her, her expression twisted with anger.

Her hurt turned into resentment. She swore she would get Leon at all costs, and if she couldn't be with him, no other woman would.

Back at Leon's house, Amelie had been bored all day, she felt uneasy in the large house. She toured round the house and came across Leon's study. It was packed with books. Amelie was impressed with Leon's book collections.

Amelie was in the study reading, when she heard footsteps and turned. Her eyelids dropped as she saw Leon. She thought Leon would be angry if she was in his studies. Instead of being angry, he was amazed she was interested in books.

“Do you have an interest in books?” Leon said to Amelie.

“Yes I do, you have a good book collection,” Amelie said with a smile on her face.

She mentioned the books she had read that are among his collection. It was almost all the books Leon had.

Leon was surprised she had read that many books. “Why are you interested in books?” Leon asked Amelie with curiosity.

Amelie hesitated for a while because this bought back memories of her late mother.

“My mom used to read stories and books to me when I was a child. After her death I started reading in memory of her.”

Sadness clouded Leon's features. He was unsure of what to say. He stared at Amelie. Something in him felt the urge to protect her and make her happy.

Leon didn't want to speak more on the matter because Amelie's expression dulled. Something in him didn't like seeing her sad.

“Sorry about your mom, I'm sure she would be proud of you for where she is.”

Amelie didn't say a word, her eyes lit up because Leon showed concern for her. She wasn't sure why it mattered to her. But she was happy.

Leon was more curious about Amelie, he really wanted to know her better.

He asked if she could assist him later in changing his collection of books.

They both stared at each other with thoughts running through their minds. They were interrupted by the housekeeper.

The housekeeper informed Leon, Miss Margarete Richter was downstairs.

Leon's eyes widened, the color drained out of his face.