The Heiress and The Billionaire's Revenge

Mother's Approval

Leon's nervous look made Amelie wonder who Margarete Richter was.

The housekeeper asked. "Sir, what should I tell your mother?"

Amelie eyelids dropped. “Your mother?”

Leon straightened his jacket. “Margarete Richter did not visit. She insists, She can't see you here.”

Before Leon could finish, the study door opened with elegance and authority. Margarete Richter entered like royalty.

Margarete was tall. She was dressed in cream silk and pearls. Her sharp eyes scanned around the room until they landed on Amelie.

She froze. Then her expression changed. She was curious who the girl in front of her was. “Leon, who is this?”

Leon cleared his throat. “Mother, this is Amelie.”

Margarete stepped closer, she examined Amelie. It felt like she was evaluating her for purchase at an auction.

“And why is there a young woman in your house?” her eyes narrowed slightly.

Leon hesitated. "It's a long story, but she's staying here temporarily."

“Temporarily? That's interesting,” Margarete said.

Amelie stepped forward gracefully. “Mrs. Richter, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Margarete blinked. She smiled warmly. “Oh, she has manners.”

Leon looked uncomfortable. He knew his mother was already planning a wedding in her head for him and Amelie.

Margarete turned back to him. “Leon Richter, you told me you were too busy for romance. Yet you hide such a beautiful woman in your home?”

“It’s not like that,” Leon quickly tried to explain.

Margarete ignored him completely. She took Amelie’s hands in hers. “Come, we'll have tea together.”

“Mother…” Leon tried to stop Margarete because he knew exactly what she was going to say to Amelie.

“Leon, go and rest,” Margarete ordered him. “This is between women.”

Amelie was surprised Leon could be this calm and take orders. He looked helpless in his mother's presence.

Leon stared at Amelie, she gave him a small, uncertain glance. He sighed. “Be careful. She negotiates better than the board of directors.”

Once Leon left the room, Margarete’s composure softened instantly. “My son has never brought a woman home or let a woman stay in his house.”

Amelie blinked. “Never?” she wondered why Leon let her stay. Something in her heart made her feel special and happy.

“Not once,” Margarete said proudly, and she was slightly annoyed. “I have been chasing him for years about marriage. He says he has no time. That women complicate business.”

She leaned closer, lowered her voice.“You must be very special.” Margarete was excited her son finally let a woman into his life, and she swore to make them fall in love with each other.

Amelie felt a heat rise in her cheeks. “I don’t think he sees me that way.” Amelie still saw Leon as an up-thigh man. He could not help but wonder why he was so cold towards people.

Margarete laughed softly. “Men like Leon do not see their feelings until they are drowning in them.”

She told me Leon wasn't always like this, he became cold and distanced himself from people because he was hurt by his father's actions. After Leon found out his father got the maid pregnant, he hated his father.

As a child, Leon loved and loved his father. But when the father made the mistake, Leon began to see him differently. Because that single mistake caused Margarete her family. Joy left their home.

Amelie felt sadness in her heart, she imagined what Leon must have gone through in his childhood. She felt sorry for him and Miss Margarete.

She studied Amelie carefully. “Does he want to protect you?”

Amilie hesitated… then she nodded.

Margarete smiled knowingly. “That is the first sign. You want to know how to win Leon’s heart?” Margarete asked gently.

Amelie nearly choked on her tea. “I…I don’t… you must have misunderstood the reason I'm here.”

“My dear,” Margarete interrupted kindly, “I have raised that boy. He is stubborn. Guarded. But his weakness is loyalty.”

Amelie listened closely. But she wasn't sure why.

“If you stand beside him, and not behind him. He will fall for you,” Margarete said. “Leon does not need a soft woman. He needs a strong one. Challenge him. But never betray him, he will love you forever.”

Amelie’s expression grew serious at that word. She thought to herself, why would she betray the man who saved her? She wasn't interested in Leon's love, but she wouldn't betray him. “I don't have a reason to betray him.”

Margarete’s eyes softened. “That's good. Because once you have his heart, he will burn the world for you.”

Amelie was not sure what that meant, but she was more interested in her protection, then getting married to him.

Upstairs, Leon stood at the balcony, watching the garden. He could hear faint laughter drifting from inside the house.

For the first time in a long time, something unfamiliar stirred in his chest.

He could not explain the feeling. He had locked himself away from people for years, it felt good finally having someone in his life.

Dinner was finished, and Leon had retreated to his study under the excuse of urgent emails. In reality, he needed space.

His mother’s sudden enthusiasm had unsettled him more than any board meeting ever could.

Downstairs, Margarete and Amilie remained seated together.

Margarete studied Amilie with a thoughtful expression. “Do you care about him?”

Amilie hesitated. “He saved me.”

“That is not what I asked,” Margarete said.

Amilie looked down at her teacup.

“He makes me feel safe,” she admitted quietly. “But he also challenges me and is like he has two different personalities. One minute he is nice, the other minute he is rude and evil.”

Margarete smiled knowingly.

“That is how he shows affection. Leon is not very expressive.”

Upstairs, Leon stepped out of his study to get water. As he walked past the staircase, he heard his name mentioned and slowed his steps.

He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.

But he didn’t walk away either.

“He has always been alone,” Margarete continued downstairs. “Even as a child. He learned early that trust is expensive.”

Amilie’s voice softened. “He doesn’t let people close, and I'm not sure if I want to get close to him, his life is too chaotic.”

“I know, but you are the first woman he has allowed into his home, so you are special.”

Amilie’s breath caught slightly.

Leon stood very still on the stairs.

Margarete reached for Amilie’s hand again.

“My dear… marry my son.”

Amilie froze.

Upstairs, Leon nearly dropped the glass in his hand. But he was curious to hear Amelie's response.

Suddenly, his phone rang, he picked up the call. After answering the call, he rushed downstairs, his face twisted in anger.

He got to where Amelie was, and pulled her up, holding her tightly, they locked eyes together.

Fear crossed Amelie's face at the sudden change in Leon's behavior. She was terrified of the anger in his eyes.

What could be the reason for Leon's sudden change? What did the caller tell him?