Claimed By My Billionaire Enemy

CHAPTER 005 - A PROBLEM

LEON'S POV

It was past seven, and the office was mostly empty. Everyone else had already gone home, but I had held back the strategy department team for a meeting that wasn't optional.

They were fidgeting in their seats, and checking their watches, but I didn't say a word yet.

I just sat there quietly for a few more minutes before I finally broke the silence.

“Who proposed that building? The one with the coffee shop?” My voice came out colder than I wanted it to.

The room went still. A few eyes darted toward each other, but no one spoke.

Just as I leaned forward, a hand went up slowly, and reluctantly. “It was me, Sir.”

I tried to soften my gaze, but he still squirmed before I even said a word.

A man squirming… because of me? Damn! How did it get to this point? Gianna would scold me for this.

I leaned back on my seat, clearing my throat with awkwardness. “Good. Mr…” I waited for him to say his name which took a whole minute.

“Mr. Voss, Sir.”

I nodded. Remembering my employees names was one of the things I was terrible at. “Okay. Mr. Voss. Can you please explain to us why you–”

“Let me do that, Sir.” Someone cut me off.

It was the strategy team leader, Ms… Avery?

“I’m Ms. Ainsley.” She added quickly. At least I almost got it right this time.

“Mr. Voss selected the building, but I was the one who approved it and I can explain why.” She said,

Her tone was bold, she wasn't squirming or avoiding my gaze like the others. And I liked that.

“Go on.” I motioned to her, leaning forward.

She shifted in her seat to face me properly. “The building is perfectly located, sir,” She began, steady and confident. “It's right between two luxury malls that attract a lot of high-end customers. If we place our own store there for the premium furniture line, we are sure to have rapid foot traffic from both sides. It's a golden spot.”

I raised a brow, skeptical. “Let me get this straight,” I said slowly, leaning back on my seat, unimpressed. “You want to demolish a building that already has tons of thriving, functioning businesses. And build our mall in its place.”

“Yes, Sir.” She replied immediately, not a single flinch. “The project is bigger than every single shop currently in that building. We're looking at long-term gains, and dominance in the market."

She met my gaze, steady and professional. “We spent months finding this location, Sir. If we pass it up, it could take just as long, or even longer, to find another spot this perfect. We would lose not just time, but potential revenue, brand exposure, and momentum for this project.”

I leaned back, tapping my fingers against the table. "You're suggesting we sacrifice a short-term inconvenience for a long-term advantage?”

“Exactly, Sir.” She nodded proudly.

Her reasoning had hit me where it mattered. I couldn't deny her point. Sometimes it was all about choosing the smart option, not merely being nice. Nice never did the job.

“Fine.” I said finally, my voice firm. “Let's do that. Demolish the building. But I want the transition handled cleanly. No unnecessary conflicts. Clear?”

She nodded quickly, grinning. “Clear. You have nothing to worry about, Sir.”

I stood. “Good. That's it for today. You're all dismissed.”

My secretary rushed in at that moment. “Sir, there is a lady causing a scene at the lobby. She has been calling for you.” She informed me, slightly out of breath.

I frowned. “A lady?”

I followed her down to the lobby, my eyes narrowing when I saw the familiar woman trying to get past the security guards.

Her sharp voice cut through the air. “Tell Leon Royce that Sabrina Quinn is here to see him! And tell him he picked the wrong woman to mess with!”

I stopped a few paces away from her, my arms crossed, trying to hide the flicker of something. Annoyance? Amusement? Maybe both.

Her eyes kept scanning the lobby like she was hunting for me. But still, she looked fragile… almost too delicate. A slim woman, with pale skin that was surprisingly as white as the snow.

Her eyes shot wider when she saw me.

She tried to head toward me, but the guards pulled her back.

Hell! They were manhandling her too much. I didn't have to say a word. I just glared at them, and they let her be.

Then, she marched toward me. And for the first time, I allowed myself the tiniest smile. She didn't just seem bold. She was relentless. And I had to admit… that intrigued me.

When she stood right in front of me, and I pressed my pre-planned deadpanned glare on her, she didn't flinch. If anything, she lifted her chin higher.

“What right do you think you have to demolish a building that serves as the home to so many flourishing businesses?” She started, her tone strong, and her eyes not leaving mine like we were doing a staring contest.

I tilted my head slightly. “Well, it's mine, young lady. Everything under that property belongs to my company now. And I have plans for it.” I kept my tone flat, business like.

Her brows drew together as she bit her lower lip. “People live and work there. I own a cafe there. You can't just take away our only means of—”

"I can." I cut her off. "Because it's not my concern.” The words came out colder than I intended, but I couldn't take them back.

Then she snapped. “What kind of a man are you? You walk around in your expensive suits, buying people's lives like they're disposable. Do you even care who you hurt?”

Every pair of eyes in the lobby turned towards us, maybe waiting to see how I would react.

My jaw tightened, just slightly. I didn't like the way her words got under my skin.

“You talk too much.” I said.

“Maybe someone needs to.” She shot back, taking a step closer. “I’ve heard about you. You don't scare me, Mr. Royce.”

A humorless smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “You should be careful, Ms. Quinn. The world isn't kind to people who bite the hand that feeds them.”

She scoffed, like she was mocking my words. “Well I would rather starve than bow to a man like you.” She snarled.

And I hated that it made my chest tighten for a reason I couldn't explain.

She didn't stop, her eyes had somehow darkened. “I'm not going anywhere, Mr. Royce. You might have power, but like I said, I'm not scared of you.” She said each word slowly and deliberately.

“This doesn't end here. I'll come back with more resources. More people if I have to. You're not taking my café. Not without a fight. You just wait and see.” She added.

And just like that, she turned and walked away.

I remained at my spot, hands in my pockets.

I should’ve been angry.

But instead, all I could think about was the way she said it… like a promise. And for the first time in a long time, I was looking forward to a fight.

I turned to my secretary. “Find out everything you can about her. I need them by tomorrow morning.”