Chapter 137 Enough for Me to Brag About for a Lifetime
Leopold lay in bed, turning restlessly. Victor's visit wasn't just a simple pledge of loyalty; it was far more calculated than that. The board was already silently splintering into two factions.
Gemma was firmly in Preston's camp, that much was certain. Xavier, terrified of Preston, wouldn't dare to step out of line. His seat on the board was a gift from Preston, a strategic move. Xavier lacked vision and had no real power base, making him the perfect puppet—an obedient, easily controlled extension of Preston's will.
But Victor's words today... He had risked exposing himself to earn Leopold's trust. That wasn't a mistake a shrewd, calculating man would make. It had to be a signal. Victor was hinting at a future threat, a situation where he would be vulnerable, and Leopold would be his last resort, his only way out.
Without even realizing it, Leopold had been cast as a gladiator in a five-person arena, and his real opponent was about to be revealed.
The bedroom door creaked open, and Caroline tiptoed in, assuming he was asleep. Instead, Leopold's hand emerged from under the covers. "Come here," he murmured. "Lie with me for a while."
"Can't sleep?" She asked, settling into his embrace.
Leopold inhaled the familiar, comforting scent of her shampoo, closing his eyes and pulling her closer.
"I'm getting sleepy now," he whispered.
Caroline could feel the exhaustion radiating from him. She traced soothing patterns on his back, her voice a low hum. "Sleep. You've been so tired lately."
A soft sound of agreement rumbled in his chest.
He slept until dusk began to fall.
The bedroom was quiet and warm. The last rays of the setting sun streamed through the window, casting a golden glow over the soft duvet and bathing the room in a hazy light. The air itself felt languid, a peaceful bubble shielding them from the city's relentless hustle. For a rare moment, the quiet washed away all the stress and fatigue.
Leopold's eyes fluttered open. He looked at the woman sleeping soundly beside him. Caroline was a peaceful sleeper, her expression serene, as if she existed in a world untouched by chaos—a picture of tranquil grace.
She was his solace, the one person who could soothe his mind. But just as powerfully, she was the one whose body brought him unbridled, intoxicating pleasure.
His thumb traced the soft curve of her lips. Her eyes opened, meeting his intense gaze. In the reflection of his irises, she saw her own flushed face. Their eyes locked, a spark igniting into a blaze of heat and desire.
It was Caroline who initiated the kiss, her hand, as delicate as it was strong, wrapping around the back of his neck. His eyes were bottomless pools, tender yet utterly possessive.
The world dissolved, sinking into the depths of his kiss.
Just as she had hoped, he gave her everything she wanted. And in return, she gave him a safe harbor, a place to anchor himself against the storm.
Steam billowed in the bathroom, fogging the glass shower walls into a hazy screen. Through the mist, their silhouettes moved together, a beautiful, unspoken masterpiece.
This was how crazy love could be. He shed his civilized veneer; she tore off her prim-and-proper mask.
"If we keep this up," Caroline said, her voice breathy and weak, "I'm seriously going to get pregnant."
Leopold held her, his chin resting on her shoulder. He swallowed slowly, deliberately, before answering. "Let's just see what happens. If you do get pregnant, I'll make more time. I'll take care of you, take care of the baby. I won't let all the responsibility fall on you."
She was still catching her breath. "But I want to see how far I can go in my career while I'm still young. I want to know how high I can climb."
She wanted to make Elijah proud.
He brushed her damp bangs from her forehead, his gaze fixed on her eyes, still clouded with the afterglow of their passion. "Fly as high as you want. the baby and Me—we'll never be a burden. I'll support you, one hundred percent."
Caroline considered this. "You wouldn't blame me for not focusing on our family?"
Leopold laughed softly. "What decade are we in? Who says a stable home has to be built on a woman's sacrifice? If you want a career, I'll back you. If you want to focus on family, I'll give you every dollar I have. You need to know one thing: with me, you never have to worry."
Caroline wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her forehead against his chest. After a few silent heartbeats, she looked up at him.
"Leopold," she said, her voice filled with a quiet certainty. "I made the right choice with you."
A grin spread across his face. "Now that's a compliment I could brag about for the rest of my life."
Finding a partner who was emotionally stable and offered their unwavering support was one of life's greatest blessings.
Ever since learning how swamped Leopold was, Elysia had taken over most of the wedding preparations. Whatever shopping list Caroline gave her, she would scour the entire city to find the absolute best, a testament to a mother's boundless love for her children.
With the wedding only a week away, Leopold managed to carve out some time to visit their new home and see if anything else was needed.
The moment he walked in, he stopped, stunned. The apartment was immaculate, not a speck of dust in sight. The leaves of the houseplants had been carefully wiped, gleaming with a healthy sheen. The decor was perfectly suited to the modern style of the home—grand yet warm and festive. Even the bedding had been replaced with a fresh set.
Every detail, inside and out, spoke of the care and joy of the person who had prepared it. It was a tangible expression of love for the new couple.
Leopold called Elysia. The phone rang for a moment before she picked up.
"Leopold."
"Mom," he said.
"What's wrong? Is everything okay?" Elysia was at a tailor's shop, picking out a new suit for him.
"Mom, I'm at the apartment. I saw you decorated everything and cleaned it all. Thank you so much for your hard work."
"Of course, dear. I don't have much else to do, and you two are so busy with work. You don't have time for this. I just hope you like it."
"I love it. Thank you, Mom. I've been so busy, and you've helped with so much. I feel bad about it," Leopold said, a genuine pang of guilt in his voice.
Elysia laughed warmly. "Silly boy, we're family. There's nothing to feel bad about. I'm just happy you like it. By the way, Leopold, I noticed your suits are usually dark. I was thinking of ordering you a light gray one. Would that be okay?"
To refuse would be heartless. When it came to a parent's affection, joyful acceptance was the best way to make them happy.
"Mom, you read my mind. I was just thinking I needed a new suit and couldn't find the right color. Thank you."
A smile was evident in Elysia's voice. "Good. I'll order this light gray one in your size then."
"Okay. Mom, which shop are you at? I can come pick you up."
"No need, I drove. I have a few more errands to run anyway."
"Okay, Mom. Drive safe. Call me if you need anything."
"I will," she promised.
He had just hung up when his phone buzzed again. It was Allegra.
"I'm in Seaside City," she said, her tone urgent. "I have something important to discuss with you. Pick a place. We need to meet." Before Leopold could recycle his old excuses, she added, her voice sharp and resolute, "This is about your future."