Chapter 89 Fear
CHAPTER 89
Fear.
The drive to his father’s house felt longer than usual. Leo’s hands rested firmly on the steering wheel, his jaw slightly tight as the message replayed in his mind. It hadn’t been long, but something about the tone something about the urgency refused to leave him.nWe need to talk. Come by tonight.
His father was not a man who called for unnecessary meetings. Everything he did had intention, precision, and control.
So if he asked Leo to come, then it mattered. The gates of the estate slowly opened as Leo’s car approached, the familiar towering structure of the mansion coming into view. It stood just as it always had, imposing, elegant, and powerful.
But to Leo it had never felt like home. He drove in without hesitation, parking smoothly before stepping out of the car. The moment his shoes touched the ground, the atmosphere shifted.
Everyone around was at alert, from the staff. The eyes and attention followed him instantly.
“Good evening, sir.”
“Welcome, sir.”
“Sir Leo.”
Voices greeted him one after another as he walked forward, each one polite, each one respectful but none of them genuine.
Leo acknowledged none of them. His expression remained blank, his stride steady and controlled as he moved through the entrance.
He was used to this. The whispers, the stares and silent curiosity. Being who he was came with attention but right now, it only irritated him.
He didn’t come here for any greetings, he came for answers.
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The interior of the house was just as grand as ever.nMarble floors stretched beneath his feet, reflecting the soft golden lights above. Every detail was perfect, every corner designed to impress.
He walked straight ahead, his focus fixed, his mind already preparing for whatever conversation awaited him upstairs.
And then he saw her. She stood near the hallway, dressed elegantly as always, her presence carefully maintained, her expression perfectly arranged.
The moment her eyes landed on Leo her face lit up.
“Leo,” Evelyn called warmly, stepping forward.
He stopped just enough to acknowledge her presence.
Evelyn approached him with a soft smile, her voice gentle. “I heard about what happened,” she said. “I’m so sorry about your girlfriend.”
Leo didn’t respond or gesture towards her..
Evelyn continued anyway. “Please extend my greetings to her,” she added. “I hope she’s recovering well.”
Leo simply stared at her for a brief second, his expression unreadable and then he looked away, completely dismissing her. The silence stretched just long enough to make the message clear.
Evelyn’s smile faltered slightly, but only for a moment. She recovered quickly, as she always did.
“Well…” she said softly. “Take care of yourself.”
And she walked away.
Leo exhaled sharply the moment she was out of his direct sight. A low hiss escaped his lips.
“Unbelievable…” he muttered under his breath.
She had always disgusted him, with the way she talks and smiles. He didn’t trust her. And no matter how polished her words sounded they meant nothing to him. Without wasting another second, Leo turned and headed for the stairs. Each step he took felt heavier than the last.
The house, the people and memories. Everything about this place carried a weight he never asked for.mAs he climbed higher, he noticed it again. The stares the maids along the hallway, pausing in their duties just long enough to glance at him.
Leo’s expression hardened slightly. He hated the attention and silent judgment, or the way people looked at him like he was something to be observed instead of understood. He ignored all of it, but it still got to him, tonight especially. He was already tired, already carrying too much. And this only made it worse. “Focus,” he muttered to himself. One step at a time.
He reached the top floor, the hallway here was quieter and private, reserved only for the most important rooms. Including his father. Leo slowed slightly as he approached the door.
His hand hovered briefly near the handle before he finally pushed the door open. The room was dim. The curtains are partially drawn, allowing only a small amount of light to filter through. The air felt still and then, Leo saw him.
Lying on the bed, weak and stilled in one position.
For a moment Leo froze, his breath caught slightly, his chest tightening in a way he hadn’t expected.
This wasn’t the man he knew, not the strong, commanding figure who controlled everything around him, not the man who never showed weakness. This was different.
“Dad…?” Leo called, his voice lower than usual.
There was no immediate response and for that brief second fear hit him. The kind he hadn’t felt in a long time.
He stepped forward quickly, his movements no longer controlled, no longer measured. “Dad,” he called again, more urgently this time.
His father stirred slightly. Relief washed over Leo instantly, though he didn’t show it fully.
His father slowly opened his eyes, his gaze settling on Leo. “You’re here,” he said weakly.
Leo stopped beside the bed, his expression tightening slightly. “What happened?” he asked.
His voice carried a sharp edge now, concern hidden beneath control. His father exhaled slowly.
“It’s nothing serious,” he said.
Leo didn’t believe that, not for a second. “You don’t look fine,” he replied.
His father gave a faint, tired smile. “I’ve been better,” he admitted.
Leo ran a hand through his hair, his frustration beginning to surface not at his father, but at the situation. "You called me here like it was urgent,” he said. “What’s going on?”
His father studied him for a moment before speaking again. “I needed to see you,” he said simply.
Leo frowned slightly. “That’s it?”
“No,” his father added. “There’s more.”
The room fell quiet again, the tension shifting. Leo stood there, watching him closely now.
Whatever this was it wasn’t small and the way his father looked weak, tired and different only made it worse. He had never known him to be this weak, and of someone that speaks with authority, he can't wait to hear what has been disturbing him.