Chapter 104 Exchange of Interests
Interest was the foundation of all transactional relationships.
Whenever you measure and think from the perspective of interest, you become smart and wise. But if emotions get mixed in, no matter how you think about it, you become incredibly foolish.
Before, Leopold still viewed his relationship with Preston through the lens of father-son affection. But when Preston discovered he didn't marry the person Preston had chosen for him, he completely became just a chess piece in Preston's hands.
So the essence of their relationship is an exchange of interests.
To Preston, he's just a tool to maximize benefits.
It's all about expectations and returns.
Preston was indeed very practical, "How soon can you make it happen?"
What he meant was, how soon could Leopold achieve it? Only when he did would Preston agree.
Leopold wasn't stupid either. Preston was such a cunning old fox—even if he achieved it, what if Preston went back on his word? Would he and Caroline have to keep waiting for Preston's approval?
"Right now, you're the one asking me, not the other way around," Leopold said calmly. "I've already explained our family situation to Caroline and her family. If it comes to the elders not attending the wedding, they can understand. I came today only because I want to make the wedding more perfect. If that's not possible, it doesn't matter—I've already planned everything out."
Preston's eyes sharpened. "You've learned to threaten me."
Leopold smiled indifferently. "Mr. Preston Wipere, how would I dare threaten you? Given my current situation, don't overthink it."
Preston narrowed his eyes fiercely. There wasn't much that could control Leopold now, but he couldn't kick Leopold out of Celestial Waters Hotel either. The board members were united in appearance but divided at heart, and those he could use were few and far between. Although Leopold had broken free from his control, compared to those others, using him was still the best option.
After a moment of silence, he said, "What date is the wedding set for?"
Leopold said, "The specific date hasn't been set yet. I'll let you know once Caroline's family chooses one."
"What!" Preston frowned. "Let them choose the date?"
Leopold said, "They have more time than you do. No need to trouble you with such small matters. It's getting late, I won't disturb your work."
Just as he stood up, Preston stopped him.
"Leopold."
Leopold stopped.
"Do you really resent me this much?"
Was Preston trying to play the emotional card now that he realized he couldn't control him?
Leopold was sick of all the scheming even between father and son. "Mr. Preston Wipere, you think too highly of me. I'm just a card in your hand. There's no question of resentment or not. Just give me orders when you need something."
He bowed slightly and left the office.
It wasn't until he left the office building of Celestial Waters Hotel that Leopold finally had a moment to breathe.
Meanwhile, upstairs.
Preston stood by the window watching Leopold's car drive away, his furrowed brow shadowing deep pupils that held emotions too thick to dissolve.
Leopold didn't rush upstairs. He sat in the parking garage for half an hour and contacted Lily, instructing her to handle some matters.
To meet Preston's demands, his days ahead wouldn't be easy.
Caroline had just finished washing clothes and was about to hang them when she heard the door and looked over. "You're back."
"Yes." Leopold looked down as he changed his shoes, saw her standing on the balcony, and walked over. "Let me do it."
Caroline said, "There aren't many clothes, I'll hang them."
She shook out each piece of clothing, smoothing the collar, sleeves, and front before hanging them up.
After hanging one piece, Caroline turned to observe his expression and asked tentatively, "Your talk with your dad went okay?"
The two stood on either side, talking through the clothes. Leopold's eyes and brows carried a smile. "Pretty good."
"He agreed?" Caroline was delighted.
Leopold nodded.
The weight on Caroline's heart lifted. Finally, everything was coming together.
"My mom should have a date set in the next few days. Then you can tell..." She still found it a bit hard to say, "tell Dad."
Leopold hung up the last pair of pants, the drying rack rose, and there was no longer anything between them.
"Okay." Leopold smiled gently.
He took Caroline's hand, looking into her star-like eyes, his fingertips gently caressing the back of her hand. "Let's book the wedding photos tomorrow. Things are a bit rushed, and you've worked hard too."
Caroline said, "What's hard about this? But what about you—once we set the photo date, will you have time?"
"I'll make time even if I don't have it." Leopold hugged her. "I might not have that many tables of family on my side, more friends."
Caroline said, "I'm the opposite—more relatives."
Because of Quinlan, Leopold's relatives all knew about it. When Leopold invited relatives, he was selective, choosing some sensible ones and leaving out the unreasonable ones.
Caroline understood what he was planning, so she didn't fuss about these things.
But after meeting with Preston, his expression still wasn't quite right. Caroline cut a plate of fruit and came to the living room, placing it on the coffee table.
Leopold was working on his laptop, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Caroline glanced over—the document was entirely in a foreign language, and from what she could see, it was about hotel management planning.
Caroline sat beside him, picked up a piece of dragon fruit on a fork, and brought it to his lips. Leopold took it in his mouth and chewed slowly as Caroline asked, "Are you opening a new hotel?"
Leopold's attention was fully on the plan. He wrote while saying, "There's that plan, but not exactly. Some hotels need to be reorganized and managed. Two overseas hotels have bigger problems, so I need to go there in person."
"When are you going?" Caroline asked.
Leopold thought of a good idea and quickly finished writing it down, then closed his laptop and set it aside. He pulled Caroline over and wrapped his arm around her waist, saying, "Don't worry, it won't affect our wedding photo shoot, and I won't be gone too long."
Caroline asked, "When are you planning to leave?"
"After I finish the proposal, I need to send it to the company for the shareholders to discuss. There should be results within a week." Leopold knew he shouldn't be adding to his workload right now, but he had to give Preston something he promised, to show Preston he was working on it.
Caroline said, "I don't mean anything by it, I'm just worried you'll be too tired."
Leopold smiled and kissed her face. "My wife knows how to care for me."
So, who doesn't care for him?
Caroline cupped Leopold's face with both hands, stared into his eyes, and asked, "Are you hiding something from me?"
"No."
His few seconds of hesitation had already given Caroline her answer. Working at the grassroots level and dealing with all kinds of people, she'd developed the ability to read people.
Caroline pouted, pretending to be angry. "What can't you tell me?"
Leopold smiled helplessly. He couldn't hide it from her, so he might as well tell her.
He roughly explained his conversation with Preston. The more Caroline listened, the heavier her heart felt—not because Leopold would be facing a massive workload, but because of the interest-driven relationship between father and son.