Chapter 388 Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea

Chapter 388 Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea

There were occasional soft sounds from the private room. Across the table, Preston was leisurely enjoying his soup. Leopold's plate in front of him was completely clean - at some point, he had lost his appetite whenever sitting at the same table with Preston.

Preston put down his soup bowl. "The soup is good, you should try it."

Leopold didn't move a muscle, quietly waiting for an answer.

Preston asked, "You don't like soup?"

Leopold's words had a double meaning. "Soup won't fill you up, so forget it."

Preston understood what he meant.

If it was the same deal as last time, Leopold wasn't interested in talking.

Preston pointed to a dish on the table. "If soup won't fill you up, there's still food."

Leopold calmly glanced at the delicacies on the table. "I'm afraid I have a big appetite - one dish won't be enough."

Preston waved his hand with a smile. "Too much food is too greasy, you won't be able to digest it."

Leopold looked him straight in the eye. "Whether I can digest it or not is none of your concern. This meal - either I don't eat at all, or I take everything."

"Take everything?" Preston methodically wiped his fingers with a wet napkin, saying meaningfully, "You've got quite an appetite."

A hint of defiance flashed in Leopold's eyes. "If you don't state your terms now, I'm leaving."

"Patience is what I've taught you most, so why are you still so impatient?" Seeing him about to leave, Preston quickly stopped him with his offer. "Your company doesn't have to be under the Celestial Waters Hotel brand. I'll invest in it - that way your bank loan process will go more smoothly too."

Those handsome eyes of Leopold's gradually filled with frost. He curved his lips and said, "Your tactics are really clever. Let me make this clear today - my company, the Wipere family won't get even a tiny piece of it."

Preston said, "We're family, why distinguish between yours and mine?"

Leopold raised an eyebrow. "During my years working at Celestial Waters Hotel, you divided up the benefits pretty clearly."

Preston was stumped. "Company management requires rules and systems. You need to think from the company's perspective."

Leopold had no interest in continuing this argument. "Let's end this meal here. You want to invest? Dream on."

With that, Leopold got up and walked toward the private room door.

"Leopold." Preston said sternly, "Leopold!"

Leopold stopped.

Preston said, "This is the last chance I'm giving you. You're not a child anymore - there's a limit to throwing tantrums. If you come back to the company now, I can still give you a position. After today, even if you get on your knees and beg me tomorrow, I won't help you."

Leopold pulled his mouth into a mocking smile, turned his head and said, "Mr. Preston Wipere better keep his word."

The door was yanked open, startling Joshua outside who quickly straightened up.

Leopold walked out, gave Joshua a sinister glance, and snorted coldly. "Joshua, you really are a good dog."

Joshua's pupils contracted sharply as he bit his teeth and held back.

The city under the night sky hid people's desires and filth. Preston's last words pierced through Leopold's last shred of hope like an ice pick.

Caroline was hanging up freshly washed clothes. Hearing the door open, she smoothed out the wrinkles on the garment and called out, "Leopold, you're back. Pretty early today."

"Yeah, the talk went pretty smoothly." Leopold changed his shoes in the entryway, his face numb and expressionless, but when he appeared before Caroline, he wore a completely different, gentle expression.

"Honey." He hugged her, resting his head on her shoulder, closing his eyes and saying, "Let me recharge for a bit."

Caroline stroked his back, feeling his exhaustion. "If you're tired, go lie down on the bed."

She pushed at him, but Leopold's tall frame wouldn't budge - almost his entire weight was pressing on her.

"Did you drink?" Caroline asked.

Leopold shook his head. "No."

Caroline was losing strength, struggling to support him. "Leopold, go sleep on the bed."

Leopold straightened up and suddenly cupped her face to kiss her.

His moist tongue explored her mouth, claiming territory, stirring freely. In just moments he swept away the sweetness between her teeth. He greedily exchanged breaths with her, even wanting to meld her into his body.

His slender hand brushed past her lower back, supporting her legs as he lifted her up - everything fitting together just right.

Until a brief expression of pain seemed to freeze on his face, then in the next second, returned to calm.

The next day.

Caroline opened her eyes. Leopold wasn't awake yet. She carefully caressed his lips, then secretly kissed them.

In her view, Leopold's smile deepened.

Caroline said, "You're awake?"

Leopold kept his eyes closed. "I'm not awake."

Her slender fingers lightly scraped his cheek as she said softly, "First time I've seen someone asleep who can still answer questions."

Leopold pulled her tighter, suddenly rolled over, pressed on top of her, kissing while saying, "Let me show you something else."

The two rushed out the door. Caroline said, "It's all your fault, we're both going to be late."

Leopold pressed the elevator close button, whispering in her ear, "This morning really wasn't my fault."

"Not your fault - so it's mine?" Caroline said, then belatedly blushed.

Leopold laughed. "You remembered?"

"No." Caroline stubbornly refused to admit it, wishing she could find a crack to crawl into.

He loved seeing Caroline look shy and continued teasing her, mimicking her tone, "Slower, wait, a bit slower... I followed all your instructions."

Caroline's eyes kept darting to the floor display, anxiously hoping - why wasn't it at the first floor yet? She really couldn't stay in the same space with him anymore.

"Honey, tonight I'll definitely provide better service." Leopold's hand climbed to her waist, giving it a light squeeze. She cried out involuntarily, quickly covering her mouth and warning him with her eyes.

Leopold knew when to stop, releasing his hand with a chuckle. "You're not allowed to be mad. A beautiful day starts in the morning."

Caroline let out a light sigh. She really had no way to deal with him.

The elevator door opened.

Caroline ran toward the parking spot. Leopold chased after her. "Don't run, we have time. Your bag."

Caroline glanced at her watch - still over ten minutes. She grabbed back her purse, saying urgently, "You really know how to cause me trouble."

Leopold stood by the road, watching her car pull out of the parking spot, even gentlemanly gesturing for her to go ahead.

Caroline rolled down the window and shouted at him, "Wait till I get home tonight to teach you a lesson."

"I'm working late tonight." Leopold waved at her with a smile.

After arriving at the company, Leopold called Erik to his office. "How far along is the Orchid Garden Project?"

Erik said, "The word is out. They all know we're in contact with Orchid Garden now."

"Good." Leopold nodded knowingly. "How many more loan rejections have we received?"

Erik said, "Two banks."

"Excellent." Leopold seemed very satisfied with this result.

"Your diversionary tactic has bought the company very valuable time." Erik placed documents on the desk. "I just spoke with their manager on the phone. The ones on this list can complete renovations by April 23rd. The remaining thirteen hotels will be done by the end of the month."

Leopold flipped through the documents while saying, "Have Lily finalize the schedule with the entertainment company. The ad placements need to be timely. Also mobilize new media channels - this segment's promotional push will definitely bring us a big wave of traffic."

Erik nodded. "I'll get right on it."

Everyone knew Leopold was going to play the hotel card, but how he would play it - no one could have guessed.