Chapter 262 I Don't Want Anything
Nash's romantic escapades weren't exactly a secret in their circle, and everyone knew what he was into. But Beau never expected he'd have the nerve to set his sights on Caroline.
Beau's jawline tightened, his expression unusually cold as he agreed on the spot.
"Tell me, who do you want to invite?"
Leopold said, "Since I was asking you to step in, I naturally need to invite some industry heavyweights, seniors who hold the power of life and death."
Mentioning "power of life and death" made it clear Leopold wanted to leave Nash no way out.
Beau had connections everywhere, both legitimate and otherwise. Anyone he wanted to invite wouldn't dare refuse.
He said, "No problem. Give me the list, I'll handle the invitations."
Leopold wrote down the pre-prepared list on a piece of paper and handed it to Beau with both hands. "Uncle Collins, about last time, I was in the wrong. Please don't hold it against me. Let me offer you this tea as an apology. I'm sorry."
He respectfully offered tea to Beau, his attitude sincere and humble. Beau looked down at the tea held in mid-air, took it, and drank it down.
Since Beau drank Leopold'stea, it means he had accepted Leopold's apology.
Beau said, "In business, I'm not that petty. If I lost, it means I wasn't skilled enough. If you won, it shows you've got what it takes. And if nothing else, it's because you're my Caroline's husband. Sit down."
Leopold took his seat. "Thank you."
Although Leopold hadn't explained the details, Beau had already figured out the gist of it.
Beau scanned the names on the paper. "Two of these people—I can get them, but we might need to work around their schedules. They're extremely busy."
Leopold said, "As long as you can get them, we'll absolutely accommodate their schedules."
Beau nodded and placed the paper over the charcoal fire nearby, letting it burn to ashes.
He checked the time. "I need to meet someone. I'll head out first. Wait for my news."
Leopold got up to see him out. Beau glanced at him, a meaningful smile playing at his lips. "Having someone to keep you in line really makes a difference."
"You're right about that." Leopold agreed.
As they walked, Beau said, "Treat Caroline well. Don't bully her. If you dare bully her, I won't let you off."
"I wouldn't dare. I treat her very well."
"Don't just say it without meaning it."
Leopold lifted the curtain for him. "Now I mean it both in words and in heart."
At the teahouse entrance, Leopold opened the car door for Beau and even placed his hand over the car roof. Even Beau's driver was stunned.
The young man who once dared to confront Beau head-on and even stole his business was now opening the car door for the boss. What a dramatic reversal.
The driver started the car and slowly pulled away, occasionally glancing in the rearview mirror. Leopold stood there the whole time, seeing them off.
"Mr. Collins, what's Leopold playing at?"
Beau leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, smiling. "Even you find it strange."
The driver said, "It's like seeing a ghost."
Beau laughed heartily. "What ghost? That's Caroline's husband."
Hearing this, the driver quickly stopped laughing. "Mr. Collins, I didn't mean anything by that."
Beau said, "Just drive. Stop talking nonsense."
After returning to the company, Leopold stayed busy with several projects at hand, including one to upgrade the chain hotels in the northern region.
He'd been abroad dealing with Dash's situation, and when he came back, he found the work had made zero progress.
Preston hadn't been too supportive of the proposal from the start. This was clearly his way of stalling the project until it fizzled out.
But Leopold wasn't someone who left things half-done. He took the proposal and knocked on Preston's office door.
Leopold pulled out a chair by the desk and sat down, asking, "Mr. Preston Wipere, why hasn't the northern chain hotel upgrade plan moved forward?"
How dare he come here questioning him?
The little snake had grown up and was ready to bite back!
Preston finished signing a document, closed it, and set it aside before looking up. "As you know, the company's operating funds are all tied up in the overseas hotels. We don't currently have extra funds to support the northern hotel upgrade plan. But don't worry, once the group's cash flow improves, we'll definitely launch the plan."
In the past, Leopold would have argued with him, maybe even called in the CFO to question the funding issue.
But today Leopold was calm. After a moment of silence, he said, "If the company has financial difficulties, we'll just have to wait."
He got up to leave, but Preston stopped him.
"Wait."
Leopold stopped and looked at Preston across the desk.
Preston frowned. "Did the sun rise in the west today?"
Leopold said, "Ensuring the company's cash flow is indeed the top priority. I was careless and didn't consider the big picture."
Preston made a sound. "Why are you suddenly so different from before?"
Two people had already told him he'd changed today, but Leopold knew he hadn't changed at all.
Leopold said, "Really? Maybe it's because I'm married. Different mindset, more mature, and I consider how others feel when thinking things through."
"Exactly, that's how it should be." Preston was quite pleased. "To be a leader, you need to see the big picture. You can't act impulsively without thinking of the consequences."
Leopold nodded, looking at the floor. "Mr. Preston Wipere is right."
"I wouldn't call it a lecture. I'm just happy to see you've grown." Preston took a document from his drawer and placed it in front of him. "Take a look."
Leopold picked it up, opened to the first page, saw the content, and immediately put it down. "You're still young. A will is premature."
"What? Not satisfied with the share I'm giving you?" Preston asked back.
Leopold's expression was blank, almost numb. "Actually, you don't need to give me anything. The one who should really inherit Celestial Waters Hotel is Xiomara."
At this, Preston's face darkened, his tone displeased. "So you're still blaming me for not giving you and your mother legitimacy?"
Leopold said, "That's not what I meant. Don't twist my words. I've never wanted any of this, and neither has my mom."
Whenever Quinlan was mentioned, not only was Leopold unhappy, but Preston was also annoyed.
He'd only wanted to give her the cold shoulder to temper Quinlan's fiery personality, but instead, he'd only pushed her further away.
"If your mother didn't want it back then, why would she have given birth to you?" Preston said irritably.
Leopold took a deep breath. "We agreed not to bring up my mom at the company."
Preston frowned. "Why can't I mention her? You're my son. All these years, your mother's been out there, her living expenses—which one wasn't paid with my money? Can't I even talk about her?"
Leopold's hands clenched at his sides. "You're the one who sent her away, you're the one who offered to support her, and now you're blaming her for drifting around. She's a person, not a pet you can call over to play with when you're happy and kick aside when you're not."
"So you're very dissatisfied with me now?" Preston asked back.
The atmosphere in the office instantly became oppressively suffocating for Leopold.
"Mr. Preston Wipere, I have a client to meet. I'll be going." Leopold turned and left.
Preston gripped his pen tightly until, after the office door closed, it snapped with a crack.
"Stubborn fool, just like her."