Chapter 45 Leila, do you look down on me?
Watching Mason’s smirk, Jennifer suddenly understood why she liked him. It was because although he was bad and rotten, he never used anyone.
Clutching the hand, Jennifer asked, “Did you sleep with a woman recently?”
Mason smirked teasingly. “Which one are you talking about?”
Jennifer’s face turned red with anger. “How many women did you sleep with recently?”
Mason replied lazily, “Many. There were celebrities, models, and even some of my subordinates who got ahead through special means.”
Jennifer was on the verge of tears.
Seeing her reaction, Mason said casually, “Jennifer, we’re not compatible. Our families won’t always get along. When that happens, you’ll be the expendable pawn. You know better than me how expendable pawns end up.”
Jennifer remained silent as Mason finished what needed to be said and got up.
Seeing him about to leave, Jennifer blurted out, “That woman’s name is Leila, right? Not only did you find a kidney donor for her mother, but you also transferred her to work under you…”
Jennifer’s voice had a hint of hysteria when she shouted this out.
Mason’s steps faltered briefly at Jennifer’s words, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes. However, it was just a momentary flicker, and when he turned around, his face had returned to its calm demeanor, a cold smile playing on his lips as he asked, “You investigated me?”
Jennifer was startled by Mason’s icy tone. “If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it.”
Jennifer thought Mason would retort, but to her surprise, he only chuckled lightly, admitting, “Indeed, I slept with the woman you mentioned.”
Jennifer asked anxiously, “Do you have feelings for her?”
Mason casually adjusted the collar of his shirt. “I have feelings for every woman I’m interested in but haven’t slept with. Since you love investigating so much, why didn’t you find out about the seven-million-dollar villa I bought for a former car model who followed me?”
Jennifer was stunned. A seven-million-dollar villa was obviously more meaningful than a kidney or a job. As the saying goes, a man who is willing to spend money on you may not necessarily love you, but a man who is unwilling to spend money on you definitely doesn’t love you. However, Jennifer forgot one thing: this theory doesn’t always apply to wealthy people. For them, it’s not about where they spend their money but where they spend their time. After all, time is much more valuable to them than money.
Jennifer looked at Mason’s mocking face, unable to determine if what he said was true or false. Finally, she tried to test him with what she thought was a clever move, “Regardless of whether you have feelings for her or not, I won’t let her off.”
Mason shrugged indifferently. “Suit yourself. But you’re not allowed to touch her for a month. My company has an important project that needs her attention. After a month, what you do with her is up to you.”
With that, Mason turned and walked away.
After leaving the lounge, he roughly tore off his tie and dialed a number on his phone.
“Daniel, assign a few people to follow Leila closely.”
Hearing Mason’s anger, Daniel didn’t dare to ask questions. “Understood, Boss.”
Mason added, “Pick some skilled individuals. And make sure she doesn’t notice.”
Daniel confirmed, “Got it.”
Ending the call, Mason strode out of the lobby, holding his tie tightly in his hand. As he prepared to get into his car, he saw Leila chatting with Mr. Moore not far away. They seemed to be enjoying each other’s company, with Mr. Moore even leaning down slightly to accommodate Leila’s height.
Seeing this, Mason narrowed his eyes.
Mr. Moore was smiling as he discussed a project from last year. “You were in charge of that project?”
Leila replied calmly, “Yes.”
Mr. Moore chuckled, “That project caused me quite a bit of loss. I’ve been trying to figure out who I lost to, and it turns out it was to a young lady like you.”
“If we collaborate this time, I’ll find a way to make up for your losses from last year.”
Mr. Moore raised an eyebrow, “Are you trying to trick me?”
Leila responded, “I wouldn’t dare. I genuinely want to collaborate with you.”
As Leila finished speaking, a phone call interrupted them. Leila apologized to Mr. Moore and took out her phone from her pocket. “Mr. Ramirez.”
“Leila, do you have time right now?”
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m not in a good mood. I want to talk to you.”
Leila had only seen Mason and Jennifer leaving the event, unaware that he had also left. Hearing his request, she glanced around and lowered her voice. “You’re out?”
“What do you mean ‘out’?”
Leila realized Mason didn’t know she was at the birthday party and whispered, “I’m at Miss Powers’ birthday party. I just saw you.”
“Oh.”
Leila asked, “Where are you now?”
“In my car. Where are you?”
Leila looked towards the direction of the parking lot and spotted Mason’s car. She whispered, “Can you wait for me a few more minutes?”
Mason leaned over to look at her through the car window, his lips curved into a slight smile. “How long?”
“Ten minutes.”Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
“Alright.”
After ending the call with Mason, Leila turned back to continue her conversation with Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore had a favorable impression of Leila, especially with the success of the project from last year.
A beautiful and intelligent woman who could both charm and discuss business there weren’t many people who wouldn’t like that. If there were any, it was likely due to competitive reasons.
After chatting for a while, Leila bid farewell to Mr. Moore. “Mr. Moore, I apologize for taking up so much of your personal time. If you are interested in collaborating, I’ll visit you another day.”
Mr. Moore half-jokingly replied, “If I’m not interested, will you give up?”
Leila smiled and responded, “No, I’ll keep trying.”
Mr. Moore said, “I’m going on a business trip tomorrow. Let’s meet next week. Bring your proposal then.”
“Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”
Leila left the party but didn’t dare to go directly to Mason’s car. She walked out of the banquet hall, crossed a street, and then dialed Mason’s number.
Mason answered, and Leila gently said, “Mr. Ramirez, why don’t you drive directly to my place? I’ll grab some groceries and take a taxi back.”
Having had a drink, even just a few sips, she couldn’t risk driving.
Mason, who was following her, didn’t respond but honked the horn.
Hearing the sound behind her, Leila instinctively turned around. When she saw Mason, her expression stiffened for a moment. Then, after looking around, she hurriedly ran to the back seat of his car, afraid of being seen by others if she took too long.
As Leila opened the car door, Mason lifted his eyelids and looked at her through the rearview mirror, a smile playing on his lips. “Treating me as your chauffeur?”
Leila, halfway into the car, hesitated and then retreated, “Then I’ll sit in the passenger seat?”
Mason unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt collar with one hand. “Sure.”
Leila closed the back door and walked to the front passenger seat. In this short distance, she pondered a lot.
Firstly, Mason’s mood must be very bad right now, and secondly, he seemed to genuinely consider her a friend.
Mason calmly turned the steering wheel. “How did it go?”
Knowing he was referring to the project, she answered truthfully, “Just met him.”
Mason asked in a deep voice, “Did you make progress?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Mason glanced at her. “Do you need my help?”
Leila hesitated for a second, only to hear Mason say naturally, “Aren’t we friends now? It’s normal for friends to help each other.”
Leila paused. She wasn’t great at making friends. Since her family went bankrupt, she had seen through the superficiality of human relationships.
Compared to genuine friendships, she believed in mutually beneficial relationships. Though it might sound heartless, it was more reliable.
Seeing her silence, Mason lowered his voice, “What’s wrong?”
Leila felt embarrassed to speak the truth. “It’s nothing. I can handle it myself.”
“Alright. If you have any problems, tell me.”
“Okay.”
With that topic concluded, silence filled the car for a moment. After a while, when they reached a crossroads and stopped at a red light, Mason lit a cigarette and spoke hoarsely, “Leila, do you look down on me?”