Leonel still remembered every lobby detail, even inside Ester’s unit. He had visited this ce so often. He used to call it home, a ce to return to when he felt tired, especially when he was reminded of the damn marriage that trapped his life.


    There was a sense of joy whenever he walked through the lobby area-just nodding briefly to the people who greeted him. At least, they recognized Leonel, who often wandered around the luxurious apartment area in West New York City.


    But that was in the past.


    Lately, Leonel no longer felt the same excitement in his heart. Instead, He felt tired but needed to talk in a more private setting. If Ester tried to make excuses, he still had a surefire way to trap her.


    Leonel wouldn’t let Ester talk too much this time or corner everything on him. He wouldn’t allow it.


    “Do you want me to cook something for you?” Ester asked cheerfully. She had been touching Leonel’s arm since earlier. As usual, he disyed calmness and a cold, stiff expression. But Ester liked it.


    “No.”


    “I’ve been trying to use the kitchen just to learn cooking.”


    Leonel didn’t respond.


    “I asked Rio to order food. We should have dinner first. Do you agree?”


    “I’ll go along with your wishes, Ester.” Leonel gently stroked Ester’s hand. He didn’t want his cold response to ruin their ns. “You always know what I like.”


    As Leonel finished speaking, the elevator door opened. Sofi followed them to the unit to put down some items. She would surely leave them alone since it seemed like it had been a while since Leonel visited Ester. They used to meet often in this apartment. The issues between them had caused a distance.


    Sofi hoped that whatever Ester did could make the beautiful woman realize her actions were wrong. Sofi didn’t hesitate to give some advice, but Ester was very stubborn about her desires.


    Meanwhile, Ester couldn’t wait to spend the evening with Leonel. She didn’t hesitate to show her affectionate side to the man staring straight ahead at the elevator, which was now moving upward. One by one, the numbers disyed indicated the floors they passed, and the sound of the elevator bell rang precisely on their destination floor.


    Sofi was the first to exit the elevator and quickly opened the door for them, cing Ester’s belongings in the room, unlike Ester, who went straight to the kitchen, grabbing Leonel’s cold drinks while she was content with water.


    “I’ll take my leave now, Miss,” Sofi said after ensuring everything was in order. She also informed them about cing Ester’s belongings in various ces. As usual, Ester just nodded as if she understood Sofi’s words. If she were to search for those items, Sofi would be the one Josh called.


    “Rio will arrive soon, Miss.”


    “Okay.” Ester smiled widely. “Drive safely.”


    Sofi nodded quickly. She was also d when her model was in such a good mood. She didn’t forget to say goodbye to Leonel, who responded with a slight nod.


    Afterward, Ester didn’t hesitate to approach Leonel, sittingfortably on the sofa. She sat on hisp, her fingers moving sensually to seduce her future husband. It was something she often did when alone with Leonel.


    There had never been any refusal except today.


    “We’ll wait for Rio toe. I don’t want to be interrupted.”


    Surprised when Leonel held her hand, Ester smiled even more pleasantly. “Um… You’re right. I missed you, Leonel.”


    “I know.” Leonel smiled meaningfully. He briefly kissed her lips, adorned with slightly faded red lipstick. “I can’t wait for Rio to arrive.”


    “For what?” Ester’s brow furrowed.


    “I’ll deliver the food and then go home.” He traced Ester’s wless cheek. His eyes scanned the face of the woman he used to love. But he knew what she had been doing behind his back; a sudden feeling of disgust and frustration enveloped his heart. However, he could only show his dislike once the right time came.


    Just a little longer. Don’t let anything interrupt the conversation about this matter. Right. Leonel just had to wait for one more moment.


    “Alright, Mr. Impatient. Can I take a shower first?”


    Leonel didn’t prevent Ester from leaving. Shortly after Ester entered her room, Rio arrived with several boxes of pizza and sd. There was little interaction between Ester’s driver and Leonel. And now what Leonel had been waiting for was about to happen.


    They were alone. No interruptions and Leonel could press Ester to admit her actions. He still respected Ester in the eyes of his trusted subordinate. He didn’t want them to think poorly of Ester, even though they might know what she was doing.


    Ester wanted to spend less time in the bathroom. The most important thing for her was to beautify herself as much as possible and wear the most seductive attire in front of the man who was undoubtedly still in the living room. The sound of the TV indicated that perhaps Leonel was enjoying the show.


    Wearing sleepwear with rtively short pants and a low-cut top, wrapped in a kimono-like knee-length pajama to cover her somewhat exposed body, Ester strolled towards Leonel. She still had yet to notice what appeared on therge TV screen. Instead, she focused on Leonel and draped her arms around the back of his neck, acting coy.


    “Darling,” she called. “You seem focused.”N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    When Ester’s bedroom door opened, and he heard footsteps approaching him, Leonel focused on the recording on the TV screen. He didn’t know how many times he had reyed it to uncover what Ester was nning with Josh, but he wouldn’t let it happen this time.


    “That… It’s you, right?” Leonel asked casually. “What are you doing with Josh?”


    His words took Ester aback. Her eyes immediately focused on the screen in front of her. The recording was from when they were at the restaurant, followed by scenes in several ces Leonel shouldn’t have known about.


    How did this man find out about her meeting with Josh?


    “I… We just met casually,” Ester tried to regain control of the situation. “You know, Josh Corp has many projects. I think it’s normal.”


    Leonel understood that reasoning. He nodded slowly. “What about this?”


    The TV screen changed. Their conversation could be heard quite clearly, especially regarding their ns. It involved Chloe spreading rumors about Mountain’s downfall and the parties involved.


    “What is this, Leonel?” Ester became defensive. “You… I think you’re starting to lose your mind, Leonel. Do you think Josh and I nned all of this?” She moved away from behind Leonel, walking quickly to grab the power remote to turn off the still-revolving footage.


    Unfortunately, Leonel quickly secured the object on the ss-covered table earlier.


    “You!” Ester eximed in disbelief. “What do you want?”


    Leonel smirked. “Do you still want to make excuses?” He also took out several photos that he had prepared there. “Can you exin all of this?”


    It was undeniable to Ester that it wasn’t just her meeting with Josh that Leonel was referring to. Under Josh’s orders, Ester was asked to meet many people. She became the facilitator of their n, including silencing the media and lobbying with many other advantages, where Ester became the shield for Josh. Who wouldn’t want to see Ester’s face on the front page of their search engine?


    She also met several people, most of whom coborated with Leonel in a new partnership. What Ester had said about helping Leonel with the aftermath of Mountain’s turmoil was true. What Ester did was also in line with Josh’s instructions, making it seem like they wanted to work together because of Ester’s presence in Mountain.


    Everything was nned very well.


    The target was achieved, causing Mountain significant losses with the rumors circting. Leonel admitted that it was sessful. He had to work hard to rebuild it, although it couldn’t be considered stable.


    “I don’t understand what you’re saying, Leonel!” Ester retorted, her eyes ring at Leonel.


    “Don’t understand? After all of this?” Leonel smirked again. “The smartest couple I’ve ever known in my entire life. You know, Ester, your goal was sessful. I divorced Chloe, but I didn’t allow her to be touched by journalists.”


    Ester hesitated. “After everything I’ve done? I did want you for myself, Leonel. That’s been my desire all along. Nothing else.”


    “No wonder there was no news about our affair back then.” Leonel chuckled. “Josh made sure of that. You were used as a pawn to move everything. You were afraid of tarnishing your name because of our affair while Chloe was in such a state when we divorced.”


    Ester fell silent.


    “Truly, you two are so clever.” Leonel started to gaze sharply at Ester. “I used to want to marry you desperately. It didn’t have to be a grand affair. Just eight months ago, that desire burned in my heart. But as time passed, I began to understand why God never allowed my n to marry you toe to fruition. I was asked to wait and see how corrupt your heart was.”


    “Corrupt? Have you ever thought about yourself?” Esterughed dismissively. “I could easily flip all those cheap rumors and attack Chloe. But I didn’t. Why?”


    Leonel fell silent.


    “Because Josh asked me to. Josh has loved your wife for a long time. That wed woman is Josh’s target. You got divorced, you were busy with Mountain, and I was there to apany you during the downfall of Mountain, helping you. Yet, you didn’t marry me? What will others say about you? Have you forgotten that there’s a faithful woman by your side?”


    Leonel clenched his fist.


    “I could ask Josh to stop many coborations with Mountain. Your support would be gone. What would you do?” Ester looked at Leonel with a contemptuous gaze. “You would beg me to do my part, Leonel. Just ept all our games. After all… I love you. Josh loves your wife. We all get what we want.”


    Leonel grew angrier, disappointed, frustrated, and couldn’t believe that one influential figure had meticulously nned and orchestrated all these recent events.


    Josh William.


    “You know, Ester,” Leonel approached her. “There’s one thing I’ve been working on while searching for the truth. Don’t think I’m inferior when ites to your desires.”


    Leonel took out another file.


    “Exin this, then.”


    Coinciding with the TV footage earlier, it switched to Ester talking to one of the car mechanics. There was also some money she slipped into a brown envelope. This incident happened two days before Chloe’s ident.


    “I know you didn’t leave town as you imed that day.”


    Ester’s eyes widened.


    “Answer me, Ester.”