They had barely settled down when the doors opened and Rodrigo stepped in, his smile seeming forced as he did so.


    s thingsing


    "Lapologize, I had to take that call for a minute," He informed, pausing for a second when he spotted Cronica. "Leonica, it''s good to see you. How''s i about with Ashley now that you have free time."


    His words, although sounding natural and normal, gave Leonica avibe that she could


    much read.


    Why are you here, Leonica? And as for bring jobless, how does that rel? she could tell that''s what he meant, especially when he sat down and shed her a smile. "Ah, don''t worry about that. I''m already moving on, adjusting to the new routine, I''ll be time she replied, giving him a small smile.


    "Really?" He questioned, the condescending glint in his eyes shining brighter.


    "Yes, I''ll manage, just like I always do."


    Rodrigo checked, a sound that made Leonica want to reach over and strangle him, but she refrained, not wanting to ruin her entire n. Thankfully, the servants brought in the food, serving the delicacy around the table, while the family waited patiently. As they began to eat, Benjamin started the conversation.


    "How''s thepany doing under your management, Melvin


    Rodrigo suddenly chocked at the question and he was now in the spotlight rather than Melvin who had been questioned.


    "Tapologice, it''s been quite a while since we all sat down and ate like this, so I got nervous."


    Everyone nodded in understanding except for Leonica who actually understood the mason why he had choked. She barely held back herughter, resulting in a cough that caused Melvin to archabowather


    She smiled.


    "Everything is fine father, thepany''s doing well. "Melvin responded after clearing his throat, his attention then retuming to Rodrigo. "Uncle Rodrigo here has contributed abundantly in helping me manage thepany. In fact, by this time next week, you should be hearing good news."


    "Is that so?" Benjaminsaid as he took a bite from his food, missing the way Rodrigo became a tad bit nervous.


    "Yes. I''m working towards securing a deal with apany." He lied


    Leonica who at that moment, decided to add spice into the nd flow of the conversation, asked. "Whatpany is it? Does anyone know?"


    "Ah," Rodrigoughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "It''s a sectet."


    "Is that so?" Benjamincepeated once more, this time asound nodding his head as he started at Rodigo. It was clear that he wasn''t quite buying his awers, but for the sake of the dinner going on, he chose to let it slide.


    *50, Leonica, Benjamin tumed to fare her instead. "Now that you don''t have anything on the table, have you decided to treat your personal life? Perhaps get remarried?"


    "Benjamin, don''t push her, she just recently got out of a marriage."


    "Recently, as in five years ago." Hether pointed out. "Don''t you want to marry? Give Ashley a father figure in his life?"


    respondled.


    "Yeah, butst checked, a boyfriend isn''t a husband. You need someone who''ll take care of you too. A man you can depend on and call your husband. "Her father went on and at some point, Leonica began to feel as though he was purposely attacking her. She dropped her spoon in an unceremonious manner and stood up before she could snap in a disrespectful manner at her father


    *t think Loved some ait, ple


    "me" she didn''t wait for anyone''s response, instead, she just turned and walked out, heading towards the ba. Meansdale, Rodrigo also stood up, taking this opportunity to see himsel i think Thave to make another call. Please excuse me, Jig Right ons Her


    And with that, he too was gone. He quickly sped walked though the hulls, finding his way to Benjamin''s office and heading straight for the security vandt behind


    his chair.


    with shaky fingers, he pulled out the code and dialed, the numbers that were typed out and he pushed his ear against the door, listening.


    There was a beep followed by the sound of the vault clicking open. Rodrigo pulled it open, and just as he had expected, the files that had Romero Emplie''s originals were sitting there.


    "Perfect," He thought as he picked the paper out, stutting it into his pocket before recing it with a tale copy.


    When he closed the vault and tumed around, he yelped in surprise upon seeing Leonica leaning against the door frame, watching himContent ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Jesus Christ Leonica


    "What are doing in my father''s study?" She asked, stepping inside, the sound of the heels of her shoes clicking against the tiles of the floor echoing around the


    "I could ask you the same."He countered.


    "I have the right to be here, I was bom into this house, you weren''t." Her eyes drifted to the vault behind and it clicked,


    Once again hiding her smile, she allowed her eyes drift towards a set files on the table. "Did father ask you to bring this up?" she naively asked, giving room for one of Rodrigo''s flimsy excuses.


    The male rumed his head back and spotted the papers. Seeing this as a chance to go away unnoticed, he quickly nodded his head. "Yeah, he was discussing something important with Melvin when this came in, so he asked me to bring them up." Leonica purposely gave him a look of doubt.


    "You can go ahead and ask him if you want." He added, smiling to himself when she shook her head.


    "That won''t be necessary.


    "Good, now I''ll be heading off."