Chapter 167


    At 24, Leandro was a year away from taking the reins of the family business. Back then, he was the


    quintessential heir involved in thepany yet with ample leisure time. His days were filled with


    socializing and indulgences, with little concern for family matters.


    One day, while leaving the office for a gathering, he unexpectedly spotted Seraphina on the street. She


    was 16, navigating the challenges of adolescence and high school. Engrossed in a heated argument


    with a boy, both in school uniforms, they were a conspicuous sight.


    Without hesitation, Leandro pulled over. His rtionship with Seraphina was distant at the time. She


    was the young girl taken in by the Reynolds family, doted on like a granddaughter by Conway. Though


    she was expected to address Leandro as “brother” like other family children, she never did.


    Like all kids who depend on others for their livelihood, Seraphina had a sensitive and fragile ego which


    she carefully guarded. Most of the time, she went about her life practically invisible.


    Even though they weren’t close, they were still family. Leandro pulled over, looked at the arguing pair


    and called out, “Hey, need a hand?”


    Seraphina looked up and saw him, ran towards his car like he was her knight in shining armor, opened


    the door and got in.


    The boy, however, didn’t give up so easily. He ran a few steps towards the car but stopped when he


    saw Leandro. He looked at Seraphina and asked, “Seraphina, who is he? Why are you getting in his


    car?”


    “That’s none of your business.” Seraphina clutched her backpack, not looking at the boy, and said


    through gritted teeth, “Stop following me!”


    Leandro didn’t want to get involved with the boy any further. He hit the gas and drove away.


    Seraphina remained silent, clutching her backpack and staring at herp for a long time before she


    finally whispered, “Thank you”


    Leandro nced over at her as he drove and gave a small smile. “Was that your boyfriend?”


    “No Seraphina denied without hesitation.


    “No?” Leandro chuckled, “You’re in high school, it’s normal to date. Don’t worry, I won’t tattle on you.”


    “It really wasn’t Seraphina finally looked up, her eyebrows furrowed and a serious, wronged expression


    in her eyes.


    Leandro was surprised by the fire in Seraphina’s eyes. She, who was usually so reserved, seemed to


    be apletely different person when angered.


    He paused, taken aback, then chuckled “Didn’t expect that from you”


    As he contemted where to take her to rx, she interjected, “The teacher ims I’m involved with


    that guy, saying we’re a couple. He even spread rumors about it…”


    She hesitated, her voiceden with resentment.


    While this seemed trivial to Leandro, he reassured her, “Just give me your teacher’s contactter. I’ll


    sort it out.”


    She took a deep breath and added, “A call won’t suffice. The teacher wants a parent–teacher meeting”


    He caught the subtle undertone of her words and responded with a lightugh, “So?”


    She hesitated, clearly conflicted about sharing more.


    Observing her flushed cheeks and determined gaze, Leandro teased, “If you address me as ‘brother‘


    just this once, I’ll attend that meeting for you next


    week.”


    Seraphina turned to look at him. Leandro raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to call him “brother“.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    But she didn’t


    Lucky for her, she was a pretty girl. If she were ugly or a boy, he probably wouldn’t have been so


    patient.


    Seeing her still sulking, Leandro didn’t stop the car, he drove straight to the party.


    The party was thrown by his good friend Nics because he was courting a part–time model named


    Rachel. He opened a bridal shop for her which was set to open the next day, so he threw a small party


    the day before and invited some familiar friends.


    Leandro only learned the details when he arrived, to his surprise, all the women at the party were


    wearing wedding dresses. The sea of white was a bit overwhelming


    Feeling stifled by the atmosphere, Leandro turned to leave but was stopped.


    Nics wouldn’t let him leave so easily. He even asked Seraphina to get out of the car and gave her a


    once–over.


    “Leandro, this is too much!” Nics said, looking at Seraphina. “She’s in a high school uniform, isn’t


    this illegal?”


    Seraphina’s cheeks flushed as she took a step behind Leandro, her gaze lowered.


    “Get lost,” Leandro snapped. “She’s my sister, raised in our family Mind what you say.”


    “Sister?” Nics raised an eyebrow in doubt. Which sister of yours am I unaware of? Did you adopt


    her?”


    At those words, Seraphina’splexion paled, and she began to walk away. Seeing her reaction,


    Leandro impulsively shoved Nics aside. Rachel, ever the gracious hostess, quickly intervened to


    console Seraphina “Don’t let him bother you, he’s always been this way, spouting nonsense. Let’s take


    a walk, and I’ll show you around!”


    Leandro saw Seraphina being led into a shop by a group of her girlfriends, so he just kicked back in the


    small garden outside the store, shooting the breeze and sipping on a cold one with some pals.


    Not long after, all of Seraphina’s friends trickled out of the shop, but there was no sign of Seraphina.


    Being the one who brought her, Leandro kept an eye out. When he spotted Rachel, he asked her,


    “Where’d you stash her?*


    Rachel managed to keep herposure as she said, “She’s just a little shy about being in a wedding


    dress and wants some time alone. Let’s give her a


    moment!”


    Leandro looked skeptical. After waiting for some time and with no sign of Seraphina, he decided to


    venture into the shop to find her.


    There, in the dressing room, he found her.


    Dressed in a white, strapless wedding gown, she was nothing like those gaudy show–ofly women. She


    just sat quietly in the corner, lost in her own world.