Chapter 439


    At the crack of dawn, Leandro’s flight touched down punctually at Sunburst City Airport.


    Stepping out of the terminal, he went straight back to the Reynolds Group headquarters.


    Leandro, after a quick change of clothes, entered the boardroom in his stride.


    Inside, the majority of shareholders were already present, awaiting the start of the routine shareholders’


    meeting.


    As Leandro crossed the threshold, he sensed an unsettling tension in the air.


    Sure enough, as the meeting progressed, the atmosphere thickened with palpable unease.


    Despite all Reynolds Group’spanies and projects running smoothly with nary a hitch, this meeting


    took a different turn, with a few shareholders nitpicking and throwing challenges his way, seemingly


    eager to hold Leandro ountable.


    Throughout this ordeal, the Reynolds n remained neutral, with the exception of Bruce, and nobody


    else spoke up in Leandro’s favor.


    This silence did not go unnoticed by Bruce, who sensed that something was amiss.


    The meeting concluded with Leandro’s expression unchanged, while Bruce looked stormy.


    Not long after Leandro returned to his office, Bruce followed.


    “What’s your take on that meeting?” Bruce inquired.


    Leandro, buried in paperwork, replied without looking up, “Some are never content, others are itching


    for a chance. It’s all pretty standard.”


    Bruce hadrgely stepped back frompany affairs in recent years. Hearing Leandro dismiss the


    tension as “standard,” his expression darkened, “When has Reynolds Group ever undergone a major


    shift without your lead? After all the effort to get here, they should be grateful, not plotting against you.”


    Leandro continued to focus on his documents, well-aware of Bruce’s approach. Thepany had


    been on shaky ground when Bruce took over, and now, despite its stability, Bruce still held out hope for


    the other members in the family.


    “Never mind the shareholders, Bruce said. “Shouldn’t we schedule a family meeting?”


    A smirk slowly formed on Leandro’s lips, “What good would that do?”


    “It might remind your aunts and uncles of theirst name, for starters,” Bruce suggested.


    “They know theirst name all too well, which is exactly why we’re in this situation,” Leandro


    responded.


    Bruce paused, taken aback, then heard Leandro continue, “Remember thest time my mother lost


    control andshed out at Valerio? Supposedly, she overheard about Valerio from your sister who was


    chatting with the housekeeper. Do you believe that was just an ident?”


    Bruce was stunned, “Your aunt has always been gentle, she wouldn’t-”


    “Not her,” Leandro cut him off, “but who else behind the scenes but someone from the Reynolds


    family?”


    Bruce’s expression hardened, “Then we must have that family meeting.”


    “No need,” Leandro insisted, “I’m curious to see what other tricks they have up their sleeves.”


    Bruce, after a moment of silence, finally spoke again, “How’s your mother doingtely?”


    “If you cared, you’d see her yourself,” Leandro countered, “If it’s just small talk, don’t bother. You


    wouldn’t care for the real answer anyway.”


    Bruce, slightly embarrassed, hesitated before speaking, “If her mood isn’t stable, my presence might


    upset her more. But if she’s better, perhaps I could visit…”


    Leandro looked up at him finally.


    “If your mother truly recovers…” Bruce started, “maybe she and I could amicably part ways.”


    “You’re too hasty, starting with a breakup,” Leandro said, abandoning his pen and locking eyes with


    Bruce.


    “I didn’t mean it like that,” Bruce quickly exined, “If she’s willing, I’d want to spend some time with


    her like friends first… It might make it easier for her to ept thingster.”


    Leandro coldly replied, “We’ll see.”


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Knowing the timing wasn’t right, Bruce let the matter rest.


    After Leandro left Summitville, Seraphina’s days should have been carefree and easy.


    Her biggest concern had been Valerio’s adjustment, but after his two days at school smoothly and even


    looking forward to it, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.


    With Valerio settled and Andrea finding sess in Summitville, Seraphina could sense Andrea’s


    satisfaction with the trip, seemingly unaffected by the Herman incident. For a while, Seraphina could


    rx too.


    Everyone around her seemed content and at peace, and she should have been happy, yet something


    felt amiss. But what was it? Seraphina wasn’t keen on delving into it.


    On Friday, ready to leave Summitville for Sunburst City, Seraphina drove Andrea to the airport. With


    time to spare, they sat down for a coffee.


    Having spent much time together, Andrea had noticed Seraphina’s state of mind and teased, “How


    about it? Why not buy a ticket and fly back with me to Sunburst City.”


    “Why go back to Sunburst City?” Seraphina challenged.


    Andrea shrugged, “Maybe you’ll feel better back in Sunburst City.”


    Seraphina scoffed, “I’m perfectly fine, thank you. No need to worry about me.”


    Andrea chuckled softly, choosing not to borate.


    Seraphina, bored out of her mind, turned her head, only to catch sight of a familiar face.


    Patrick Gray had been chatting away as he passed by, but the moment his gaze met Seraphina’s, he


    paused in his tracks.


    In the next instant, Andrea noticed him too and, after a brief moment of surprise, called out somewhat


    awkwardly, “Uncle Patrick.”


    Patrick excused himself from hispanion and approached their table, grinning. “What are the odds?


    What brings you two together?”


    After exchanging greetings with Patrick, Seraphina exined, “I’m just staying in Summitville for now,


    and Andrea’s here on business. Figured we might as well catch up.”


    Patrick nodded, still smiling. “Here I was thinking you were both headed back to Sunburst City. I just


    ran into Andrea at aworking event a couple of days ago; didn’t expect to bump into you at the


    airport. It’s been a while.”


    “You’re always swamped,” Seraphina teased. “A free spirit like me can’t always be graced with your


    presence.”


    Hearing that, Patrick’s gaze lingered on her face, and he let out a soft chuckle. “You seem much


    happier than before. A little downtime never hurt anybody.”


    Andrea, overhearing the exchange, nced between Seraphina and Patrick but chose to remain silent


    for the moment.