Chapter 269: Temporary Truce.
Leo thanked the people who had agreed to help him to look for Lily. While he was doing this a couple of cars arrived with study men sitting inside. They were professional bodyguards, but when these men looked at Leo, they shivered, his rage has resurfaced from being in close proximity with Socrate Primal.
The middle-aged man stepped out of the car, and flinched a little upon sensing a cold gaze onto his person. He spotted a young man leaning against the wall with a wild vibe about him, and he recognized the man, it was Leo.
Socrate had done complete homework when he attacked the Cardinal family back then. However, at that time he never expected that this young man would have gone to such a change after surviving what happened. However, thinking that he had been scared by a defeated general, his pride slapped back in his face.
Socrate recollected his bearings and approached Leo with great confident strides. They stood five meters away, and the guards beside Socrate were on alert the whole time. Socrate asked, "Where is Matilda?"
Leo looked at him with a sneer on his lips and asked, "Do I need to remind you what this place is and how you must behave?"
Socrate frowned and he was about to instruct his guards out of habits when the guard leaned over and whispered, "Master, there are no less than eight guns aimed at our heads."
Socrate opened his eyes wide for a second, he was shocked. He came from a super wealthy family, although over the years they have procured weapons but they were never guns. His guards were equipped with kevlar and so was he, but having guns was something completely unexpected for him.
He understood the reason behind Leo's confidence. The young man said, "Now, repeat what you just said and see if I have my men dare to shoot you."
Socrate took a deep breath and calmed his mind before he said, "I came here to fulfil the deal that you made with my father, Master Bishop Primal. Please hand over the captive, Young Master Cardinal."
Leo was stunned and he laughed for a moment before he said, "You sure are a wuss compared to your son. That foolish guy at least knew how to act like a man."
He deliberately provoked Socrate, he wanted to see how tight was the leash around his collar. The result was that Bishop basically held Socrate's neck in a vice like grip. This assured Leo that as long as Bishop was alive, they wouldn't be attacking his family.
He sighed and said, "Wait here, they will bring her over. You should take her to the hospital first."
Socrate clenched his fist and asked, "What did you do to her?"
Leo replied calmly, "I slapped her so hard that her bitchy face broke, her jaw is fractured, and a couple of ribs as well. Have her checked for concussion and other things."
Socrate moved half a step forward, his eyes have turned red, and Leo took complete two steps as he stood just a few inches apart from Socrate as he said, "I can really kill you right now, with my bare hands. That bitch would have died as well for trying to corner me by having my daughter kidnapped. Had it not been for the fact that I wish to avoid conflict with you fools, I would have slain her."
His voice didn't waver, and his gaze was firm. He spoke the truth and everyone of Socrate's guards were regretting coming over to this place.
Leo then raised his hand and snapped his fingers, Simon was waiting for this and he gestured for a few men to help Matilda out of the back door. They handed the woman to the guards and Socrates was unable to shiver. It was hard to guess if he was shivering from rage or grief that his beloved has fallen into such a state.
The obsessions of men over the ones they truly loved were clearly somethings that could not be understood with common logic. Leo watched as Socrate sat inside the car, and then drove away but not before glaring at him.
Leo called the Primal mansion again and this time the call was picked up by Bishop Primal himself. The old man said, "I have received confirmation that you have upheld your end of bargain. I will give you my word, the Primal family will not come after you."
Leo replied, "I hope for your sake, you won't, Old Sir. While I am not looking for trouble, I am not afraid if trouble comes looking for me. Hope you have a good day and stay well."
The call was disconnected and then Leo turned to enter the pub where he was going to change his clothes and go back home with Snow. He was anxious to see if Lily had woken up.
...
Bishop Primal was leaning back in the leather wheelchair as he gazed out of the window.
Amor stood beside him and asked, "Sir, are we really going to give up on teaching that man a lesson?"
Bishop sighed and replied, "Amor, while talking to that guy I realized that I have gotten old and there is still much work left to do. The family system needs to be reformed and it must be done before my time runs out. I am not eternal, but the name of the Primal Family should stay and make a mark.
The youngsters are too volatile, and that son of mine, he is a waste. To think that for a woman he was ready to give up the business in Angkor City just like that. Humph, it is all my fault for sticking to the old ways. Tch, well forget it, for now the prime focus is to milk Matilda Luger, she is an asset that the Luger family cannot bear to lose.
Also, while I have given Cardinal my word, do you think that Hermann Luger would do the same? His crown jewel has been battered into a scratched quartz, how will that old man swallow this breath."
Amor smiled and replied, "Your moves are still far ahead from what I can comprehend, Master."
Bishop smiled faintly and said, "Brown nosing me would not get you a raise Amor, keep an eye out on those kids, I want there reports daily, every single one."
Amor nodded and then he began to prepare tea for him.
...
Leo and Snow came back home and found Lily embracing Anastasia, the little girl appeared calm but she had some worries on her face. Leo sighed and looked at Snow, who nodded and they approached Lily. The little girl sat up from Anastasia's embrace and asked, "Did you got to meet Sister Zeenat?"
Leo came closer to her and said, "We were thinking of going there with you. She is out of surgery. Uncle Jock told us that she is fine. I thought that after what happened, she might love to know that you are safe."
Lily thought for a bit and nodded, the good thing was that she didn't see any blood shed clearly and the assailant has knocked her out.
Leo picked her up in their embrace, he could still feel her gently shivering and he said, "Baba and Ma are always here. No harm will come to you. Don't worry."
Lily nodded and snuggled in his chest while covering herself in the dark. She was sensible but she still needed some time to process what happened to her. The couple got in the car and they drove to the biggest hospital of the city, the first people's hospital. This was an state owned hospital and was top notch.
Jock was already waiting for them on the main gate, he directly led them to the fifth floor where Zeenat was resting. She had been taken to the VIP ward directly as her condition wasn't critical.
The people in the hospital all thought some big government official had arrived with a dozen of strong guards. Leo and Snow checked and found that Zeenat was looking at the ceiling in a daze. The young lady neared the bed and asked softly, "Zeenat, what are you thinking about?"
The guard turned to look at her and said, "Madam, I failed to protect Young Miss from that man. I had been feeling that everything about that man was too normal. However, I still failed to see the signs. I don't deserve your concern, Madam."
Snow shook her head and patted Zeenat's hand gently as she said, "You almost died trying to save my daughter. I can't express my gratitude and respect for you with simple words. See, Lily is safe."
Leo stepped up and said softly, "Lily, see your Sister Zee is about to cry with snot flowing out of her nose."
Lily raised her head to look at Zeenat curiously and then looked at Leo as she said, "She is not crying, Bad Baba."
Leo smiled and tussled her hair gently as he made her sit next to Zeenat and said to the latter, "I am expecting that you get back to your feet soon so that I can still have you look after Lily. I am sure she would love to have you back as well."
Lily nodded and said, "Sister Zee, you had promised to help me sneak out for ice cream when I grow up, you have yet to fulfill it."
Zeenat nodded with her eyes closed, as she cursed her ability to express emotions.
…
One week later, Leo had come to the office building and he was holding a big meeting with the entire group. Something big was coming.