Chapter Eighteen: The Rich Titans
Leon Hoffman stepped out of his black car and adjusted his tie.
The private clinic owned by Gabriel was before him.
Leon took a look at every detail as he walked confidently through the entrance.
The receptionist's polite smile disappeared slightly at the sight of him.
Leon didn't need to introduce himself; his reputation preceded him.
"I'm here to see Gabriel," he said, without any negotiation.
"Of course, Mr. Hoffman," the receptionist stammered, quickly picking up the phone.
"He's expecting you."
Leon was led to a private office on the top floor.
Gabriel was seated behind a massive mahogany desk, the city skyline was framing him like a portrait of dominance.
His tailored suit looked flawless.
"Leon Hoffman," Gabriel drawled, rising to his feet.
He extended a hand, his smirk looked firmly in place. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting a visit from you."
Leon shook his hand. "I came to thank you," he said simply.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow as he leaned back against his desk, crossing his arms.
"Thank me?"
"For saving Diane," Leon continued. "For protecting her when I couldn't."
Gabriel chuckled.
"Protecting her?" He shook his head. "You should be thanking her bodyguard for that. Riot seems to care more about your daughter's safety than anyone else."
Leon's jaw tightened slightly, but he maintained his composure.
"Regardless of who stepped in, she's alive. That's all that matters to me."
Gabriel's smirk widened.
"Alive, yes. But at what cost?" He lifted his head,piercingly locking onto Leon.
"Did you see her scars, Mr. Hoffman? Did you see the damage done to your precious daughter?"
Leon's eyes darkened.
"I don't need you to remind me of what she's been through."
"Oh, but I think you do," Gabriel replied in a mocking tone while playing with the pen in his hands.
"Every mark on her body is good evidence to the life you condemned her to. You sold her, didn't you? Handed her over like a transaction. Tell me, Leon, how does it feel to know your business deal left your daughter broken?"
Leon took a slow, measured step closer.
"I didn't come here to be lectured by you, Gabriel. If we're going to point fingers, let's not forget that you married her. You stood by, and she had also suffered under your roof. So don't pretend you're above all this."
Gabriel lowered his smirk a little, and for a brief moment before returning, sharper than ever.
"She's my wife now. That means she belongs to me."
Leon's stare was like steel.
"A wife is not a possession, Gabriel. She's a human being, and I'm here to ensure her safety. That's what matters."
Gabriel leaned back slightly, his smirk twisted into something more colder.
"You weren't even invited to the wedding, were you?"
Leon's expression didn't change, but there was something in his eyes—anger, or perhaps regret.
"No," he said quietly. "I wasn't."
Gabriel chuckled again, clearly enjoying the upper hand.
"So, you gave her away and didn't even bother to see where she ended up. And now you're here, trying to play the concerned father? How touching."
Leon ignored the jab.
"I'm here because I need you to keep her safe for a few months. That's all I'm asking. There are... complications in my world right now. Until I can deal with them, Diane isn't safe anywhere else."
Gabriel moved his head, widening his smile.
"And what makes you believe I won't do anything to her during that time? We're married, after all. She belongs to me."
"Don't test me, Gabriel. You may be powerful, but so am I. You touch her, and I will dismantle everything you've built, piece by piece."
"You think you can threaten me, Leon? This clinic you're standing in, this city—half of it bends to my will. Diane walked into my world, and that means she's under my control now. What can you possibly do to change that?"
Leon stepped closer, lowering his voice to an icy whisper.
"Power doesn't make you invincible. Remember that. I've taken down men stronger than you, Gabriel, and I didn't need to lift a finger to do it."
The tiger and the lion, two giants of industry locked in a silent battle.
Gabriel finally broke the silence, softening his smirk.
"Fine," he said in a casual tone but with mockery.
"I'll keep her safe, Leon. But not for you. I'll do it because she's my wife. And unlike you, I take responsibility for what's mine."
Leon straightened.
"Good. Because if anything happens to her, there won't be a corner of the world where you can hide from me."
"Noted."
"She's also going to work at my company, so don't make it harder for her."
"Fine. I won't."
Leon turned to leave, pausing at the door. "One last thing, Gabriel."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Don't underestimate Diane. She's stronger than you think. And one day, she'll surprise even you."
With that, Leon walked out, leaving Gabriel alone in his office.
Gabriel kept his smile for a while.
"What the hell is going on?" He muttered.
Thanks to his investor, he already knew who Diane's biological father was.
But for Leon Hoffman, asking to protect his daughter, and failing to do so himself...there were only two options to think of.
"One...all his assets and wealth doesn't belong to his name or two...someone is trying to kill him."