Supreme Mars novel Chapter 70

After dinner, Marie left the villa to head back to the dorms at the university.

"You should come visit me on campus, Leo," Marie said. "I'll introduce my roommates to you."

Leo agreed, but only so Marie would stop pestering him.

Lydia seemed rather taken aback by how much Leo's relationship with Marie had progressed. "It's only been like, what, two days? You and Marie are good buddies now?"

"Maybe I'm just that likeable?" Leo shrugged, giving Lydia a playful wink. "It was the same with Emilia, wasn't it? She called me daddy the moment she saw me."

Lydia rolled her eyes. "Show off," she said, carrying the stack of dirty dishes to the sink.

Leo instantly rose to his feet. "Let me help you."

Lydia opened her mouth to protest, but something in Leo's eyes made her stop talking.

He looked so earnest and sincere that she didn't have the heart to stop him.

Moments later, they were standing side by side with each other at the sink with only the sound of running water to fill the silence between them. The air was so awkward that Lydia couldn't help but squirm.

"Our collaboration with your estranged family has been finalized," Lydia said to stifle the awkwardness. "The new plans will be set in motion in a few days."

Leo hummed and continued to wash the dishes.

"I also found an actress for the role," Lydia continued. "Her name is Michelle Brooks. You might've heard of her. She's a student of the Music Maestro."

Leo's hand stilled and he stared at his wife in surprise. "You know the Music Maestro?"

Lydia nodded. "Judith Perez, also known as the Music Maestro. Of course, I know her."

Leo said nothing after that, contenting himself with the view of the darkening evening sky.

Among the Seven Maestros of Winbury, Judith Perez was the most well-known.

Even though she wasn't involved in the entertainment business, tales of Judith resonated across the entire entertainment industry.

With her face covered in a white veil, she shocked the world with her musical talents. Under her hands, a piano became a magical tool that produced sublime melodies.

Unfortunately, Judith didn't perform for just anyone.

Her music was never about money. Leo remembered one time when a multi-millionaire offered ten million dollars to hear Judith's performance. But she refused to play for him. Naturally, Judith's refusal angered the man, and he ended up coercing her to perform for him instead. Needless to say, things didn't go well for the multi-millionaire.

Ever since that incident, Judith began wearing a veil over her head to hide her face. Other than that, one man, nobody had seen Judith's face. Nobody had the ability to make Judith unveil her face.

Which was why the fact that Judith had a disciple surprised Leo greatly. Had Michelle Brooks seen Judith's face?

"How's the job-hunting going?" Lydia's voice jarred Leo out of his thoughts. "Do you want to join Atlas Beauty?"

"That's okay, Lydia." Leo smiled. "I'll figure something out. Don't worry."

Lydia let out a gentle hum and let the subject drop.

Since they were now living together as a family, Lydia wanted Leo to have a stable job, preferably one that he'd excel in. Ideally, he would get a job with opportunities for promotion.

Meanwhile, Leo was also considering getting a job. It didn't feel right to laze around at home every day.

The sound of Leo's ringtone shattered the comfortable silence in the kitchen.

Justin Cox's name flashed on the screen.

Leo frowned. Why was he calling so late at night?

"Is something the matter?"

"Mr. Cohen. I'm calling about that thing you asked the other day."

"Go ahead," Leo said, laying the dish towel on the counter.

"Well, it's like this, Mr. Cohen," Justin said. "Vesper Corporation will be officially moving into the International Commerce Center tomorrow. Well... They're new, and they want to strike up a relationship with the owner of the place, so they're hosting a dinner party next week. And they're inviting the owners of all the businesses in the building. "

"Is that so?" Leo looked towards Lydia, who appeared to be giving Emilia math lessons in the living room. If Justin was right, then Lydia would be invited as well.

"And, obviously," Justin continued, "The owner of the International Commerce Center naturally is invited also."

Leo laughed out loud. "What's the problem, then? You could've gone on my behalf. I mean, you've always been the one to handle these things."

"That's exactly the problem, Mr. Cohen." Justin sighed. "Have you forgotten what I told you during the bidding event? I told you I'm no longer the owner of the building, remember?"

"Alright." Leo nodded. "Call Vesper Corporation to RSVP. Tell them I'll be there."

Justin sighed audibly. "Thank God."

"One more thing, Justin," Leo added. "Tell them that the Fords will be there as well."

Justin was confused by the request, but he didn't comment. "Will do, Mr. Cohen."

***

Meanwhile, Chairman Reyes was still in his office, even though it was late.

"That goddamn Leo Cohen!" Chairman Reyes growled. "It's all because of him that things turned out this way." He picked up an ash tray and hurled it across the office. It smashed against the wall, but Teresa, who was standing beside him, barely flinched at the chairman's outburst.

"He better pray that I don't find any dirt on him," Chairman Reyes snarled. "Otherwise, I'll ruin him and his entire family!"

Beside him, Teresa didn't dare make a sound.

Peter Lawson, who was sitting across from Chairman Reyes, seemed completely unfazed by Chairman Reyes angry tirade. Peter sat there quietly, seemingly content to let Chairman Reyes blow off steam. A moment later, when he was certain that Chairman Reyes' tirade had reached its end, Peter smiled at the chairman. "Come now, Mr. Reyes," Peter said placatingly. "Surely you know better than I what anger does to one's health. Please calm yourself, Mr. Reyes."

"Calm myself?" Chairman Reyes scoffed. "You want me to calm myself?" The chairman's face flushed in anger. "I just disowned my son because of that bastard!" The chairman slammed the newspaper on his desk. "And now look at what those slimy reporters are writing about us!"

Peter lowered his head and began to read the newspaper laid open on the desk. His eyes twinkled in amusement at what he saw.

Dozens of news articles had been written on Julton Pharmaceutical, each criticizing the pharmaceutical company for supplying fake drugs. Julton Pharmaceutical's reputation had taken a great hit. In fact, a lot of their retail outlets were forced to shut down due to the recent backlash. The company's share prices had also plummeted; dropping by 80% in just one day.

To avoid getting bad press, a lot of Julton Pharmaceutical's long-term associates had terminated their contracts with the company, and Julton incurred severe losses as a result.

Peter took a sip of his coffee. "This was rather well-played by Leo Cohen, don't you think? He used your own trick against you, Mr. Reyes." Peter chuckled. "As expected from the man who almost became my brother-in-law." Peter placed the cup on the coaster. "So. How does it feel to have a taste of your own medicine, sir?"

"Fuck you, Lawson!" Chairman Reyes glared at Peter. "Stop rubbing it in my face!" All of a sudden, a cold glint formed in Chairman Reyes' eyes. "You should be lucky that the media made no mention of the 316 Incident." Reyes pointed his finger at Peter. "Otherwise, you'd be in the same boat as me."

"Relax, Mr. Reyes." Peter waved his hand casually. "I've already bought several media companies. We can use the social media platforms to proclaim your innocence. I just need some time, that's all." Peter sipped his coffee again. "My top priority right now is to become buddies with the owner of the International Commerce Center. My cousin has decided to let me run Vesper Corporation, so I'll have to achieve something of consequence. Now is the best time for Vesper Corporation to rise, and I won't allow anything to get in my way." Peter's eyes slid towards Thomas. "And I'll be sure to tie up all loose ends."

Thomas snorted. "He's just an owner of a building. What's the big deal?"

Peter waved his hand casually. "I don't expect you to understand because your company isn't part of the International Commerce Center's financial network."

Thomas let out a dismissive grunt.

"Look," Peter said. "International Commerce Center houses Emerdale's core financial network. In other words, the owner of the International Commerce Center has a lot of powerful connections, including former government officers. If you're friends with the owner..." Peter smirked. "You won't ever run out of big shot clients."

Thomas was piqued. "I see."

Peter chuckled. "Look at the Longriver Group in Scion. Or the Centaurus Group in Valenham." Peter arched a brow. "How do you think these companies became so successful?"

"But what about Leo?" Thomas challenged. "He's a threat that needs to be eliminated."

"Getting rid of him isn't hard at all," Peter said with a smile. "The Fords see him as nothing but a tumor that needs to be removed."

Thomas' eyes narrowed. "You have a plan?"

Peter chuckled. "His presence has caused a rift in the family right now." Peter studied Thomas from across the desk. "I heard every person in the Ford family, with the exception of William Ford, was blacklisted by Atlas Beauty. So..." Peter smiled confidently. "What do you think will happen if I offer these people respectable positions at Vesper Corporation instead? What do you think they’ll do?"

"They'd jump at the chance to join you," Thomas said. "And they'd feel indebted to you."

"Indeed." Peter's smile turned devious. "We don't even have to do anything, you see? The Fords will help us get rid of Leo Cohen all on their own."