Chapter 276
The Love From Vengeance
276: MY BLOOD BOILING LUKEâS POV âArenât we going to talk about our project?â I quizzed Leonardo. I did hear him talk about teaming up with someone else concerning his project. Not that my company was going to fall or whatever without this guy; I just didnât want to ruin any relationships. My grandfather wouldnât want it if he were still alive.
âWhat is there to talk about?â Leonardo asked me, giving me a face that flaunted him, not caring about a damn thing here.
âThe project.â
âI told you already, didnât I? Iâm not working with your company anymore. You had your chance, but you went ahead to blow it.â
âItâs not my fault. You have to understand that I had much to care for.â
âWhat was that?â He queried.
âPersonal stuff. There were just a lot of things to take care of.â
âWell, that is none of my business. So letâs quickly end this conversation. You can start leaving now.
We donât want those men coming back again.â
âSo thatâs your decision. Youâre just going to terminate the project.â
case you h âI already did. Goodbye, Luke Reynold. So, in a new partner, you better be focused and give me attention. Just a piece of advice.
I nodded, deciding not to say anything and just letting him have his way. It wasnât a big deal anyway; I didnât want to lose business partners. But fuck it, my company was still one of the greatest in New Haven. I didnât need him anyway.
I was still standing in silence, watching Leonardo as he traipsed to his car. And all of a sudden, he was shot right in the chest. He fell to the ground instantly.
I stood there frozen, my mind unable to process what had just happened. One moment, I was having a conversation with Leonardo about our canceled project, and the next, he was lying on the ground with a gunshot wound.
I looked around frantically, trying to find the source of the gunshot, but there was no one in sight. My heart was racing, and my hands shook as I rushed to Leonardoâs side. He was struggling to breathe, his hand clutching his chest where the bullet had struck him/
Leonardo, stay with me!â I spoke, trying to stop the bleeding with my hands.
He looked up at me, his eyes filled with pain and fear. âLuke, call 911,â he gasped, his breathing getting more rapid by the second.
I fumbled for my phone, my mind in a state of panic. I didnât want this man to die like this. I needed to do something quickly, as soon as possible. I dialed the number while Leonardoâs breathing became more and more labored. I could see the life slowly leaving his body.
âStay with me, Leonardo. Help is on the way.â
But his eyes started to close, and I could feel his hand go limp in mine.
âNo, no, no!â I brought him out loudly, shaking him desperately. But it was too late. He was gone.
The sound of sirens filled the air as the ambulance arrived, but they could do nothing.. Leonardo was already gone. The police arrived shortly after, asking me questions about what had happened. I told them everything, from our conversation to the sudden gunshot. They searched the area, but there was no sign of the shooter.
The police took my statement and left, and I was left alone with Leonardoâs lifeless body. I couldnât bring myself to moveâto leave him there on the ground. I sat there, just staring at him.
This was the same man who was talking to me moments ago. Now look at himâlifeless; he couldnât talk anymore. Man, this life was really messed up. Sometimes, I felt like everything was worthlessâthe fame, the wealth, everything. But no one would be following you to the grave.
ARIELâS POV Janice and I finally arrived home. She was sleeping, and I had no plans of waking her up. But I carried her in my arms, slowly stepping out of my car. Making my way to the mansionâs entrance, one of the helpers there sighted me, and he quickly moved in my direction. He carried Janice from me, doing that gently.
âThank you,â I told him softly. He nodded and walked to the mansion. I tread on the heels of him.
When we had gotten inside, he took Janice to her room upstairs. I smiled, looking around. Then Lukeâs face popped up in my head. I hadnât talked to him since. A conversation on the phone would be really nice.
brought my phone out of my purse and began to call him. He didnât answer.
1 called him several times but got the same result. He must probably be busy, but he shouldnât be too busy to answer my calls. It could be that he was having a business meeting at the moment.
No, I donât really think so. The day was already dark. Business meetings were supposed to be carried out at a later time. I couldnât tell. There were too many thoughts, but he definitely had a reason for not answering my calls.
But then my eyes narrowed upward, and it had me frozen in shock. I couldnât believe what I was seeing. Bernardo was openly flirting with another woman. And not just any woman, but- a woman dressed in a revealing dress with heavy makeup on her face. The two of them were walking down the stairs.
I could feel my blood boiling as I watched Bernardo laugh and even playfully spank the womanâs buttocks. How could he do this to Laura? I thought he loved her. But as I stood there, watching the scene unfold before my eyes, I couldnât deny the evidence. Bernardo was cheating on his wife. And it was clear that she wasnât in this house.
I stood still, not taking my eyes off them. Bernardoâs eyes met mine. He froze, his mouth. opening in shock. I could see the guilt and fear in his eyes as he realized he had been caught.
âAriel,â he stammered, trying to find an explanation. But before he could say anything else, I cut him off.
âWhat are you doing, Bernardo?â I asked, my voice shaking with anger. âWhere is Laura? How could you do this to her?â
His face fell as he realized he had no excuse for his actions. âI donât know, Ariel,â he finally admitted, his voice trembling. âI donât know what came over me. Iâm sorry.â
But his words fell on deaf ears. I couldnât believe he would betray Laura like this. I turned to the woman, who was now looking embarrassed and uncomfortable. âAnd who are you?â I asked her, my tone icyâ
cold.
She looked at me nervously before finally speaking up. âIâm just a friend,â she stuttered. We were just having some fun.
I scoffed, not believing a word she said. I knew exactly what was going on, and I wasnât going to let Bernardo or this woman get away with it.
MY ELD *You should be ashamed of yourself, Bernardo,â I spat, my voice filled with disgust. âHow could you do this to Laura? She loves you and trusts you.â
He hung his head in shame, knowing he had been caught in the act. âIâm sorry, Ariel,â her whispered. âI donât know what to say. I messed up.â
âSave your explanation for your wife because Iâm calling her right now.â