Chapter 163: Chapter 163

After a few minutes of silence, Eric couldn’t help but say, “If it were the Elder of a General Army, Leonard’s background must be powerful.”

Arlene was even more stunned.

How could her classmate have such a powerful background all of a sudden?

When Arlene heard the news that Leonard was imprisoned, she could hardly believe it. It seemed that a big shot had selected him, and even being imprisoned might be a ploy.

“I planned to recruit him as an instructor of my men, but there seems to be no hope,” Ryuga sighed.

“I wonder which Elder he works for. Is it Egbert Landon? If it is, that would be interesting.”

At Shoal Manor.

Rex handed a box to Leonard.

“Mr. Santos, this is the gift I bought.”

Leonard opened the box and saw a beautiful gem.

“The gem is called Angel Wings, and it is from a master…” Rex introduced.

The gem was brilliant. Leonard believed Marianna would like it, so he “Thank you. I’ll give you the money later.”

put it away.

“Mr. Santos, you don’t need to give me the money. Just take it,” Rex said.

“No way. It’s a gift for Marianna. How can I have you spend money?”

“Okay, Mr. Santos. It costs 540 thousand dollars.”

“I will give you 600 thousand dollars. Keep the rest,” Leonard said.

“Thank you, Mr. Santos,” Rex said happily.

Although Rex did not care about the money, it showed that his relationship with Leonard was getting closer.

Early the next morning.

Eileen, Jocelyn, and others came to the villa to pick up Leonard. Therefore, Leonard didn’t need Rex to drive him there.

Leonard was familiar with some people. He had met them several times before.

Leonard met some of them for the first time, and they all came forward to greet Leonard one by one.

Looking at the villa where Leonard lived, they were all amazed. After all, Shoal Manor was a symbol of status.

“This is Lara Mccarthy, and this is Anne Lynn. We’ll all ride in one car. They are all Marianna’s friends,”

Eileen introduced to Leonard.

Lara was lively and cheerful.

She came up to say hello to Leonard and did not forget to tease him, which embarrassed him.

Eileen drove a red BMW.

Lara and Anne sat in the back seats while Leonard sat in the passenger seat.

Along the way, Leonard looked at the scenery outside the window boredly.

Lara looked sweet and talked the most along the way.

Anne was quieter and more ladylike. On the way, she occasionally glanced at Leonard in the passenger seat with a trace of curiosity.

Unbeknownst to others, she happened to have read reports about Leonard.

As the president of the Santos Group, Leonard was worth more than 40 billion dollars. If he weren’t Marianna’s boyfriend, Anne would pursue him.

It was reasonable for Anne to be snobbish. Few men were like Leonard, who was young, wealthy, and handsome.

The distance from Newden to Parasoly was not close, and Eileen didn’t drive fast. It took almost four hours to arrive at Parasoly.

Eileen introduced while driving. “Parasoly has many ancient buildings and beautiful scenery. During holidays, many 14:25 tourists will be here. My dad has been planning to run a hotel here”

She followed the navigation to a restaurant.

Marianna was waiting at the entrance of the restaurant. Anne, Lara, and the other girls got out of the car and rushed towards Marianna “Marianna, we’ve traveled about two hundred miles to celebrate your birthday. Are we your best friends?”

Lara, who was cheerful, gave Marianna a big hug.

However, Marianna looked around absentmindedly. It wasn’t until she saw Leonard getting out of the car that she smiled, “Marianna, why did you choose to celebrate your birthday here? I heard that your manor covers an area of more than five acres. I have always wanted to see it,” Lara asked.

“There are elders at home, so we can’t make too much noise,” Marianna explained casually and walked towards Leonard.

“Leonard, you finally come.”

“Yes, I promised to come last time, but I was delayed by something.” Leonard explained.

Marianna smiled. “It’s okay. I know you must be in an emergency.”

Seeing the two of them standing there, the friends around them couldn’t help but tease them.

“Marianna, do you want a kiss?”

Lara smiled evilly.

Marianna blushed.

“Okay, let’s go in.”

Marianna changed the topic in time, and everyone walked inside.

When Leonard was about to step into the restaurant, he paused. He felt a few powerful men were hiding there. They were spying on Marianna.

Leonard thought, “It seems that the relationship between Marianna and her family is not as good as she said. And the birthday party was not simple.”

Everyone had entered the restaurant.

Marianna booked a floor so that they could have fun as much as they wanted.

A big cake was on the middle table.

There were several men and women. They should be Marianna’s friends in Parasoly.

Before the food was served, everyone took out their gifts.

Leonard also handed a box to Marianna.

“Happy birthday,” he said.

“Thanks.”

Marianna took the box from Leonard’s hand with a bright smile.

Then, Marianna introduced her friends on both sides.

“You are Leonard. I’ve long been looking forward to meeting you,” a tall man suddenly said.

Marianna just introduced him. He was Matt Hargitay, Marianna’s high school classmate.

Marianna frowned. In fact, she hadn’t invited Matt. He came on his initiative after hearing about her birthday party.

The girl next to him said with a smile, “Why? Matt, do you want to have a duel with Leonard for love?

Even if you win, it’s useless. Marianna has…”

“Lilia,” Marianna interrupted the girl.

Leonard noticed that Marianna looked at him with a trace of nervousness.

Matt said proudly, “Fighting is the stuff of the lower class. The people in the upper class compete by using their brains.

“However, if it comes to fighting, I’m not bad either. I’ve practiced unarmed combat, boxing, and Karate.”

While they were talking, fruit plates and drinks were prepared.

Someone suggested having a toast.

The atmosphere of the birthday party became lively.

14:26 Leonard looked at Marianna.

Although Marianna kept smiling, Leonard always felt a trace of sadness in her eyes.