Chapter 3
It turned out that my family's company was facing some serious issues with a project, and we desperately needed the Davidson Group's financial support.
Breaking off this engagement wasn't something I could just do on a whim, unless I could find someone even more powerful than the Davidson Group to back me up.
So, before the day even passed, I caved and called Leopold.
Though we broke up, I just wanted to ask him not to kill the investment in my family's company since our families went way back.
If I backed out, he'd finally get to be with Violet.
After my fifteenth call finally went through, I heard someone pick up on the other end.
"Ms. Kelley, Mr. Davidson is in a business meeting right now. It would be best not to disturb him," Violet replied.
I took a deep breath. Since I needed a favor, I had to be humble at the moment.
"Alright, please ask him to call me back when he has a moment," I said.
Then, Violet's voice came on, her tone twisted with mockery.
"Mr. Davidson doesn't have time for nobodies. Why don't you just show up in person?" she sneered.
Violet sent me an address, and I headed straight there.
When I got there, Violet was right by the door, looking like she'd been waiting just for me.
"Ms. Kelley, Mr. Davidson just wrapped up his meeting. He's waiting for you inside," she said.
But as soon as I pushed open the door, I saw more than a dozen people packed inside. Everyone was toasting and laughing, all the business elite gathered together.
Leopold raised his wine glass to his lips, his eyes dark with annoyance as he glared at me.
"Get out!" he snapped.
When I turned around, Violet was already gone.
I realized that she'd totally played me for a fool.
I muttered a curse under my breath and was about to shut the door when man stopped me.
He was sitting right across from Leopold, and the cold vibe coming off him was even more intense.
He barely said a word before Leopold, still clearly pissed, changed his mind and let me in.
Once I stepped into the private room, I finally got a good look at the guy who'd stopped me.
It was Eric Campbell, the heir to the Campbell Group.
He was lounging on the couch, legs crossed, but his eyes were all over me, sizing me up.
We just stared at each other for a full minute.
Suddenly, Leopold stood up and moved between us, blocking Eric's gaze from me like he was staking his claim.
Leopold shot me a glare. "Why are you here?"
I wanted to bolt out of there immediately, but I couldn't bring myself to say my request.
I could tell Leopold was seconds away from losing his patience, so I forced myself to speak up. "Leopold, about our engagement—"
"It's only been a few hours, and you're already regretting it? Danielle, are you really that obsessed with me?" Leopold gave me a mocking look, every word laced with biting sarcasm.
The whole room burst out laughing.
Everyone there had already heard the rumors about how crazy I was for Leopold. They were all just here for the show.
Seeing Leopold got the wrong idea, I rushed to jump in, wanting to set the record straight.
Suddenly, the crisp ring of a wine glass cut through the air.
The laughter stopped cold.
Eric rose to his feet, adjusting his coat, a faint smile touching his lips.
But in his eyes, there was a flicker of anger.
"Mr. Davidson, since you are busy, let's just wrap things up here for tonight," Eric declared.
As Eric strode away, the whole crowd in the private room immediately followed him out, leaving the place suddenly quiet.
Violet seized the moment and hurried over, her voice laced with grievance.
"Mr. Davidson, I'm sorry. It was my fault I couldn't keep Ms. Kelley from coming in," Violet said.
Leopold waved her away, giving a tired gesture as he massaged his aching temples. He looked absolutely exhausted.
He'd worked hard to get Eric to attend tonight's business gathering.
The Campbell Group was hell-bent on snagging a piece of land out on the west side of the city. Leopold had been hoping to negotiate a compromise.
But now, thanks to Danielle, everything had gone sideways.
Already in a bad mood, he couldn't help but let his frustration spill over onto her.
"Don't make me say it again. Just get out of here!" he snapped.
I never thought Leopold would lose his temper at me like this.
Back then, even if he disliked me, he'd just give me the cold shoulder, never once lashing out at me like this.
His shout hit me so hard I jolted, and before I even realized it, tears were already blurring my vision.