Chapter 290
Honestly, living like this was just too much to bear.
After a few more days, Leo just couldn’t stand it anymore. He pleaded with his captors for his medication
Once he took it, he finally managed to get some real sleep for the first time in ages.
He finally caved, telling his captors he’d do whatever they wanted. He’d say he’d just been vacationing with Mavis and Nicole.
He’d publicly declare that he’d already handed over all his assets to the two of them.
He’d give up the Hammond Group and personally install Nicole as the new CEO.
As for whether Nicole could actually become the chairperson, that was out of his hands now.
After all, even with all his shares transferred to Nicole, it still wouldn’t be enough for her to overrule the major shareholders.
Whether the Hammond brothers would let her manage their shares was something he couldn’t control anymore.
Julian didn’t need him to do anything else.
That day, Mavis and Nicole were sent to pick up Leo at a new place.
When Mavis saw Leo, she was shocked-he looked twenty years older, like he’d aged overnight.
She blinked in a daze. “How did you get so old all of a sudden?”
Mavis stared in disbelief-was this gaunt, wrinkled old man with lines etched deep around his eyes and brows really the refined gentleman she’d adored for all those years?
Leo gave a bitter, cold laugh. “This is what happens when you and Nicole team up with Julian to ruin me.”
For more than a week, he’d been unable to sleep, restless and depressed, barely able to eat. He’d wasted away, and his spirit was broken-he was a shell of his former self.
He was already in his fifties, but he’d always taken good care of himself, so he still looked refined and handsome.
But after all this torture, he looked like he’d aged twenty years overnight. Now he finally looked his age-or maybe even older, completely drained and worn down.
Right now, the people he hated most were Mavis and Nicole, and his biggest regret was ever being so blind as to marry Mavis.
Too bad there’s no undo button for regret.
Mavis took a step back, and that old crush she had on Leo was fading fast.
Sure, she loved Leo, but honestly, most of it was because of his good looks and the fancy background he came with.
Right now, she was already thinking that once she got her new villa, she wasn’t planning to have her husband move in with her.
She was about to be rolling in cash-why tie herself down to this shriveled old man?
For the first time, she looked at Leo with real disgust. “Bet you never thought it’d come to this, did you?”
Leo just nodded, not denying it at all. “If I hadn’t been so blind back then, I wouldn’t be in this mess now.”
Mavis could tell he was throwing shade-basically calling himself blind for ever marrying her.
She snapped back, “Guess you better watch where you’re looking next time.”
‘Once you’ve lost everything, even if you finally open your eyes, who’d bother with you then?’ she sneered inwardly.
Leo wasn’t fooled for a second-he could read Mavis like an open book.
Right now, besides kicking himself for not seeing people for who they really were, he just missed those days when his wife was still around, the kids were always close, and the whole family felt warm and peaceful.
And he couldn’t help but feel guilty about his daughter.
If he hadn’t been so blind about who he trusted, he never would’ve hurt his daughter so badly-it forced her to sever all ties
with him.
‘When I finally get back safe, I swear I’ll find a way to make it up to her. I owe her that much; Leo thought, guilt weighing heavy on his heart.
He was sick of even looking at Mavis and Nicole. “Just leave.”
Just looking at them for another second made him sick to his stomach.
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288 Chapter 288
Mavis glanced at the man who’d lost all his charm and youth, and found herself growing annoyed “Whatever
Once, they were the very picture of a happy couple, but now, all that remained between them was mutual disgust
Honestly, Mavis had zero regrets about marrying Leo.
At least she’d spent all these years living it up as a wealthy wife, and soon she’d be rolling in money.
She was actually proud of how she’d played her cards back then.
Mavis and Nicole brought Leo back to the Hammond house.
Kevin and his brothers had already been notified, so they were waiting at home.
When their dad finally showed up, looking like he’d aged decades overnight, the three brothers could hardly believe what they were seeing.
But even though he looked so much older, he was still their dad-they knew him right away.
Kevin reached out to support his father. “Dad, you’ve really suffered these days.”
He sighed with relief. “I’m just glad you’re home.”
All Kevin cared about was having his dad back safe. For days, they’d searched everywhere and he’d been scared out of his mind, worried he’d hear the worst.
Leo looked at his three sons, their worried faces making his eyes sting with tears. “Yeah, I’m back.”
‘In the end, it’s only your own kids you can really count on.
‘If Ally were still living here, she’d be worried sick about me, probably dragging me off to get checked out right now.
The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to smack himself. ‘How could I have ever treated Nicole, that backstabbing brat, like my own daughter-and ended up pushing Ally out of my life?’
Austin glared at Mavis and Nicole with open hostility. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here.
“Get out. You’re not welcome in this house.”
He and his brothers had been just as blind as their dad-never realizing what snakes Mavis and Nicole really were.
Mavis arched her brow. “Sorry, but you three are the ones who should be getting kicked out.”
Back then, she had to suck up to those three little punks, always careful not to step on their toes.
But now, she didn’t have to give a damn about them anymore.
From now on, they’d be the ones worrying about how to please her and Nicole.
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Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.