Love's Change of Heart

Chapter 72

Over at the president's office, Aidan opened the kraft paper bag and took out the documents within. After skimming through it with his eyes, he tossed it on the coffee table, and someone knocked on the door a few minutes later.

"President Pearson, the directors have all left separately," Jonathan reported.

"Okay," Aidan answered softly. "Send someone to keep an eye on them. The old man won't give up."

"Got it."

The moves Gordon made were very obvious now, and it could be said that the power-siege had reached a never before seen stage. Any sudden and unexpected situation could change the outcome of this in the end.

A short while after Jonathan left Aidan's office, the head of the security department came to him anxiously. "Mr. Stoll, there's a situation."

"What happened?"

The head of department took out a cell phone and showed him a surveillance clip.

This surveillance camera was set up a bit further away outside the main entrance of Pearson Group, but with a wider view. Even though the faces of the people couldn't be seen clearly, Jonathan could recognize Leanna's outfit from this evening with just one look, as well as Jethro, whose head was wrapped in bandages and had been hanging around outside the building for a few days.

Without further ado, Jonathan grabbed the cell phone and dashed into the president's office.

An annoyed Aidan lifted his eyes and was about to say something when Jonathan said anxiously, "President Pearson, Madam has been taken away by Jethro McKinney!"

In an instant, Aidan's expression became solemn and he rose to his feet as he headed out. "When did this happen?"

"Ten minutes ago."

"Immediately send men to look for them. Don't miss out on any of the places that Jethro always visits." The muscles on Aidan's jaw tightened, and a layer of ice seemed to be wrapped around his voice. "Especially Pantheon Club. If you find Jethro, catch him immediately."

...

Meanwhile, Jethro had brought Leanna to the outside of an underground casino. After sealing her mouth with tape, he used a strip of cloth to bind her hands, saying, "Sweetie, don't blame me for doing this. Speaking of being ruthless, you're the one who's truly ruthless. If you hadn't tricked me to that place, they wouldn't have beaten me up to this state and almost killed me, but don't worry. I'm not as heartless as you. I've found you someone who's not so difficult to take on."

When Jethro got out of the car, Ron was already waiting there for him. "Did you bring the money?" he asked.

Rubbing his palms together, Jethro sniggered and said, "I brought it. Of course I did." Then, he looked

in the direction of the car. "Isn't that money?"

Following his gaze, Ron saw a pair of beautiful but emotionless eyes through the car window.

"What do you think? My daughter is worth more than a million, isn't she?" Jethro said.

A frowning Ron grumbled, "Are you pulling the same trick again?"

"What do you mean by that? As my daughter, shouldn't she pay for my debts?" Inching closer, Jethro placed a palm next to his cheek as he whispered, "Don't worry, I've already made the contacts and the meeting point is in the hotel next door. Later, I'll immediately pass you the money once he gives it to me. I won't default on my debt."

Ron lit up a cigarette. "It's a first for me to meet a father like you. I don't think anyone will believe it when you tell them that she's your daughter."

Rolling his eyes, Jethro snapped, "How can you say that? Of course she's my daughter since my blood is flowing in her. She's not destined for a wealthy and easy life. It's her destiny that she's born as my daughter!"

Twisting his head the other way, Ron let out a snort.

Seconds later, Jethro received a call; his contact person had arrived, and he wanted him to take Leanna there.

Answering the call politely, Jethro then said to Ron after he hung up, "Did you see that? The money will be in my hands soon! If you help me to get her inside, I'll share another 100,000 with you."

"Forget it. I don't want those ill-gotten gains of yours."

However, Jethro didn't look one bit bothered. "I'm only offering this to you because of the fact that we've known each other for years. Forget it if you don't want it." After that, he opened the car door and dragged Leanna out. "Come on, sweetie."

There wasn't any emotion in her eyes when she looked at him, except for indifference.

When they had walked away, Ron looked away and put out his cigarette under his shoe. It's just her luck to have a father like Jethro.

At the hotel entrance, Jethro noticed that Leanna wasn't making a scene or a fuss, which set his mind at ease. At the same time, he thought that she looked really bad right now, so he removed the tape on her face.

However, he was a wily and crafty person, and he was worried that she would run away, so he didn't release the cloth binding around her hands.

Unexpectedly, Leanna, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly asked for help from the reception after entering the hotel.

A shocked Jethro hurriedly dragged her away and explained with a sheepish smile, "She's my daughter, but she's not right in her head." Then, he warned Leanna in a whisper, "Don't think about those useless things because you won't be able to escape tonight no matter what. Be good. If it's them, they won't care about the relationship we have as father and daughter like I do with you."

The nonchalant and indifferent look in the receptionist's eyes already made Leanna give up completely. This place was right opposite of the underground casino, and it went to show just how often these shameful and illegal deals were happening here usually.

After listening to Jethro, she sneered, "Have you really treated me as your daughter before?"

"Sweetie, I have no other choice as well. This can only be blamed on Aidan Pearson. Tell me, what's the problem if he gives me another million since he's so rich? It will be great if he's as easygoing as the last time. Then, none of this would have happened today."

"When did he give you one?" she asked with knitted brows.

"Well, that's two months ago. I can only ask him for money since you're not giving it to me," he answered, laughing in indifference. "He made it sound so good last time, telling me to leave you alone. I thought he liked you very much, but it doesn't seem that way from the looks of it now."

Startled, Leanna thought, Aidan has never mentioned this to me before. That jerk has such a vengeful personality, but why didn't he tell me about this?

While they were speaking, he had brought her to the room that was agreed upon before, and two men in suits were standing outside the door.

Pushing Leanna forward, Jethro said, "I've brought her here. Where's the money?"

A man tossed a card to him, and he furrowed his brows in disgruntlement. "Be nicer to me. Maybe I'm going to become the father-in-law of your boss in the future!" With the card in his hand, he said to Leanna, "Sweetie, don't worry. Half of the money here is for you. I won't mistreat you."

In response, Leanna shut her eyes, refusing to look at him again, and after he was gone, one of the two men in suits shoved her into the room.

As both her hands were tied together, she staggered a few steps and raised her head to look at the set up inside.

This was a room made for play and fun, showered in deep purple lights that made one's head spin, but the boss they mentioned wasn't here. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

All of a sudden, she had the urge to throw up, and she ran to the bathroom. However, nothing came out of her even though she retched at the toilet a few times.

Looking around, she saw the phone in the room, and she rushed to it and dialed the police number. Right when she was about to finish the dial, someone ripped out the phone cables.