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The untouchable heiress he regret losing - Chapter 24



Chapter 24


Rules and Risks

Leo’s POV

The drive to our house was the most relaxing one I have had in a long time. My fingers tapped the steering wheel in rhythm with the low jazz playing from the speakers. I couldn’t stop smiling as I drove through every hill and sloppy ground.

Zane’s signature on that contract was more than just a stamp–it was a rope he willingly tied around his own neck. His own greed had been used against him. The city blurred past, but all I could see was Zane’s face as he read through the contract. He didn’t even flinch at the idea that he could lose everything he had worked for with just one scandal. He was too greedy to see the trap. A man like him is too proud and arrogant to imagine he can fall.

I paused outside the gate of the house in a bid to rehearse how I would face Zara after the incident and what I would say to her to make things okay between us. Everything here was poised, beautiful, and too homely. Strange how a lie could begin to feel so real.

Her father had now stationed guards around the compound. They let me in without question. I parked and stepped out, the gravel crunching beneath my boots. The air smelled of jasmine and warmth.

Zara was already there when I walked in, seated with a mug of coffee in one hand and a paper in another, her expression unreadable. She looked up at me, her expression still cold.

“Welcome, Mr Armstrong, please have your seat.”

I looked around, stunned. Mr Armstrong? Are we no longer on a first-name basis?

I guess she must have drawn a huge line between us because of what I said to her last time. I regretted it in that moment. The last thing I wanted was to draw a line between my partner. I mean, we wouldn’t be able to cooperate well enough if things were cold between us.

I tried to meet her gaze, but she took her eyes off me instantly. I proceeded to take my seat as I dropped my bag beside me. Then she extended the paper she was holding to me. I took it, and confusion flooded my entire face.

“Rules?” I looked up at her, my brows furrowed.

“Yes, Mr Armstong. Those are our rules for living together. This is business anyway, and that is more proof that I don’t want you for myself as you implied last night. I was also coerced into doing this,” she said, her tone clipped and distant.

“Zara, I–” I started, wanting to apologize to clear the cold air between us but she cut me off, not harshly, just detached.

“You don’t need to apologize, Mr Armstrong,” she said, placing deliberate weight on my name.

“I should be the one apologizing for the inconvenience of having to share a house with me. I mean, this wasn’t part of our alliance plans from the beginning.”

I looked back down at the paper. I saw that she had signed her part already without even waiting for me to read the whole thing.

“So, according to the contract, we would have separate rooms. There was just one room before, but I was able to turn the laundry room into a bedroom for you. It’s quite spacious anyway, so it’d be comfortable.”

That wasn’t even what surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to sleep with her in the same room. But other terms were just too mechanical, like rules an employer would give to his employee to keep things professional.

Respect each other’s personal space
Public Affection Only When Required
No Interference in Each Other’s Personal Lives
Duration: 6 Months to 1 year (or until both parties get what they need)
Exit Clause: Mutual agreement to dissolve the contract after the mission is complete
No Attachments. No Complications.

I looked at her for a beat too long.

“You went through such lengths to prove me wrong?”

She held my gaze unwavering.

“I did this to protect myself and my image because what I also hate is someone taking me as who I am not.“

“Oh really. But you did a background check on me. That should be my line.”

“And I apologize for that. It won’t happen again, Mr Armstrong.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Please call me Leo.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“Yes, Zara,” I replied.

I pulled out my pen and my signature bled onto the paper. Blank ink, a cold hand, and with a cold heart.

“Well, enough of contracts, let’s talk about victories,” I said, trying to change the topic.

“Today marks the beginning of the end of Zane.”

Her eyes widened in excitement.

“Zane signed the contract I told you about. No edits, no delays.”

“He actually signed it?”

“Oh, yes, he did,” I said, loosening my tie and placing it on the arm of the chair beside me.

“With hands shaking and sweat all over his face like a man on trial, and it was so beautiful to watch.”

She stared at me as though she was in awe of how efficient I had been, and she turned away more quickly than I expected, but I caught a twitch at the corner of her mouth—barely a smile, but it was there. And that meant something.

I wondered why she didn’t look victorious enough, though. I thought we would celebrate with a glass of wine as the first step to achieving victory.

The silence became heavier than the air between us.

“Zara?” I asked gently.

She turned to me, her voice low.

“Madilyn’s watching us. She sent this text to me last night,” she said as she handed me her phone with the messages app open.

“Not that I am scared of her. I have put her in place, but I can’t shake off the thought that everything we have planned could go wrong the moment she finds out we are in a fake engagement and tells my dad. The entire company and press could find out, and that would be bad for both of us.”

She continued with worry etched onto every corner of her face.

I smiled faintly.

She raised an eyebrow.

“Is there something funny about that?”

“We knew the odds before lying to everyone, didn’t we? We might as well get comfortable in it and not be constantly on the edge. Not only is Madilyn watching, the entire world is.”

“We just have to sell this story. Publicly, of course.”

She got up to leave where I was, but I caught her wrist gently. I don’t know why I did. I just suddenly wanted to comfort her, but she froze and blinked at me. We both looked down at the spot where my hand touched her. Her skin was soft and warm, but her pulse rose immediately.

“Are you forgetting the rules? Personal space?”

“Ohh,” I said, as I quickly let go of her wrist.

“I just wanted you to know… you’re not alone in this and you have nothing to worry about.”

Something passed between us. Something unsaid. She blinked hard like she was trying to block her emotions. Then she nodded gently and walked out without another word.






Chapter 25


Plans to Take Over

Zara’s POV

I woke to comfy sheets and sunlight. I could feel the warmth of the morning sun peeping through the crisp curtain, revealing golden streaks across the room. I opened my eyes slowly as if someone were trying to wake me up from a long, deep sleep.

Then it came back to me.

The contract. The look I couldn’t quite name on Leo’s face when he saw it. And the second look he gave me when he said I wasn’t alone.

It probably wasn’t anything serious. Whatever passed between us was just a mere consolation because we have one purpose and a common enemy. But he was one very confusing man. One minute, he is cold and drawing lines; the next minute, he doesn’t understand why the lines were drawn.

I could have done this without the use of any contract, but I needed to protect whatever I had left of myself after he blatantly misjudged me. I wasn’t hurt—just extra cautious.

Caution isn’t weakness. It’s survival.

I swung my legs off the bed, sat at the edge, and gave my neck a quick massage. The silence in the house was loud and almost too peaceful for two people. I checked the time.

8:00 a.m.

With very gentle steps, I tiptoed down the stairs into the living room—only to be caught off guard by a shirtless Leo.

“Oh shit!” I quickly turned back, shutting my eyes tightly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were awake. I didn’t hear any sound.”

“Oh… okay… okay,” I stammered, waiting for him to get dressed or something.

I heard him go into his room and knew it was safe to turn around when he came back out.

I turned back slowly, hands still half-covering my eyes, then let out a heavy sigh in relief.

I followed the scent of brewed coffee that called out to me. He offered me a mug wordlessly, but on a closer look, it was black coffee. Bitter and unwelcoming.

“What? You don’t like it?” he asked, reading the displeasure on my face. “Do you want any additives?”

I nodded with a smile. I walked over to the fridge, and as I was about to bring out the milk, his hand landed on mine—we had both reached for it at the same time.

Our eyes locked for a beat too long. Heat rushed through my hand like a live wire.

We quickly pulled away, stepping back from the fridge. An awkward silence hung between us like an unwanted guest.

“Sorry,” he broke the silence with a low chuckle. “I keep breaking the rules, huh?”

He was right. But I didn’t entirely want our relationship to be that mechanical and scripted.

Still, what could I do? I was the one who had served him a list of rules.

I poured milk into the mug and stirred it more than necessary to steady myself. He passed me a plate of toast and avocado. My favorite.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Anytime,” he replied, pouring himself another cup of coffee and leaning against the counter like he was in his own world.

But I could feel him stealing glances at me while we ate. Anytime I pretended to look up, he would quickly look down.

Did he think I was the cold one here?

He knew everything about me even before approaching me. Yet I knew so little about him.

He finished his coffee, set the cup down, and cleared his throat.

“So, our next move,” he said, his face lighting up.

I nodded slowly, setting my mug down. “I’m listening.”

“Part of my contract with Zane is that, as an investor in Wesley Group and his secret project, I get to recommend any brand of my choice to set up shop in Wesley Group. I also automatically become a director and member of the board.”

I took a slow bite of my toast. “So what are you suggesting?”

“You, Zara.”

I dropped my toast. “Me?”

“Yes. Z.S. Empire.”

My eyes widened in realization. He caught the expression immediately.

“That’s why I’ve been investing in Z.S. Empire,” he continued. “To build it into something powerful enough to stand as the company we’ll use to enter Wesley Group legally.”

“Wow,” I whispered. “This would make our work faster. I’d have more power and influence—as the heiress to Smith Holdings.”

“Exactly,” he smiled faintly.

I really looked at him then. He looked like a man who had been waiting for this moment his entire life. For all his coldness and mystery, he was calculated. Intelligent. Strategic.

“You’re enjoying this a little too much,” I muttered.

“I’m just excited that I’ve come this far after te—”

He stopped abruptly. His face went still.

I searched his expression, but it turned blank. There he was again. Walls up.

“Leo,” I said slowly. “After what?”

He blinked too fast, eyes darting as if searching for an answer in the kitchen cabinets.

“Uh… I meant after all we’ve been through.”

“Oh,” I murmured, pretending to understand. But suspicion curled quietly inside me.

“But, Zara,” he added, his voice lower now.

“Being director of your clothing line inside Wesley Group would come at a price.”

“A price?”

He hesitated.

“To be strong competition there… you might have to start modeling again.”

The words hit harder than I expected.

Pain surged through my ribs. I had been avoiding that topic. When the press asked about it, I froze. Modeling was the one thing I swore I would never return to after the donation years ago.

I didn’t know if I was ready to reveal my scars to the world again.

I didn’t know if I could survive being reminded of who I used to be.

A wife.
A daughter.
A divorcee.
A woman who lost her baby.

“But if you can’t,” Leo began carefully, “we’ll find another way—”

“No.”

I cut him off sharply.

I chose this path.

And I would do everything it takes to bring Zane and his empire down.

Even if it meant reopening wounds I fought so hard to close.






Chapter 26

The Heiress Infiltrates

Zara’s POV

Our sleek black Limo pulled up directly in front of Wesley Group like it belonged there. Like we belonged here. Because it was now ours to control. From outside, the glass building was tall, shiny, grand, and clearly built on the sweat and blood of innocent victims of the Wesley family. I could feel a dry sensation in my throat as I stepped out of the car in black heels and a crisp cream gown, showing my frame, and Z.S. Empire’s logo shining bright on the file I held.

Beside me was Leo, who matched my aura in a charcoal black suit, exuding power and control as it should. He didn’t say much on our way here, but gave reassuring glances and soft smiles to encourage me. I didn’t expect it, but I appreciated the gesture. He then took my hand in his as we walked into the company, accompanied by both our assistants. Some men in black rushed to stand sideways as we made our way in, and they each bowed in honour of our presence. This was it. Power.

But just as we continued in entrance, a little boy who couldn’t be over three years old ran to our front as he was chasing his toy that rolled across the floor, falling in his tracks. I quickly let go of Leo and rushed over to help him. I lifted him up, and saw his cute little face. Those eyes called out to me in a way I couldn’t explain. It made my chest tighten. It felt like I knew this young lad, but I had never seen him before.

“Hey, little guy…” I brushed the dust off his clothes and got his toy for him.

“Thank you, miss,” he said, his voice laced with warmth.

But before I could reply him, a voice called out to him.

“Lucas! What are you doing there?”

I looked up and saw Elora. What could she have to do with such a sweet child?

“Mum!” the boy called out in response.

Mum? I gasped.

Was he Zane and Elora’s child? The child he took my blood for? My stomach twisted at the thought. Was that why his eyes called out to me, because he’s Zane’s? My face became drained of colour. If my child with Zane were still alive, he would be the same age as this young boy.

Elora walked briskly to where we were, her heels clicking rapidly, and grabbed her child from beside me as though I were trying to kidnap him.

“So you came back for my husband, and now you’re coming for my son too?”, Elora snapped, her voice as sharp as glass.

The little boy glanced at his mum and back at me. He looked like he could also feel enmity towards me at any moment from now. I wondered why she would carelessly talk about adult problems in front of a child.

I walked closer to her and whispered in her ear.

“Elora, you don’t have to be threatened by me. Your end will naturally come.”

I let out a smirk and walked away from her.

Leo walked over to me, his eyes scanning my face.

“What was that?” he asked.

“It’s nothing you should bother about. Let’s go.” I said, letting out a smile.

We entered the lobby hand in hand, poised and commanding respect. The receptionists exchanged glances, wondering who we were. Whispers stirred around us like a looming whirlwind. They were right to wonder, as even the leaders of this company didn’t have any idea we were coming and planning a corporate coup very soon.

We got into the elevator and made our way to the second-to-top floor, where top executives of the company were stationed. As we were in the elevator, I couldn’t help but remember the days I happily cooked lunch and rushed over to hand it to Zane. We would leave his office and take a stroll outside to eat lunch together, steal kisses behind closed doors, and sometimes have intimate sessions in his toilet. Those were our days as newlyweds, and maybe that’s why I couldn’t see the snake underneath his perfect skin.

We got off on the eighth floor and walked towards Zane’s office. As soon as we got to his office, Leo told me to wait outside. He entered and talked with Zane because I could hear muffled voices from where I stood.

Then Leo called out for me.

“Come in.”

I inhaled a deep breath and flung the door open. Zane’s posture was confident and bossy until his gaze landed on me. His eyes widened in a split second of disbelief.

“Zara, what are you doing here?”

“So as I said, the brand I would be pulling in as an investor is Z.S. Empire, owned and managed by Miss Zara Smith, standing here before you,” Leo said, and I could hear the pride in his voice.

I smiled at Zane, keeping my gaze on him. He cleared his throat and began adjusting his collar and cufflinks in nervousness. He did that whenever he was anxious. Good. That was one of the reactions I was dying to see.

“Well, well, let’s get down to business and sign whatever document needs to be signed,” Leo instructed.

I placed the file that contained everything Z.S. Empire was about on the table. We all sat down and read through the contracts. I could see Zane continually stealing glances at me as though he were in awe that I could go from someone who was an ordinary housewife, packing lunch for him, to someone he now exchanged signatures with and sat at the same table to discuss business.

“I believe you know I would be joining the board as director,” I looked intently into his eyes but he avoided mine.

“Yes, I know that,” he muttered.

We tied up all loose ends and proceeded to our new offices, which were just opposite each other. They were all shades of beautiful and welcoming. Leo entered his office, and before I could get into mine, I felt a pull from the back. It was Zane.

“Zara, what are you doing? Are you trying to get back at me?”

I scoffed and rolled my eyes at him.

“You must really think everyone and everything revolves around you, uh?”

He lowered his gaze and blinked fast.

“What? You prefer the Zara who sat at home and waited for you to come back every day?”

“Yes!” he thundered at me. “Have you seen yourself? I don’t recognize you again. And can’t you see that Leo is using you for his own interest?”

“I let him use me!” I screamed at him before holding myself back so I don’t overspill.

“And the fact that you don’t recognize me shows I’m doing something right. What did you expect after breaking me, taking everything I owned, and killing my child?”

“You haven’t even seen the full me yet, Zane. Remember what I told you days ago? Brace yourself.”

“Zara–”

I didn’t respond but turned back to check out my office.

I could feel his burning gaze as I walked away.

Let him burn. Because I was done being his victim.






Chapter 27

Back In The Web

Leo’s POV

As soon as I set foot on the marble floor of Wesley Group’s lobby, a strange familiarity struck me like lightning. It was like stepping into a world I had tried to run away from for ten years. The air was still filled with that same scent of cold ambition, greed, and exploitation of the weak. It hadn’t changed much. The floors were beaming as always, and the receptionists still gave fake smiles while hurting deeply, not knowing when their next paycheck would arrive.

A lot of workers in the past have involved labour and employment lawyers to fight for them, but Wesley’s legal group always found their way out of each case, either by bribing the lawyers or paying the union leaders a sum of money to silence the workers. Ten years. Ten years since I last walked through this setting as Leo Wesley—the boy who was once trained to inherit the evil kingdom, but vanished when he could no longer take it. I was young, furious, and far too clueless about how to handle company matters and how brutal the world of suits and files should be.

I remember being dragged away by the security through these very doors to one of Brad’s lonely villas to be alone, which served as punishment when I wasn’t getting my balance sheet right.

“You will be my heir one day,” he said, his face fuming with anger. “You have to be smart and quick! Who do you take after? It has to be that slow mother of yours.”

I hated it when he insulted my mother, and that pushed me to offend him more and not do his bidding. He often humiliated my mother around the company anytime she tried to correct him or do things her own way. He kept these going till she retired and left the company to take care of me at home. My father didn’t always use to be like that while I was growing up. They seemed to be a happy couple until everything suddenly changed when I got into high school at nine years old.

I instantly snapped back into reality when Zara let go of my hands. A little boy dashed across the floor and tripped. Zara, without hesitation, rushed to help him. It brought warmth to my heart for a second when she knelt and spoke to the boy gently as she brushed the dust off his clothes. In that moment, anyone could mistake them for mother and son. It unconsciously made me miss the affection my mother showed me when I was that age. Not that I remembered much from that age, but the lullabies were enough to tell me I was so loved. She looked like something I’d never dared to want or thought of having. A woman who could put together broken things even while plotting vengeance. But I reminded myself that this was just a young lad and his toy. I was too broken for any woman to fix me. I doubt she’d even stay when she knew the whole truth about me.

She clutched the file with the Z.S. Empire logo on it like a weapon of war, and in a way, it was. She hadn’t given me any reason to regret approaching her for an alliance because of all the victims of Wesley that I researched, she was the perfect fit. Betrayed, torn, divorced, and a lost child.

I saw the change in her mood and face when Elora called the lad her son. It must have made her think of her dead child with Zane. Zane really fucked things up with this woman. How could he have such a golden ticket to a good life of not just wealth but true love and care, and just choose to waste it?

As she walked back to me, I saw the pain and the restraint she tried so hard to hide. Even though we had rules not to intrude into our personal spaces, I hoped she would talk to me about how she felt in that moment, even if our plans had to wait. I asked her what that was all about, so she could spill, but she said it was nothing, further reinforcing the line between us.

As we walked into the elevator, I kept glancing at her through the mirror panels till I was sure she was okay and ready to proceed. We rode up to the eighth floor. Argh, that damn floor. A lot of memories I wanted to stay buried would cross my mind again on getting there, because it used to be Brad’s office. He often argued with board members and sometimes brought in escorts. He was that unruly, even in the workplace. It’s no surprise that Zane takes after him. I’ve never been so glad to take after my mother.

I entered Zane’s office first. He stood up like a man who would stop at nothing to have his way. Only if he knew that this throne wasn’t permanent. I watched colour drain from his face as I invited Zara as the director of the new subsidiary company, which I would be pulling in as an investor. As the conversation of contracts started, I caught him stealing glances at her, nostalgic ones like he was longing for her, and that caused a large irritation in the pit of my stomach. He didn’t deserve to look at her like that. Not after everything.

After the meeting wrapped up and Zara walked to her office, I knew what time it was. I slipped away to the quiet staircase where I was sure no one would pass, given the working elevators. I picked out my phone to ring my mole strategically placed in Wesley for the last three years now. He was one of Zane’s most trusted men, who sometimes had to do Zane’s dirty jobs to gain his trust. But all that won’t go to waste, because he had been keeping evidence that Zane had no idea about.

He answered the call.

“You’ve seen me, haven’t you?” I asked him.

With a low chuckle, he answered me.

“Leo Armstrong returns like a thief in the night. Welcome home, boss.”

I smiled softly.

“Thank you for holding up for this long, Kelvin. It’s time.”






Chapter 28


Time To Play Dirty

Elora’s POV

What could that brat be doing here? I couldn’t stop pacing back and forth in my office as I thought of all the possibilities. The air felt heavy as I replayed the scene earlier in my head. That witch, holding my son and smiling like she had good intentions toward him. Only the heavens could know what evil thought she had concerning him. I exhaled slowly, steadying my thoughts. I had to go to Zane to find out. I couldn’t just sit around and wait. I hurried to his office and opened the door with force.

Zane looked up at me with raised eyebrows. “Can’t you knock?”

I folded my arms and didn’t answer.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were meeting Zara? If my sources didn’t tell me she came here, I wouldn’t have known.”

“Your sources…Are you spying on me now? Is that how paranoid you have gotten?”

I dropped my hands to my side, looking for the right words to say. “You left me no choice. You’ve been quiet and more distant since Zara came back, and you don’t expect me to be watchful of your every move?”

“You have no right to, Elora!” He screamed at me.

“I’ll only let you know whatever the fuck I want,” he added. I bit my lip in pain. “Fine,”

“Do whatever the fuck you want!”

I left his office and grounded myself so people wouldn’t stare at me.

I pulled out my phone from my pocket and dialled the number of the one person who listens to me the most. Mason.

“Hey, meet me at the usual place. We need to talk.”

I told the driver to take the day off, so I would drive myself to our usual location. Over the years, I have had to make sure Zane doesn’t catch on to the fact that I was still meeting my childhood lover. Although I didn’t feel anything towards Mason again, I couldn’t risk the misunderstanding. Not when Zane was my insurance.

The private lounge at Veridian Tower. Mason and I used to escape there as high school students when homework seemed difficult and the houses too choking. He was my breath of fresh air whenever I had a bad day. Till today, we still go there anytime either of us is tense.

Mason was already there waiting when I arrived. He was dressed in a casual vintage shirt that gave away his cool and collected aura. His fingers were tapping impatiently on the table. His eye bags were so visible that I could tell he had had sleepless nights. Probably ones I forced on him.

As I approached, he waved and smiled at me, but I gave him a stiff nod to remind him of his place. “Hi, Mason.”

I sat on the seat opposite him as I adjusted my suit.

“Hey, Elora, it’s really good to see you,” he said as he took my hands into his palms.

“Yeah, you too,” I said, removing my hands from his grasp.

“Can you believe Zara and her fiancé waltzed into Wesley Group today?”

“Really?” he asked, leaning into the table with piqued interest.

“Zane didn’t tell me exactly what was going on, but I trust my other source to deliver once she gets more information.”

“You might want to see something more juicy.” He slid his tablet across the table towards me and tapped a few times, then pulled up a photo.

It was an image of Zara at a bar, sitting very close to a man who had his hands on her lap. I blinked, then let out a soft chuckle.

“She was an escort? And she dared to come back and act all high and mighty like she’s better than the rest of us?”

“It gets even better,” Mason said as he swiped to the next image, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

I froze at the sight of this one. I sat back, too stunned to speak. The scene forming in my mind was deliciously wild.

“So she didn’t just let a man touch her, but she messed up her body too?” I kept staring at the picture of Zara clearly following a man into a hotel room.

A rush of victory surged through me as I rubbed my palms together.

“I want it out, immediately.”

“Before she continues to rise higher, let her drown in her own scandal.”

I reached out for my cup of juice, swirling the ice slowly with the straw inserted into it.

I gazed at Mason mischievously. “She wouldn’t know what hit her.”



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