Chapter 29 Trouble Comes Knocking " Do you really think you know me , Yvette ? " ทร . ( 0 ) Finished Leander's sudden question caught Yvette off guard . She blinked in surprise and then shook her head . How could she possibly understand him ? She had only met him two days ago . But she couldn't fathom why he would ask something like that out of the blue . When Leander saw her shake her head , his sneer deepened . His tone was icy . " If you don't know me , why act like you do ? This job is my business , my choice . I'm perfectly satisfied with how things are . Maybe you think you can offer me something better , but so what ? I don't need it . I've never seen you or your connections as anything more than background noise . To put it simply , I know Ms. Hollis , and that's it . As for you , we're not close . " He held the tray with one hand , his expression growing even more detached , as if Yvette's words had barely registered . " Miss Sitwell , if you have time to spare , maybe focus on your own life , or put your energy into someone else . Don't stand here trying to boss me around . I don't need you telling me what to do ! " His words were harsh and unapologetic . After all , he was the chairman of Leandrix Corp. , a man whose worth surpassed billions , with associates like Frankie - a powerhouse in the business world with connections everywhere . For Yvette to talk to him about networking was laughable . Without sparing her another glance , he turned and walked away . Yvette stood frozen , speechless after Leander's outburst . His words had hit like a slap in the face , leaving her stunned . A moment passed before she came back to herself , frustration boiling over as she stomped her foot in anger . She was usually the ice queen , always cool and reserved , rarely letting anyone get under her skin . But something about Leander's scornful dismissal had sparked a flame inside her she hadn't felt in a long time . " Yvette , why waste your breath on that jerk ? " Ginny chimed in , her voice full of disdain . " Didn't you see the way he acted , like he's God's gift to the world ? Trying to reason with him is like talking to a brick wall ! " From the moment she first met Leander , Ginny had never liked his attitude . Sure , he had saved them once , and for a brief moment , she felt a bit of gratitude . But after everything that followed , any goodwill she had toward him evaporated , and now she wanted nothing more than to avoid him altogether . " Some people wouldn't recognize a good thing if it slapped them in the face . Who needs him 1/4 19:22 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 29 Trouble Comes knocking anyway ? " 2 40 Finished Yvette watched Leander walk away without a second glance , her breath hissing out in a quiet huff . She swore to herself right then and there that she would never bother with him again . If he ended up begging on the streets , it would be no concern of hers . Madeline sighed softly . It had been years since she last saw Leander , and the changes in him were stark . The person standing before them was a far cry from the man she remembered . As she sighed , a few yards away at a nearby table , a man in a zebra - print suit sat surrounded by four burly men in black . He leaned back on the couch , exuding an air of authority , his eyes constantly drifting toward their table . Yvette was tall , striking , and carried herself with an air of elegance . Ginny was petite , with curves that could stop traffic . Madeline's natural beauty shone through even in her server uniform . The man had been watching the three women for quite some time , clearly intrigued by their presence . He gave a slight nod to one of the burly men in black beside him . " Go . " The henchman understood immediately and made his way over to Madeline's table . " Excuse me , ladies ," he said in a deep voice as he reached their table . " My boss would like to invite the three of you to join him for a drink ." Yvette , Ginny , and Madeline blinked in surprise . They had been to this bar dozens of times and were no strangers to the occasional attempt at flirtation . Usually , it was done with a bit more finesse - a polite approach , a smile , and if they declined , the would - be suitors would respectfully back off . But this kind of direct command was a first . Ginny , the fiery one of the group , waved her hand dismissively . " Come on , inister , you've got to be kidding . We don't even know your boss , so why on earth would we have a drink with him ? Do us a favor , okay ? Go back to wherever you came from and stop bothering us ." She didn't give the man a second thought . She was used to dealing with men like him ; her family was wealthy , and they often had a bodyguard or two around , so she had seen this type plenty of times . Yvette stayed silent , clearly agreeing with Ginny's stance , while Madeline felt a flicker of irritation at the man's audacity . They assumed the man would take the hint and leave , but he stood his ground , unmoved , his voice turning colder . " I'm afraid that's not an option . My boss insists that the three of you join him . " The three women followed his gaze and saw a man in a zebra - print suit with a bloated face 2/4 19:22 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 29 Trouble Comes knocking leering at them . The lecherous grin on his lips was enough to make their stomachs turn . 40 ] Finished " Mister , do you not understand plain language ? I said we're not going , okay ? " Ginny snapped , her face twisting with irritation . She repeated herself with even more emphasis . " Not going ? " The man in black didn't flinch . " Then I guess I'll just have to drag you over . " " The tone of his voice made it clear - he wasn't taking no for an answer . Yvette , Ginny , and Madeline realized he was ready to use force . Their expressions hardened in unison . Yvette , the cherished daughter of Linden Sitwell , had never faced a situation like this in her life . Before she could respond , the bar owner , Daniel Price , suddenly appeared by the man's side , his face dark with displeasure . " What's going on , Madeline ? This guy giving you trouble ? " he asked , his eyes darting between the women and the thug . He had noticed something was off and rushed over , worried Madeline might be in danger . To run a successful bar in the bustling heart of the city , one had to have some serious connections . And Daniel wasn't one to sit back and watch his own patrons get harassed , especially not someone he had his eye on . " Mr. Price , this guy here says his boss wants us to go over and have a drink . We said no , and now he's trying to force us , " Ginny explained , knowing Daniel wasn't a man to be trifled with . She laid out the whole story plainly . " Oh ? Is that so ? " Daniel's smirk deepened , his eyes narrowing as he turned to face the thug in black . " Listen , buddy , in my bar , we don't twist people's arms to get what we want . And I don't appreciate my friends being pressured . " He pointed a stern finger toward the man . " They don't want to join you , so this ends here . I suggest you step back and stop bothering them ." His voice hardened further . " And if you push this any further , I'll have no choice but to ask you and your boss to leave . My bar doesn't welcome troublemakers . " His stance was firm , unyielding . He was backed by some of the most influential people in the central business district , and no one had ever dared cause trouble in his bar . As the toughest owner on the strip , he wasn't about to let anyone harass Madeline and her friends without facing the consequences . But just as his words hung in the air - Clatter ! -a sharp sound cracked through the room . Daniel let out a cry of pain and stumbled backward . In the blink of an eye , a glass bottle had flown from the side and smashed against his forehead . " Ah ! " Yvette , Ginny , and Madeline screamed in shock . None of them expected anyone to attack Daniel so suddenly . 3/4 19:22 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 29 Trouble Comes knocking Finished Blood trickled down his forehead as Daniel struggled to get back on his feet . He glared at the man in the zebra - print suit who had thrown the bottle , his expression turning dark and stormy . " You dare hit me ? " The zebra - suited man's chubby face twisted into a sly grin as he casually snuffed out his cigar . " So what if I hit you ? If you know what's good for you , back off . I just want to have a few drinks with these lovely ladies . " He leaned forward , his voice low but menacing . " But if you keep standing in my way , I won't just stop at hitting you . I'll burn this whole place to the ground ." His words , though quiet , carried a chilling weight that made Daniel pause . There was a dangerous edge to this man , a sense of power that couldn't be ignored . Weighing his options , Daniel decided to mention his connections . " I don't know who think you you are , " he said , trying to steady his voice , " but this bar is under Mr. Harvey's protection . Are you sure you want to mess with that ? " " Mr. Harvey ? " The zebra - suited man sneered . " You mean Leon Harvey ? " He chuckled , showing off a set of yellowed teeth , his expression mocking . " Feel free to ask him if he dares cross Tobias Zimmerman . " Tobias Zimmerman . The name hit Daniel like a punch to the gut , freezing him in place . And it wasn't just him . Yvette , Madeline , and Ginny all felt the air grow heavier , their expressions shifting from shock to outright fear . Especially Madeline and Ginny , whose eyes widened as terror crept in . Tobias was the kingpin of the north side of Ravenridge , a true overlord of the city's underworld . Send Gifts 50 a H 4/4