THE BILLIONAIRE IS INFATUATED WITH HIS EX-LOVER
Chapter 9: Leon is tormented by his ex-lover

Mr. Roberts usually has breakfast alone every morning because Sara often wakes up late. However, today, as soon as he stepped into the living room, he saw Sara already enjoying her meal, "as if the sun rose in the west," Mr. Roberts remarked

wryly.

"Sara, how's your work been lately?" he inquired.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll do well with the tasks you've given me," Sara confidently replied, taking a bite of grilled meat.

"I've noticed that you've been working diligently lately. Your job must be going smoothly. Remember, life has its ups and downs. The important thing is not to lose heart," Mr. Roberts advised, looking at his daughter with a caring gaze that Sara had never entirely understood.

"I know, Dad. I'm going through a challenging time, but I have faith. You need to remember what you've promised, and I'll take care of the rest," Sara reminded him of their agreement, which made Mr. Robert chuckle. "You're just like me, always keeping your word," he said.

"Remember, Dad, I'm already happy. Now, I'll head to work. Enjoy your breakfast," Sara stood up and left, leaving Mr. Roberts wondering how his daughter suddenly became concerned about punctuality. He glanced at Mrs. Laly and then picked up the phone to make a call.

When Mark arrived at the company, Sara placed her completed report before him. Mark looked at her in surprise, as just last Saturday, she hadn't finished reading it, yet today it was not only completed but also very detailed and thorough. Sara smiled and returned to her desk, awaiting the next task.

Mark asked Sara to help him bring some documents to the finance department, and she happily agreed.

"I thought she wouldn't show up anymore. It turns out she's not easy to deal with," Leon narrowed his eyes, his cold demeanor making Mark beside him hesitant to speak up.

"You have to keep a close eye on her. She might be here not just for the project, so we must ensure that she doesn't access any confidential information. As long as she's here, we must be cautious," Leon instructed.

"If that's the case, why did you give her the opportunity in the first place?" Leon was curious, but perhaps he had posed a difficult question.

"Have I given you permission to speak?" Leon suddenly switched to annoyance; his face contorted with displeasure. Mark knew he had erred and stood still, avoiding any movement.

"In the future, if she makes any move, you must inform me," Leon ordered sternly.

"Yes, sir, I understand," Mark replied meekly.

After Mark left, Leon swiveled his chair to look out the window, questioning why he had allowed her to be near him if he had forgotten her, didn't want to see her, and doubted her.

Mark was right; Leon's past was just that-past, and it was a sad one. Many years had passed, and he should have forgotten it all. He was angry with her, uncomfortable, resentful-maybe he shouldn't be like that, but he had no other choice. And if Sara had also forgotten, why did she still want to see Leon daily? Their past romance had genuinely come to an end.

Leon closed his eyes, pondering the painful memories of both of them.

"You take this money and leave. I'll never marry my daughter to someone without parents, education, or wealth like you. You're nothing but a mud pit that my daughter might enter. If you're not here, her life will be different. I've arranged for Sara to study abroad. In a few years, she'll inherit a large fortune. What do you have to offer compared to that?"

Looking at the money before him, Leon felt no joy, as if he had won the lottery. Instead, he only saw his insignificance, which anyone could bully or look down upon. In the eyes of the Roberts family, he was just a lowly bodyguard with meager pay and no opportunity to dream big. No matter how noble Sara was, Leon felt small and insignificant. Their positions in life were set; he was merely a servant to her.

Since they met, Leon had never thought of manipulating or taking advantage of his position as a bodyguard to get closer to Sara. He only desired to be by her daily, caring for her, worrying about her, and showing genuine concern. He wouldn't have dared to be even slightly intimate if she hadn't taken the initiative to approach him.

"I'm not what you think, sir. I've never dreamed of becoming a part of your family, nor have I ever crossed the line with my role as a bodyguard. Perhaps you've misunderstood us," Leon responded firmly to Mr. Roberts's anger, showing no signs of fear.

"I don't believe you. Why, among all the boys, does She only trust and listen to you? You've taken advantage of her innocence and simplicity for your gain. I won't let this go," Mr. Roberts gritted his teeth as if he wanted to crush the young man before him.

"If you want to know, why don't you ask Sara?"

"You???" Mr. Roberts was speechless with anger.

"Take this money back, sir. I'll leave alone without taking a single penny from you. Please, have some self-respect," Leon pushed the money bag towards Mr. Roberts, decisively standing up and walking away without looking back, marking the last time they would ever meet.

Leon blinked as he felt a slight dampness in the corner of his eye. Outside, heavy raindrops poured down, reminding him of that day when a similar downpour had struck just as he left the restaurant. His thin shirt was no match for the cold water against his body in the winter weather. Seeking shelter, he stood under the awning of a nearby house. It dawned on him that if he didn't strive to change and move forward, he would spend his whole life standing under eaves, unable to enter the grand house.

Life's path was long and wide, but not everyone could tread it steadily, especially those like Leon, who was not born into privilege.

On the day Sara left for studying abroad, he had come to see her from afar, unable to utter a farewell. Their beautiful, youthful love had been buried under poverty and hardship.

Outside, the rain continued to fall, hearts continued to bleed, the atmosphere remained dreary, and their feeble love showed no signs of revival.

"I've often wondered if I had the same noble upbringing as you; perhaps we wouldn't harbor so much resentment," Leon whispered.

He didn't want his past to weigh him down, nor did he want the nightmares to haunt him at night. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't forget what he had endured.

They say a man can pick up and let go, love and give up, but how much confidence did Leon truly have in his ability to do so? His aloof exterior perhaps only masked the turmoil within.