Hey, Leo… you came," Emily said with a small smile.
Leo looked at her calmly.
"Well… you asked me, didn't you?"
Emily felt a little embarrassed.
"Uh… yes. I mean… you're usually busy, so I wasn't sure if you'd come."
"Today I finished my work early," Leo replied.
He kept looking at her.
"…You're not going to ask me to sit?"
Emily suddenly realized.
"Oh! I'm so sorry—please, have a seat."
Leo sat down.
Emily looked down, feeling nervous.
What's wrong with me…? she thought.
Every time I see him, I get nervous… just like in high school.
She sighed softly.
I wasn't the only one… he was always so popular. Every girl wanted to talk to him…
"Emily?" Leo's voice pulled her back.
"Hmm?"
"Aren't we going to order something?" he asked.
"Oh—yes, of course."
The waiter came, took their order, and left.
"So… how was your work today?" Emily asked.
"It was good," Leo replied simply.
Soon, the food arrived.
"Let's eat," Emily said.
They started eating, but Emily kept glancing at Leo.
Should I tell him…? she thought.
Or is this a bad idea…?
Her heart started racing.
I've been hiding this since high school… Celeste is right…
She slowly gathered her courage.
After finishing their meal, Leo looked around.
"This café is nice. Do you come here often?"
Emily shook her head.
"No, it's my first time."
Silence filled the space between them.
Emily clenched her hands.
This is the moment…
Her heartbeat grew louder.
Why am I so nervous…?
"Hey," Leo said, noticing her expression. "Is something wrong?"
Emily quickly shook her head.
"No… nothing. I was just thinking… the weather is nice today."
Leo glanced outside.
"Yeah… but it looks like it might rain."
Emily looked at the sky.
"You're right… it's getting darker."
Suddenly she realized—
Oh no… I almost forgot!
She looked at Leo with determination.
"Leo… I want to tell you something."
Leo looked at her seriously.
"Yeah, go ahead."
Emily took a deep breath.
"Leo, I—"
Suddenly, his phone rang.
Leo glanced at the screen.
"…It's Werren. Excuse me for a moment."
Emily nodded quietly.
Leo walked a little away and answered the call.
"Hello, Werren?"
"Leo," Werren's voice was serious.
"Seth has already started making his move."
Leo's expression changed instantly.
"What?!"
"Come to the company. Now."
"…I'm coming."
Leo ended the call and returned to Emily.
"I'm really sorry," he said.
"I have to go. Something urgent came up."
Emily looked surprised, but forced a small smile.
"Oh… okay. That's fine."
"It was really nice spending time with you," Leo said.
Then he quickly left.
Emily sat there alone.
The empty chair in front of her felt heavy.
"…I guess it wasn't the right time," she whispered sadly.
Just then, raindrops began to fall.
Emily looked up at the sky and stretched her hand out, feeling the rain.
"…It started raining."
She stood up slowly and walked toward her car.
"I feel so stupid…" she murmured.
"But… maybe next time."
She drove away.
At the company—
Werren and his assistant Rayan were waiting.
Leo arrived quickly.
"Werren! What did Seth do?" Leo asked urgently.
Werren's expression was serious.
"He's claiming that the project… was his idea."
Leo froze.
"What?! How dare he say that?! That's our plan!"
"I knew he would do this," Werren said.
"And now, it won't be easy to get those files back."
Leo clenched his fists.
"…We have to tell Father."
"He's not here," Werren replied.
"He'll be back after five days."
Leo looked frustrated.
"Then I'll call him—"
Werren stopped him.
"No. Don't. He'll get worried."
Leo lowered his head.
"…This is all my fault."
Werren looked at him.
"Leo, stop blaming yourself."
"You told me not to trust him… but I didn't listen," Leo said.
"You didn't know everything," Werren replied.
"Our company was already struggling. Even I considered asking for his help once."
Leo looked at him.
"But after I learned the truth," Werren continued,
"I refused. Seth manipulated other companies too. That's why no one helped us."
Leo's eyes widened.
"…I see."
"Your father doesn't know the full truth," Werren added.
"He was handling everything alone back then."
Leo took a deep breath.
"Then what do we do now?"
Werren looked outside at the heavy rain.
"…I'll think of something."
Leo didn't wait.
He turned and walked out.
Rain poured heavily outside as he got into his car.
His grip tightened on the steering wheel.
"That Seth…" he muttered angrily.
Moments later—
Leo reached Seth's company.
He stormed inside, completely drenched.
"SETH!" Leo shouted.
Seth turned, surprised.
"Leo? What brings you—"
"Just what do you think you're doing?!" Leo said angrily.