Edwin hesitated briefly, and then nodded. "He's acting irrationally.

Trying to side with the Smith family to make Alexis concede."

Laura was taken aback.

She softly asked, “Isn't he afraid of upsetting Alexis, or your uncle confronting him again?"

Edwin lightly tapped her forehead, smiling wryly. "He's extremely wealthy now. Many rely on his favor. He's really giving it all by resorting to such a desperate move.

Edwin simply hadn't foreseen the way he himself would be involved in Leonel and Alexis' entangled relationship.

Late into the night, Edwin, instead of basking in newlywed bliss, found himself compelled to meet with Leonel.

He knocked on the door when he arrived.

Leonel appeared, weariness etched deeper into his features compared to Edwin's countenance.

Leaning against the doorframe with one hand, a cigarette poised elegantly between his fingers on the other, Edwin's gaze bore into Leonel's soul, each sizing up the other in silent appraisal.

After a fleeting moment of scrutiny, Leonel said softly, "Come inside."

Edwin, cigarette between his teeth, strode in, casting a glance at the red wine on the table and the pile of cigarette butts in the ashtray. Drawing conclusions about Leonel's recent hardships, he found some solace in it.

Pouring himself half a glass of red wine, Edwin took a sip and remarked, “Such fine wine treated like water from a tap, quite the waste, don't you think?"

Seating himself, Edwin leveled his gaze at Leonel and quipped, “Seems you've got a spat brewing with Alexis, and I'm the unintended pawn.

What's your game, Leonel?"

Leonel reached for a cigarette, lighting it at a leisurely pace, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Alexis hold you in high regard, doesn't she?"

Edwin's stare grew icier, tinged with smoldering rage.

His ire seemed inconsequential to Leonel.

Leonel was aware that Edwin was obviously up to no good.

Not holding back, Edwin rasped, “Leonel, I've spent half a year figuring out the Smith family's labyrinth, on the brink of reaping the rewards, and you come in now?! Laura's carrying my child, and time's ticking. I've no bandwidth for tangling with the Smiths."