Leonel didn't like importunate women.

Last night had been nothing but an accident. He didn't really do anything to her, but her presence reminded him of unpleasant things.

He was cold and aloof, and he didn't bother talking to her. Zeke could only assume that Leonel didn't like Anika.

Dinner went on for a couple of hours until it was time to leave.

Leonel got up and bid goodbye to the others.

He spoke in a formal tone. "It's gotten late. I'll have a drink with you next time, Mr. Herrera."

Thankfully, Zeke let him go and didn't force him to stay.

Leonel walked out of the room. Across the floor, the crystal lights from above cast their incandescent glow. His head throbbed from having been drinking for two nights in a row. Gently, he rubbed his temples, trying to ease the tension. His secretary immediately came forward and asked, “Sir, would you like a hangover cure?"

"No, thanks. I'm fine. I didn't drink that much tonight," Leonel said in a low voice.

Just as he was about to leave, a woman's voice came from behind. "Mr. Douglas."

He knew exactly who the voice belonged to.

Leonel turned to look at Anika.

His secretary was visibly surprised, but she recovered quickly. She had seen the way Anika looked at Leonel back in the room earlier, and now she was calling out to her boss. Leonel's secretary was all too familiar with this scenario— she had seen this plot play out a million times.

What she didn't expect was that Leonel would actually acknowledge Anika.

An uncomfortable feeling rose inside the secretary, afraid that Leonel would make a mistake. She reminded him in a low voice, “Mr. Douglas, aren't you going to pick up your wife and kids?"

Leonel looked down. "Right. I have to pick up Alexis and the kids."

While they were talking, Anika had walked up to Leonel. She looked up at him with feigned guilt and said softly, "Mr. Douglas, what happened last night was my fault. Please forgive me."

Leonel said coldly, "Don't ever approach me again."

Without waiting for an answer, he left with his secretary.

Anika watched him leave, a soft smile on her face.