Leonica smiled brightly and reached her hands out, taking the plush toy and admiring it.

Marcus had been a long time friend of her, having met him two years ago. She had walked into his toy shop one day, looking for a gift like a lost soul, when he spotted her. After helping her, they began talking and he eventually warmed up to her, learning that she

was new to town.

Ever since, the two have been close friends, Marcus always giving her discount on everything whenever she came to buy his toys, which is why she loved coming to his shop. Marcus was an elderly man, around the age of sixty, his face held a permanent smile, though his brown hair was slowly losing color.

Leonica handed him a couple of dollars for the toy, Marcus refusing to take the money.

"Take it as a gift, from a friend." He smiled, pushing her hand away and handing the money

back.

Leonica shook her head, placing the money in his hand and folding it over. "You know I can't do that, Mark. You've given me far too much discount. If things continue like this, you'll be losing more than you're meant to." Marcus was reluctant at first, but after some thought, he finally took the money.

"But, promise me you'll come again." He said, amischievous smile stretching across his lips.

"You know I can't resist visiting." Leonica responded, giving him a bright smile which was followed by a hug as she departed the store.

De

As she stepped out of the shop, Leonica felt her phone vibrating inside her pocket and reached for it. She glanced at the caller ID and couldn't help but smile upon seeing the name of her adoptive brother.

"Leonardo, hey...what's up?" she greeted, holding her phone between her ear and shoulder as she dug around her bag for her car keys.

"Hey, I just wanted to check on you. How are you fending?" Leonardo asked.

"I'm fine." Leonica honestly answered as she slid her car and turned the engine on. "How about you?" she asked, backing out of her parking space and beginning the short drive home.

"Same old. Stressful Company affairs and all, thought it would be much better...if you were back here." Leonardo responded and Leonica chuckled.

There he went once more, trying to get her to come back to Norway. It wasn't the first time they were having this conversation.

"I told you, Leo, I'm not coming back." She replied.

"Come on," Leonardo groaned and Leonica could hear a sigh follow after. "The company needs you Leonica. It needs a suitable president.

"No. Trust me, you're more suitable for that job than I am. If anyone is to know how hard. you've worked for that position, then that person would be me. And besides, you know very well, Leo, I can't...don't want to come back to that place." she said, feeling a tinge of pain in her chest at the memory of what had happened five years ago.

Leonardo sighed heavily. "It has been five years, Leonica. You can't stay cooped up forever in Colorado."

"I'm not." She replied, turning a corner. "I have a life here. One that I'm really enjoying. I don't think I can give that up.

"I'm not saying you should give it up completely, but Leo, the company needs you."

"The company has you and dad." She countered.

Leonardo sighed. "Dad's health has deteriorated drastically. The doctor advised him to stay home from now on, the stress

the news not entirely

with her.

an old age, so, his health wasn't

the seat of president vacant, the

slammed harshly on

Rodrigo? Hell no!

imagine her uncle sitting in her father's

greedy bastard, only interested in getting the company's profit and making a

of the employees or

he was so adamant in becoming the next president was because it meant inheriting the whole

happen, the company

geezers have to be joking. If they even consider putting Rodrigo as the next president, the company will collapse!" Leonica

to the company." Leonardo replied clicking his tongue in anger as he recalled their words. "That's why I'm asking you to please come back Leonica. If you don't, dad's life work would be destroyed

on. "I know how you operate. If anyone should have a knead for handling Romero empire, it should be the one who anonymous dominated Colorado's business industry, isn't that right, Tyche Smith?"

It was true.

had been filled with nothing but the memories of * Gabriel, his betrayal and the pain

using her skills the skills she

for an anonymous name to use, the name Tyche which belonged to

a second thought,

name Tyche Smith had gained the reputation of being

for being

identity remained a mystery, however,

whole business world had come to

have the ability to turn the tide in her favor and bring

their knees.

still there?"

a

could understand why her father's company was so important to

years of his life working his ass

anyone had a right to the company,

Leo," She

right this moment, but Just, please think about it. For our family." He

remained quiet, deep in

days to think about it." Leonardo spoke after a brief moment of silence, not wanting to push her. "When I call again,

Leonica whispered and they both said their goodbyes, hanging

opened it, her brows furrowing upon realizing that he had sent her

was the contract for a partnership being led by her uncle with

Gabriel's company!

of

the contract.

uncle had decided to partner up with

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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