CEO’s Seduction Trap

Leila found Mason’s affection intense and strange. She had never fallen in love at first sight, but she felt that such intense feelings should not arise. Mason’s feelings were like fire, leaving her with nowhere to hide.

During dinner, Mason asked Leila, “Your mom wasn’t scared today, was she?”

“No.”

“I told Ryan to bring two men to guard the entrance to the ward tomorrow so they don’t cause any more trouble.”

Leila frowned. “No need. My mom wouldn’t like it.”

“How would she know if you don’t tell her? Don’t worry, Ryan and the others will pretend to be relatives of another patient.”

Mason was a good cook, which explained why he had offered to help in the kitchen when Caleb and he had gone to dinner at her place.

Thinking of Caleb, Leila couldn’t help but ask Mason, “Do you know about Caleb sponsoring a student before?”

Mason paused, then replied, “Yes.”

“Was he really my sponsor?”

Mason didn’t want to lie but couldn’t tell the truth either. He cleared his throat. “I’m not entirely sure. I only know he sponsored a student before.”

Leila nodded.

That night, Leila dreamt of her childhood, when the three of them were a happy family.

But the dream ended abruptly before she could see the outcome, interrupted by a phone call.

Leila groggily picked up her phone from the bedside table and answered, “Hello.”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Dasha’s voice came through, trembling slightly. “Leila, your father’s back. Come to the hospital now.”

“Understood.”

Leila hung up, her expression darkening.

Lost in thought, she felt a large hand around her waist pulling her into an embrace. Immediately after, Mason’s voice, low and lazy in the morning, sounded behind her. “I’ll go with you.”

Subconsciously, Leila didn’t want Mason to see the mess.

She was about to refuse when Mason said, “No refusal.”

Upon they had just reached the door of the ward when they heard Keith’s uncontrollable anger from inside.

“How dare you argue with me? You turned our daughter into a mistress, ruining my reputation.”

Keith’s voice was hoarse and strained, and anyone unaware would think he had suffered a great injustice.

Leila listened, her hand at her side suddenly clenched into a tight fist, fingertips digging deep into her palm.

Noticing her gesture, Mason stepped forward, taking her hand and gently squeezing her fingertips. “What’s wrong? Are you a mistress? You’re my girlfriend.”

As Mason spoke, Leila took a deep breath, loosening her tight grip.

Seizing the opportunity, Mason slid his fingers between hers, intertwining their hands, his voice low. “Parents are just an identity. If they love you, you love them. They’re supposed to be the closest people to you. If they don’t love you, you don’t need to love them. Be rational, don’t torture yourself.”

“Are you not afraid others will call you heartless?” Leila teased.

“Others? Who are they, to make me worry?” Mason scoffed.

“You’re more open-minded than I thought.”

A loud crash echoed from the hospital room, followed by Dasha’s agitated voice. “Get out! Just get out!”

Leila frowned, breaking free from Mason’s grip and stepping into the room.

Inside, Dasha had smashed the glass water jug that sat on the bedside table into pieces.

Her eyes were red, tears on the brink, but she forced herself to hold them back.

Seeing Leila, her tightly pursed lips trembled slightly.

Leila hurried over to support her.

Dasha grabbed Leila’s hand, fingers trembling. “Leila, make him leave, make him leave…”

From childhood to adulthood, Leila had never seen her mom like this. Even during the bankruptcy of The Patel Group, Dasha had only shown timidity. But now, she seemed transformed, her gaze determined and fierce.

Having relied on each other for so many years, Leila understood Dasha’s thoughts at this moment, but she couldn’t let Keith leave now. If they missed today, who knew when they would get another chance to finalize the divorce?

Turning to embrace Dasha, Leila patted her back reassuringly. “Mom, calm down.”

“I can’t calm down,” Dasha gritted her teeth.

“Mom, if you can’t calm down and don’t go through with the divorce today, you’ll still have to face him again and again. Do you want that?”

Hearing Leila’s words, Dasha gradually calmed down, quietly repeating to herself, “Yes, I want a divorce… I want a divorce…”

“It’ll be over soon, Mom.”

With that, Leila turned, and faced Keith. “Dad, I’ve brought our household register and the marriage certificate.”

Keith’s face turned pale. “What do you mean by this?”

Without flinching, Leila replied, “We agreed earlier. Today, you’re going through with the divorce with Mom.”

Keith glared angrily, devoid of the guilt he had shown when he first met Leila. “Are you forcing us to divorce?”

Leila was seething. “If that’s how you see it, then yes.”

As Leila finished speaking, Keith stepped forward, raising his hand as if to slap her. Before his hand could land, another hand reached out from behind, grabbing his wrist.

Keith winced in pain, stepping back. When he turned and saw Mason, his expression changed rapidly.

In the end, he didn’t dare confront Mason, instead glaring at Leila with a face full of resentment. “Shameless.”

Leila’s breath caught, and her body even swayed slightly in disbelief at her own biological father’s words.

As soon as Keith spoke, Dasha exploded in anger, “Who are you calling shameless? You’re the most shameless person here! As a father, as a husband, you bankrupted the company and ran away with the money, leaving us, a mother and daughter, to repay your debts. And you’ve already started a new family with another woman. Keith, is there anyone more shameless in this world than you?”

Keith’s face turned red for Dasha’s scathing words.

The two stood facing each other, and just as Keith was about to retort, Leila gathered her courage and said, “Dad, I’m twenty-six this year. I’m just dating normally, why does it become shameless when it comes out of your mouth?”

“Is that what you call dating?” Keith retorted.

In a cold, indifferent tone, Mason took over, “We’re both unmarried adults. We’re just in a relationship. As an elder, just because you behave disgracefully doesn’t mean we’re all like you.”

Mason’s words packed a punch.

Keith looked at him, his face dark and ugly.

It was clear that Keith was genuinely angry now. But with Mason’s status, he dared not speak his mind.

After a moment, Keith sneered, “Would you dare to marry her?”

Mason instantly laughed, “Anytime.”

Keith was stunned, and Mason’s retort left him speechless for a while. He couldn’t believe that Leila and Mason were really dating. He stared at Mason’s face, trying to find any flaws.

Seeing Keith staring at him like that, Mason’s smile faded, and he asked coldly, “Why do you think Leila is being my mistress? Do you think she’s not worthy of being my girlfriend?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Keith said.

Mason sneered, “Or perhaps you know deep down that when you ran away, you left such a mess that she couldn’t live a normal life like any other girl.”

“I didn’t do that!!” Keith exploded in anger and shame.

“Didn’t you? Why are you so panicked?” Mason pressed.