Third Person's POV
The evidence Cedrick provided was like a belated Christmas's gift, bringing Leo immense relief.
He had tried investigating before, but Samuel was overly cautious, making any prior attempts fruitless.
Cedrick, through unknown means, had infiltrated Nebula and unearthed these critical clues—Leo would have to find a chance to thank this prudent business magnate later. But he knew the credit should go to Jessica.
Cedrick's willingness to help was clearly for her sake.
Leo and Sunny headed straight to Samuel's office, catching him in a compromising situation with a new female star from the company.
The star was perched on his lap, Samuel's hands wandering freely over her body, with no regard for discretion.
The office door burst open, catching them red-handed.
The female star's face drained of color, and Samuel's panic was evident.
"Boss!" Samuel quickly pushed the stunned star off him, and she hurriedly greeted Leo in a hushed voice before fleeing.
Leo hadn't anticipated Samuel would dare to engage in such behavior in his office. His expression darkened. "Get out!"
The star didn't dare breathe heavily and slunk away.
Sunny, following behind Leo, was also stunned—she had previously thought Samuel to be gentle and refined, but now she felt nothing but disgust.
Power in his hands had clearly gone to his head. He was utterly lawless.
Samuel had a premonition of impending disaster but still tried to feign composure, forcing a fawning smile. "Boss, she was upset from the crew and came to vent. I was just comforting her appropriately."
"No need for explanations," Leo said coldly, his gaze filled with disgust.
Samuel's face paled—Leo's eyes were like icy daggers, seeming to pierce him with disdain.
He couldn't help but tremble, a chill running down his spine—was Leo about to deal him a severe blow?
Instead of immediately presenting the evidence, Leo asked coldly, "Samuel, how much do you really know about Nebula Media?"
"Nebula? It's just a new upstart company, no threat to our status," Samuel said, noticing Leo's raised eyebrow and mistaking it for interest, continuing to ingratiate himself. "We could hold auditions to boost exposure and solidify our top position."
"You're not only bedding actresses but also concerned with company growth?" Leo sneered.
Samuel forced a smile. "You flatter me, boss. I'm just doing my job."
"Because I trusted you, you dared to overstep," Leo could no longer tolerate Samuel's hypocrisy. His tone turned sharply cold. "I promoted you from security to vice president, and you swore loyalty. Now you're betraying me—should I call you vice president or Nebula's major shareholder?"
Samuel's mind buzzed. His previous sense of achievement vanished, replaced by sheer terror.
"Boss... Leo!"
"Silence!" Leo roared, "Have I raised an ingrate?"
The term "ingrate" struck a nerve, leaving Samuel pale and trembling.
The office's atmosphere was so tense it felt wringable, former comrades now glaring at each other like foes, their eyes brimming with hatred.
Sunny, standing by, felt the suffocating pressure—human hearts were indeed the most inscrutable entities.
She watched Samuel's every move closely, fearing the ex-security guard with decent combat skills might act rashly.
Leo had mentioned Samuel's past as a security guard, once saving him and joining him in entrepreneurship.
Though now portly, Leo noted Samuel's former prowess in taking on five or six thugs single-handedly.
"So you aim to kick me out and swallow the company whole?" Leo's lips curled into a cold sneer, dripping with sarcasm.
Samuel, lacking confidence, was provoked by the expression into a twisted grimace. "People change. You said you hated women the most back then, didn't you also fall for her?"
He pointed at Sunny, his tone contemptuous, "Don't mock my greed. We've all changed."
"I won't stoop to your level," Leo ground out through clenched teeth.
Samuel laughed bitterly, "Right, you're the second son of the Royal Pack, born into nobility. I'm different—I grew up terrified of poverty. Once I tasted money, I wanted more. Back when I was a security guard, I had to kowtow to men in Mercedes. Have you ever known the feeling of being ignored?"
His voice rose with each word, his face flushing red as if unleashing years of pent-up resentment.
Leo coldly slapped the photos onto the desk. "These are proof of your betrayal. Choose—report to the police or surrender."
"What?" Samuel's face drained of color. "Just based on these photos? You're naive. Checked the company accounts? I'll confess if a single cent is missing."
His tone was arrogant. "I didn't harm the company. I just let it stagnate. These photos merely show normal dealings with Nebula—illegal?"
Sunny hadn't expected him to be so cunning—clearly, he'd prepared an exit strategy.
Samuel straightened his collar and sat up straight. "I've had my resignation letter ready. Please sign it, boss."
He pushed the document toward Leo. "I'm sick of playing second fiddle."
Leo clenched his fists, barely restraining the urge to strike. "Have I ever wronged you?"
"Not exactly," Samuel shrugged. "But after tasting the good life with you, I can't go back. Remember. Trust no one lightly, not even the woman you love."
As he left, he couldn't resist sowing discord.