Chapter 18: Honesty & Kittens.

Chapter 18: Honesty & Kittens.Leo got back in his car and then drove to the Atlas Restaurant. It was close to the agreed upon time, and he did not want to leave a bad impression on his future commander. Leo asked for a table for two and sat down.

He ordered a cup of orange juice, and waited for a few minutes before the order was served and Percie Hibiscal arrived dressed in a silver office attire. A blazer and a white blouse-shirt under it paired with a silver pencil skirt and matching heels.

She named Leo and the greeter led her straight to the table. The young man stood up from his seat and extended his hand towards her as he said, "Hello, I am Leo Cardinal. You must be Miss Hibiscal."

The lady had soft facial features and her grey eyes were sparkling with a lot of cunning. She nodded faintly and said, "Hello, Mister Cardinal."

Leo nodded and said, "Have a seat."

They both sat down and Leo asked her if she would like to eat anything but the lady passed the offer as she claimed to have eaten a late breakfast.

Leo did not force her either and said, "May I have a look at your resume?"

He noticed a flash of surprise in her eyes, but she still followed through and handed him a dossier. The young man opened the file calmly and began to go through the certificates and the other documents that stated her qualifications and experience in a golden halo.

He closed the file and asked, "With such an impressive resume, you could have gone to any big company and they would have hired you with their heads on the platter. Why did you choose to contact me?"

Percie Hibiscal seemed to have expected this question and said, "I have a friend in the Industry Registration Office, and she mentioned to me in passing that a company has been registered with the most unique name and employee dynamics. I couldn't help myself, and looked up for your number and called."

Leo looked at her calmly and then he sighed as he said, "I expected better from someone who can make Tyrant Group make a Net Revenue of 700 million in two years."

Percie Hibiscal pretended to be confused and Leo went on to say, "You have worked in Tyrant Group for three years, however, during the rest of your career you have been chasing them very consistently. All the companies that you worked in the past seven years, have some tie ups with the subsidiaries of Tyrant Group.

From what I know about the Tyrant group, there are only two reasons for you to have quit. One, they did not give you the seat that you wanted, and two, if they did give you the seat at the table, you realized how fucked up they are.

Since you approached me, I think it should be the second one, right? Carole Primus, made a move on you? Or harmed your family members. One thing or the other, you did not part on good terms with him. Am I correct?"

Percie Hibiscal took a deep breath and said, "I did not expect that the fallen young master of the Cardinal Family would have such a strong insight."

Leo shrugged and replied, "There are many things that we do not expect. Can you now tell me, why come to me? Or I can go back home and play with my daughter."

Leo checked the system panel, and found that the loyalty of this lady was set to 70 points. The lady sighed and said, "The truth is that Carole Primus had some intentions towards me. I shunned him on many occasions, but last time in the board meeting, he took credit for all my hardwork, and so, I decided to quit and came here to relax with my friends. I would have gone back to look for work in some other companies, but at this moment, Tyrant Group is a top company.

They have swallowed and digested so many small businesses that it has become a cluster of the business world. The small companies don't dare to take them on, and the big ones, they don't want to risk what they have. So, my friend told me about you, and how Carole is responsible for your downfall. I thought about approaching you."

Leo nodded and said, "I appreciate the honesty more than brown-nosing, Miss Hibiscal. I believe in coincidences, so I will give you a benefit of doubt. Tell me, what do you want?"

Percie looked at his calm eyes and said, "You set up a company with a hundred million ren cap in work capital. I thought if I join you, it would lead me to have the resources that I need to get back at Tyrant Group."

Leo smiled and asked, "You have a good sense of humor."

Percie blushed a little, they stayed silent for a bit and then Leo asked, "What if I take a gamble with you? Will you be able to put my company in the top players within a year?"

Percie nodded and confidently, "Yes, given the connections I have, I will be able to do it."

Leo took a deep breath and said, "Then, I will appoint you as the CEO of Butterfly Technologies."

Percie took a deep breath and said, "I will not disappoint you."

Leo nodded and said, "I registered the company, and I will give you a product design. You will handle everything from setting up an office, and all the other things that are needed to make a company operational."

Percie was surprised and couldn't comprehend how Leo was giving her such a big responsibility. The young man waved at the waiter to bring the check and said, "I have only recently recovered from trauma and need to heal properly, at the same time. I would love to spend time with my daughter and bond with her. This is why I need someone who has a good head on her shoulders."

Percie was even more surprised to hear such a reason, but she nodded and said, "I understand."

The waiter brought the bill, and Leo told Percie where he lives so that she can finalize an employment agreement and they will sign it later at his home.

Percie agreed, and then they went their separate ways. The young man drove his car toward Primal Elementary School. On the way, he called Snow, who said that she has fixed an appointment with a photographer but due to some technical issues, they can only do it tomorrow.

Leo thought about it and checking the time on his phone screen he decided to wait in the parking lot. He picked up Lily, who was chirping about the things she did at the new school, as they drove home.

Leo had a doting smile on his face and listened to her with great patience. Lily asked, "Baba, what gift would you give Lily on her birthday?"

Leo thought for a bit and realized that he didn't even know the birthday of his daughter. He clenched his fists around the steering wheel and said, "Whatever you want my love."

Lily thought about it and said, "I think Lily wants a cat."

Leo smiled and said, "Okay, then when your birthday comes we will go to pick up a cat for you. Tell me, what color cat do you want?"

Lily said, "I think a wise cat, a gray one. Like the one they have in that cartoon, Talia. I will name my cat, Momo."

Leo chuckled and said, "Okay, a wise gray cat and we will call it Momo."

Lily cheered and began to talk about the other kid who celebrated her birthday in the class and she gave them candies. The girl invited everyone to the party, and so did her parents. Earlier when Leo was waiting to pick up Lily, a young couple had asked them to come over, but Leo made an excuse after wishing the little girl.

Lily did not mind it, she was very sensible knowing when to not talk. The other party also did not make things difficult because they knew from their child that Lily was a newly enrolled student so they understood the privacy and trust factor.

...

Leo came home, he fed Lily, and then put her to bed for a nap, before he went to the garage, he picked up Lily's identity card. Her date of birth was mentioned there and Leo found that her birthday was just a week ago.

The young man took a deep breath and cursed himself. When he calmed down, Leo walked to the garage and began streaming. He began to stream.

...


In the evening, Leo finished talking to someone, he said to Snow, "Love, I will go out to meet with someone for a bit. I will be back soon."

Snow asked, "Who is it? Can't you go in the morning?"

She was worried a little, Leo smiled and said, "Don't worry, I am fine, it will be alright. I am going to meet a PI, because since Jimmy has made such claims, I want to see them through."

Snow thought for a bit and sighed as she said, "Fine, do what you need to, but please be careful."

Leo nodded and pecked Lily's cheek before going out. The young man was past the phase where he was a pampered kitten, with everyday spent on a bed, the wounded soul was now raging like a lion, ready to hunt the enemies of the past.