Tangled in his Obsession novel Chapter 167

At 24, Leandro was a year away from taking the reins of the family business. Back then, he was the quintessential heir: involved in the company yet with ample leisure time. His days were filled with socializing and indulgences, with little concern for family matters.

One day, while leaving the office for a gathering, he unexpectedly spotted Seraphina on the street. She was 16, navigating the challenges of adolescence and high school. Engrossed in a heated argument with a boy, both in school uniforms, they were a conspicuous sight.

Without hesitation, Leandro pulled over. His relationship with Seraphina was distant at the time. She was the young girl taken in by the Reynolds family, doted on like a granddaughter by Conway. Though she was expected to address Leandro as "brother" like other family children, she never did.

Like all kids who depend on others for their livelihood, Seraphina had a sensitive and fragile ego which she carefully guarded. Most of the time, she went about her life practically invisible.

Even though they weren't close, they were still family. Leandro pulled over, looked at the arguing pair and called out, "Hey, need a hand?"

Seraphina looked up and saw him, ran towards his car like he was her knight in shining armor, opened the door and got in.

The boy, however, didn't give up so easily. He ran a few steps towards the car but stopped when he saw Leandro. He looked at Seraphina and asked, "Seraphina, who is he? Why are you getting in his car?"

"That's none of your business." Seraphina clutched her backpack, not looking at the boy, and said through gritted teeth, "Stop following me!"

Leandro didn't want to get involved with the boy any further. He hit the gas and drove away.

Seraphina remained silent, clutching her backpack and staring at her lap for a long time before she finally whispered, "Thank you."

Leandro glanced over at her as he drove and gave a small smile. "Was that your boyfriend?"

"No." Seraphina denied without hesitation.

"No?" Leandro chuckled, "You're in high school, it's normal to date. Don't worry, I won't tattle on you."

"It really wasn't!" Seraphina finally looked up, her eyebrows furrowed and a serious, wronged expression in her eyes.

Leandro was surprised by the fire in Seraphina's eyes. She, who was usually so reserved, seemed to be a completely different person when angered.

He paused, taken aback, then chuckled. "Didn't expect that from you."

As he contemplated where to take her to relax, she interjected, "The teacher claims I'm involved with that guy, saying we're a couple. He even spread rumors about it..."

She hesitated, her voice laden with resentment.

While this seemed trivial to Leandro, he reassured her, "Just give me your teacher's contact later. I'll sort it out."

She took a deep breath and added, "A call won't suffice. The teacher wants a parent-teacher meeting."

He caught the subtle undertone of her words and responded with a light laugh, "So?"