CEO’s Seduction Trap

Leila didn’t understand his meaning. “What?”

Mason flicked the ash from his cigarette into the car ashtray, his brows furrowed. “Despite the appearance of success, I’m actually being manipulated…”

There was a moment of quiet in the car after Mason’s words.

Over the years, life’s burdens had weighed heavily on Leila. She rarely complained to others, nor did she often hear others talk about their hardships. Because she was too rational and clear-headed, she understood that it was all useless. If you told others, if they were truly sincere friends, maybe they would pity you, but if they were originally fake friends, they might even laugh at you behind your back.

After a few seconds, Leila’s fingers curled slightly as she gathered her thoughts and spoke, “No.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

After speaking, worried that Mason might not believe her, she took a deep breath and added, “A person’s success is somewhat related to family support, but it’s not a definitive factor.”

Many second-generation rich kids use their family’s foundation as a stepping stone, only to end up failing miserably in the end. So Leila truly believed that Mason’s achievements were primarily due to his own abilities.

Leila spoke sincerely. Mason smiled and said, “Hmm.”

When the car arrived at Leila’s neighborhood, Leila went to the supermarket to buy groceries while Mason stood outside the car making a phone call.

The person on the other end was Daniel, who said that Jennifer had thrown a huge tantrum at the birthday party and even hit someone.

Mason’s expression was indifferent, “How did the Powers Family react?”

Daniel reported truthfully, “The old Mr. Powers has always spoiled Jennifer, so he didn’t react much. But her half-brother was embarrassed by her behavior and scolded her in front of everyone at the party.”

Jennifer’s half-brother, Alvin, had many business dealings with Mason, and their relationship was decent.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Hearing this, Mason sneered and said, “Alvin is usually calm. He must be really angry.”

Daniel replied, “He is indeed very angry. The person Jennifer hit at the birthday party was the darling of Alvin’s recent business partner.”

“Stupid.”

Daniel paused briefly, then continued, “Just now, old Mr. Ramirez called me, asking where you were. I said I didn’t know.”

Mason responded, “Hmm.”

Daniel asked, “Are you going back to the old house tonight, or…?”

Mason’s gaze shifted to the entrance of the supermarket not far away. Leila’s skirt was swaying in the wind, highlighting her slender waist. He replied in a low voice, “I’m not going anywhere.”

Daniel was curious, “So where are you staying tonight?”

Mason replied, “At Leila’s place.”

Daniel, “…” Before Daniel could react, Mason had already hung up.

Hearing the silence on the phone, Daniel suddenly had a belated realization.

Samuel has been cheated on!!

Meanwhile, after hanging up, Mason took the groceries from Leila’s hands.

“Thank you.”

“Would you say thank you to Shirley for such a small thing?”

Leila was slightly stunned, realizing he meant that they were now friends and didn’t need to say thank you for such trivial things. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

They carried the groceries upstairs. In the elevator, Leila suddenly felt that Mason wasn’t so unapproachable after all. He was very easy-going and gentlemanly.

When they got out of the elevator, Leila took out her keys and was about to unlock the door when Mason’s phone suddenly rang.

Leila turned her head at the sound, ready to take the bags from Mason, but she heard him say, “Can you take my phone for me?”

Leila looked up, slightly puzzled.

Mason lowered his head to meet her gaze, his expression calm and his voice low, “In the right pocket of my suit pants.”

Seeing that Leila didn’t move, Mason took a step forward and, without breaking eye contact, frowned and said, “Leila, do you not consider me a friend at all?”

Maybe it was because Mason’s expression was so serious that Leila found herself momentarily stunned, staring at his face for a few seconds.

The next moment, under her gaze, Mason put down the bags he was holding and took out his phone from his pocket to answer it.

“grandfather.”

A stern voice came from the other end, “You still remember you have a grandfather?”

Mason glanced at Leila, then turned away to stand by the hallway window. “I don’t want to argue with you.”

The old Mr. Ramirez was furious, “If you really didn’t want to argue with me today, you wouldn’t have done what you did. You know how much Jennifer was looking forward to you attending her birthday party, yet you…”

Mason interrupted coldly, “I’ve made it very clear to you before that Jennifer and I are not suited for each other.”

“It’s not up to you to decide whether you’re suited or not!”

Mason scoffed, “Then who gets to decide? You?”

Hearing Mason’s words, the old Mr. Ramirez tried to suppress his anger, “You come back here right now.”

Mason, “No way.”

The old Mr. Ramirez was furious, “Mason!! What will it take for you to stop turning the Ramirez Family upside down?!”

Facing his grandfather’s rage, Mason’s stern voice suddenly turned restrained and low, “If you don’t want me to come back, then I won’t. Don’t worry, I won’t return to the villa you bought for me either.”

The old Mr. Ramirez, who was in the midst of his anger, suddenly looked bewildered upon hearing Mason’s words. When did he ever say he didn’t want him to come back? Didn’t he just tell him to come back right now? And when did he buy him a villa? Isn’t the villa Mason is living in the one he bought himself?

Before the old Mr. Ramirez could figure out what was going on, Mason had already hung up.

By the time the old Mr. Ramirez tried to call back, the phone indicated that the other party had turned off their phone.

Mason, having hung up, put his now-turned-off phone back into his pocket, stood by the window for a moment, then turned and walked back.

Leila stood at the door watching him, not sure what to say. She hadn’t heard what the old Mr. Ramirez said to Mason. But she had heard Mason’s words clearly. He had been kicked out by the old Mr. Ramirez. He was homeless.

Seeing Leila looking at him, Mason remained silent, bending down to pick up the items from the floor.

Leila spoke up, “Mr. Ramirez.”

Mason straightened up with the bags in hand, not continuing the previous topic about whether she considered him a friend. In a low voice, he said, “Let’s go inside.”

Leila hesitated, “…”

Perhaps out of guilt, Leila felt very uneasy even as she walked into the kitchen to cook.

While Leila cooked in the kitchen, Mason sat on the sofa in the living room. He turned on his phone, first blocking the old Mr. Ramirez, then sending a message to Caleb: [What are you up to?]

Caleb replied instantly: [Thinking about life.]

Mason: [I just had a fight with my grandfather.]

Caleb: [Because of Jennifer’s birthday party?]

Mason didn’t hide it: [Yeah.]

Caleb: [Honestly, I’m curious. With The Ramirez Family’s current power, there’s no need for an arranged marriage. What’s on his mind?]

Mason: [Doesn’t matter. Call me in a bit.]

Caleb didn’t understand: [??]

Mason didn’t explain, mainly because he didn’t feel like typing: [Just call me, stop asking so many questions.]

Caleb: [Now?]

Mason: [In half an hour.]…

Half an hour later, Leila brought the cooked dishes to the table, just about to call Mason for dinner when his phone rang on the coffee table.

Mason picked it up and answered, “Hello.”

Caleb, hearing his serious tone, joked, “What’s happening?”

Mason, keeping a serious face, replied, “Yeah, the old man had a fight with me and kicked me out.”

Caleb, confused and mocking, asked, “What are you talking about?”

Mason asked in a low voice, “Can you lend me some money? I don’t have a place to stay tonight.”

At this, Caleb realized what was going on, “Damn, are you at Leila’s place?”

Mason, sitting with his back to Leila, almost laughed, “If it’s inconvenient, forget it. I understand.”

Caleb swore over the phone, “Mason, you just taught me one thing: the world is simple, but people are complicated.”

Mason kept a straight face, “Alright, don’t worry about me. Bye.”

Hanging up, Mason put away his phone and turned to face Leila, “Leila, can I stay with you for a few days?”