CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: AGREEING TO BE HIS COMPANION

Ivana was about to leave when she heard Leon’s words, and she looked up suddenly, gleefully at him: "You... agreed?"

Ivana’s smile was beautiful, like blooming flowers, with eyes as clear as dewdrops, unbelievably enchanting.

Leon looked at her smile, momentarily lost in thought. He lowered his thick black lashes and pressed his thin lips together. Why had he agreed so quickly?

Hadn’t he decided to make her beg him?

Now with such a good opportunity, he shouldn’t have given in so easily.

"Thank you, Leon," Ivana gratefully expressed her thanks.

"No need to thank me yet. I agreed to help you, but with conditions." Yes, why would he help her for no reason? He’s a businessman; he wouldn’t engage in a losing business deal.

Ivana’s smile shattered, her heart contracted sharply, and she looked at him warily, like a mother wolf facing a dangerous enemy.

What were his conditions? Did he want to take Timmy away from her again?

Ivana’s stunning face turned slightly pale, her fingers faintly trembling. She knew she shouldn’t have come to this man.

"I want you to be my companion for three months." Leon noted the wary and resistant expression in her eyes.

Ivana was stunned. He wasn’t trying to take Timmy from her?

Ivana breathed a sigh of relief.

"What do you require from a companion?" she asked, thinking that if his requirements weren’t excessive, she could agree to them. Trading three months for her grandfather’s lifetime peace was worth it.

Leon raised an eyebrow. Had she relented so quickly? What important information about Michelle was stored in her computer?

"For important events, you need to dress appropriately and accompany me as my date. If I drink too much, you’re responsible for safely bringing me back to the old house. If the media asks if we’re officially in a relationship, you can’t clarify, but you must act like a gold-digger eager to marry into wealth," Leon said calmly.

Ivana frowned tightly, finding the demands increasingly absurd.

Didn’t he have a driver? Didn’t he have bodyguards responsible for safely bringing him back?

The last part was even more outrageous. Was he a late-stage chauvinist who needed admiration from a companion so badly? He even wanted to change her persona; she couldn’t pretend to be a gold-digger.

Even if she didn’t care about her own dignity, she had to consider Timmy.

Timmy was starting school tomorrow.

If his teachers or classmates’ mothers saw her on TV as a "gold-digger," what would they think of Timmy?

"I can agree to the first point, but the latter two, I cannot agree to," Ivana said, her face and neck flushed.

"Whatever you like, those are the three conditions. If you can’t agree, you can leave now," Leon stated, then added, "This opportunity is only offered once. If you disagree, there are tens of thousands of women in Ravenswood who would eagerly agree."

Leon picked up his phone in front of Ivana, his long fingers sliding the screen, dialing a number: "Derrick, arrange a companion for me."

"Yes, same standards as before."

Leon hung up the phone, his gaze on his laptop, not sparing Ivana another glance.

It was as if Ivana was an insignificant woman, whether she agreed or not didn’t matter to him.

Ivana bit her lip, struggling intensely inside. Less than a minute later, Leon’s phone rang.

Ivana stared intently at Leon’s phone, the large screen showing Derrick was calling.

Leon picked up the phone, and as he slid it open, Ivana lunged forward, covering the phone screen with her hand.

"I agree to your first two conditions, but I really can’t do the last one. President Kane, I’m a mother. Even if I can disregard my own face, I can’t let my child be shamed by others!"

Ivana’s eyes turned red, filled with profound maternal love for her child.

Leon’s heart gave a hard thump. Initially, this woman’s repeated refusals made him unhappy, wanting her to acknowledge and depend on him in front of the media.

But had she considered all this? Had she thought of Timmy being embarrassed by her being his mom?

Leon wanted to take out the DNA report and slap it in front of Ivana, letting her see clearly that Timmy was his biological son. Who in Ravenswood dared to bully Leon’s biological son?

They would be courting death.

But Leon feared if he took out the report, Ivana would be more scared, worried he’d take Timmy away.

Derrick dialed once without an answer, so he called again.

The vibration had just stopped when it suddenly started again. Leon and Ivana’s palms simultaneously felt a tingling sensation.

Leon found he somewhat enjoyed the peculiar feeling of being covered by her hand.

"Fine, I agree with you," Leon finally gave in. He didn’t want to scare her off. Seeing her dumbstruck expression gradually turn to a smile, he said, "But you must do the first two points well."

Ivana nodded quickly.

Derrick had called Leon’s phone twice without an answer. Knowing the temper of the President, he immediately came to the CEO’s office to inform him.

The office door was open, and from the entrance, he saw Leon and Ivana holding hands, gazing at each other "affectionately".

Things were developing so fast!

Derrick felt a bit lost, but he would still wholeheartedly wish Ivana and President Kane that lovers would finally become family.

Leon caught sight of Derrick acting stealthily at the door and his look turned cold for a moment, which Ivana seemed to notice as well, blushing and withdrawing her fingers, quickly distancing herself from him.

Leon’s fingers lost their pleasant warmth, and he became even more displeased with the look he gave Derrick.

Derrick felt the president’s piercing gaze, making his heart tremble slightly in fear: "President Kane, I have arranged for the companion you asked for. She is the current supermodel champion, Kritine Kendall..."

Leon frowned and interrupted him: "Cancel the arrangement. I’ve already picked someone."

"Ah?" Derrick was stunned for a moment, involuntarily looking toward Ivana. Could she be President Kane’s choice?

Ivana looked embarrassed by Derrick’s gaze and said with her head lowered, "I still have things to attend to, so I’ll be leaving."

"Hold on." Leon suddenly called out to her.

Ivana stopped and turned to see Leon take out a brand-new phone, placing it on the luxurious desk, and gently sliding it forward to her side.

"My number is saved in here. I want you to keep it on 24/7, so I won’t have trouble reaching you." Last night, Leon accidentally dialed the wrong number while calling Ivana, but the response was that the phone was off.

His son was in Ivana’s hands, and he wouldn’t allow her phone to be turned off.

Ivana didn’t want the phone from him, but under his intense gaze, she had no choice but to reach out and take it.