By admin Addicted Ex 5
Chapter 5 She Vanished
A single tear slid from the corner of Alyssia’s eye and sank into the pillow.
Leonard had forgotten the origins of the butterfly brooch, or perhaps, he had never really cared enough to remember it.
*****
When Alyssia was thirteen, she used the pocket money she had saved up over the years to attend an auction, hoping to win the butterfly brooch made with colored diamonds.
But in the end, she couldn’t even raise the bidding paddle because she didn’t have enough money.
When she got home, Alyssia secretly cried for a week. Her eyes were swollen, so she used ice to try to soothe them, lying to Beatrice, saying she hadn’t slept well.
One night, a week later, Leonard suddenly came to Alyssia’s room and threw the butterfly brooch in front of her. “Here. Take it.”
Seeing her stunned, Leonard couldn’t hide his usual impatience. “Being part of the Rivera family means you fight for what you want. If you want something, fight for it. If you can’t get it, don’t hesitate to speak up. Do you think we’re all dead?”
Alyssia held the butterfly brooch, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Thank you, Lenny.”
Leonard looked at her for a while, then reached out and lightly tapped her smooth forehead. “Don’t cry anymore.”
*****
When Alyssia’s parents passed away, she was still young and didn’t understand many things.
After she came to the Rivera family, the elders treated her with kindness. But many of the lessons in life were taught to her by Leonard.
It was Leonard who had once told Alyssia to fight for what she wanted, and if she couldn’t, he would fight for her.
But now, when Alyssia fought for something, he called her spoiled and wanted to break off their engagement. She thought to herself, ‘How ridiculous.’
*****
Alyssia was woken by the sound of her phone ringing.
It was Lauren calling. “Hurry up and come over. Leonard sent a lawyer’s letter,” she said on the phone.
Alyssia rushed to check out of the hotel. The receptionist smiled sweetly, “Miss, your room has been paid for a month, so you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
Alyssia refused, checked out, and transferred the remaining money to Charlie.
She sent a message: [Charlie, please put last night’s room charge on my tab. I’ll pay you back when I get my paycheck.]
When Alyssia rushed to Vanguard Media, Lauren’s curses could be heard across the entire floor. “Leonard was the one who took Milena to pick out the engagement ring and put the jacket on her in the middle of the night.
“They’ve had a seven-year secret relationship, and now he’s accusing us of spreading rumors? Rumors my ass.”
When Alyssia ran in, Lauren immediately shoved the lawyer’s letter into her hands and said, “Here, this is for you.”
Alyssia looked down at it, almost swearing out loud. “Why am I the main defendant?” she asked.
“Because it’s easier to target the weak spot.” Lauren shrugged. “From the entire company to everyone in our department, we’ve all been sued, but you’re the one they’re focusing on.”
“It’s because of Alyssia’s article, right? The views, clicks, and shares are through the roof. Alyssia, your bonus this month is secured.” Cian still had the energy to joke with Alyssia.
But the others also nodded in agreement. Someone said, “I think Alyssia really hit a nerve with Leonard. He’s panicking.”
Another person chimed in, “Yeah, it’s probably all true, so he’s flipping out.”
Alyssia slowly looked up and stared at Lauren. “Lauren, you said there wouldn’t be any surprises.”
Lauren angrily spat out her lollipop. “Leonard is such a jerk.”
As she continued muttering curses, someone from the legal department arrived, asking for Alyssia’s identification information.
Leonard was the main plaintiff, suing for an article published under Vanguard Media’s entertainment news section, and its writer.
The article had dug deep into his and Milena’s relationship, and it was Alyssia’s hard work from the whole night, only for Leonard to call it a rumor.
Alyssia had used a pen name, and now the legal department needed to verify her identity to prepare for the lawsuit. Given Leonard’s firm stance, it seemed like they couldn’t avoid a court battle.
Alyssia had just taken out her ID when a hand reached from beside her, pushing her ID back into her hand, and snatching the lawyer’s letter away. With one swift motion, it was torn into pieces.
“Let him sue.” Charlie’s face turned icy. “If Leonard dares to act, he shouldn’t be afraid of anyone speaking out.”
He thought to himself, ‘There’s no one more qualified than Alyssia to expose his heartlessness.’
“But—” The legal department staff, seeing the usually calm and graceful Charlie flip out for the first time, felt uneasy.
“If Leonard dares to sue, the company will respond. Don’t worry about anything else,” Charlie cut in icily.
“But—” The staff member spoke again.
Charlie’s expression turned completely cold. “Vanguard Media is such a big company, and you’re telling me we can’t even protect one employee?”
He mused, ‘I won’t let Alyssia go to court and face Leonard. He doesn’t deserve to be around her again.’
*****
In the CEO’s office at the top of Clairivera Group, Joseph Thomas said anxiously, “Mr. Rivera, we still haven’t found Ms. Clairmont.”
Since returning to Rosewood Manor last night, Leonard had been quite gloomy.
Joseph was Leonard’s personal assistant, and his family had served the Rivera family for generations. Having worked for Leonard for over a decade, Joseph hadn’t seen him in such a foul mood in years. And it was all because Alyssia went missing.
Leonard closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. “Check her spending records.” In front of him lay a phone with a cracked screen and a bank card torn in half.
Joseph recalled the scene last night when Leonard couldn’t get through to Alyssia and threw the phone, as well as Leonard’s violent reaction when he saw the torn bank card on the bedside table.
Joseph’s heart started to race. “I’ve checked. Ms. Clairmont hasn’t made any purchases.”
Leonard still had his eyes closed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “What about hotel check-in records?”
“I checked. I found n-nothing,” Joseph said.
The room was dead silent. Joseph didn’t dare to take a breath.
After a long while, Leonard opened his bloodshot eyes. “What did Vanguard Media say?”
Joseph was nearly in tears. “Vanguard Media is being very firm. They won’t delete the article. They said if you want to sue, they’ll be ready anytime.”
Leonard kicked the table in front of him, sending it crashing over. The sound of shattering glass echoed as the fragments scattered across the floor.
Joseph nearly had a heart attack, thinking, ‘Including today, Mr. Rivera hasn’t slept for two days. At this rate, I, as his personal assistant, will probably collapse dead in front of him.’
Leonard’s chief assistant, Rocco Dawson, walked in, giving Joseph a sympathetic glance. “Mr. Rivera, the flight has been arranged.”
Leonard stood up, adjusting his cufflinks as he walked out, his expression stormy.
Joseph wanted to say something, but Rocco subtly shook his head.
Rocco pondered, ‘Even if hell freezes over, Mr. Rivera won’t let anything or anyone affect his schedule, let alone Ms. Clairmont whom he despises to the core. He has an almost obsessive passion and addiction for his work.’
As Leonard left, he ordered Joseph, “Call the police. Check the street surveillance footage.”
Joseph quickly picked up the cracked phone and the broken bank card from the glass shards.
Leonard didn’t say anything else, but Joseph knew that even though the phone was discarded, the SIM card couldn’t be thrown away. The bank card was broken, but it had to be replaced immediately.
“Mr. Rivera, Mrs. Rivera just called,” Joseph said, still nervously reporting as they boarded the plane. “She asked about you and Ms. Johnson.”
Leonard shifted his attention from the computer screen and looked up darkly.
Joseph, reading the room, handed him a new phone and a replaced bank card. “Mr. Rivera, the police have already been notified. We should have news soon.”
Leonard didn’t speak. He leaned back against the sofa cushions in the private jet, turning his face to watch the runway slip by. He thought, ‘Alyssia is still as manipulative and greedy as ever.’