Chapter 25 – Leon's Invitation
The rain poured heavily against the windows, streaking the glass with silver trails. Ethan stood at the balcony of the penthouse, a cup of tea cooling in his hand. Adrian had left earlier that evening for an emergency meeting, leaving the space unnervingly quiet.
The silence wasn't peaceful—it was suffocating.
Ethan's mind refused to rest. Images of the rehabilitation center still hovered behind his eyes: the young Omega painting, the soft smiles, the nurse's calm voice. Yet Leon's words gnawed at him too, whispering doubts into the cracks Adrian's proof couldn't completely seal.
He only shows you what he wants you to see.
The sharp buzz of his phone made him flinch. He set the teacup down and glanced at the screen. His heart stuttered.
Unknown Number.
He hesitated before answering.
"…Hello?"
A voice, smooth as silk, spilled through the speaker.
"Ethan. It's been too long."
His breath caught. "…Leon."
---
Leon's chuckle was low and intimate. "You sound surprised. Did you think Adrian could hide you from me forever?"
Ethan gripped the railing, his knuckles whitening. "Why are you calling me?"
"Because you deserve the truth. Not the filtered pieces Adrian feeds you, not the polished lies he parades as proof. The truth."
Ethan swallowed hard. "And what makes you think I'll believe you?"
"Because deep down," Leon's voice lowered to a whisper, "you already doubt him. Don't you?"
Ethan's pulse raced. He opened his mouth, but no words came.
Leon didn't need confirmation. He pressed on smoothly.
"I know where Adrian took you today. The rehabilitation center. Do you want to know where those Omegas really came from? Do you want to see the other side of the story he carefully hides?"
The room seemed colder suddenly. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying you shouldn't make your decision based on one staged display. If you want the real truth, come to me. I'll show you the files Adrian burned, the testimonies he buried."
Ethan's throat tightened. "Why should I trust you?"
"Because unlike Adrian," Leon said softly, "I have nothing to lose by showing you everything. He's desperate to keep you on his side. I? I only want you to see clearly."
A pause, then his tone sharpened with precision:
"There's a gallery exhibition tomorrow. A private showing. My invitation will arrive at your door before dawn. Come if you truly want to decide for yourself."
The line went dead.
---
Ethan lowered the phone slowly, his hand trembling. His chest felt constricted, torn between fear and burning curiosity.
Before he could gather his thoughts, a knock came at the door. Startled, he turned—one of Adrian's security men stood in the hall, holding an envelope.
"Mr. Zhou, this just arrived. Courier said it was urgent."
Ethan's pulse thundered as he accepted the envelope. The seal was pressed with Leon's family crest.
Inside was a sleek black card. Gold lettering shimmered under the lights:
Private Exhibition – Invitation for Ethan Li.
His breath caught at the words etched at the bottom in Leon's handwriting:
Come see what Adrian won't show you.
---
When Adrian returned later that night, Ethan was already in bed, the invitation hidden beneath his pillow. He turned away, feigning sleep as Adrian slipped off his tie and sat at the edge of the mattress.
For a long moment, Adrian just stared at him, his hand hovering as though tempted to touch. But then he withdrew, shoulders tense.
Ethan kept his eyes shut, his mind racing.
Between two Alphas—one ruthless and open-handed, one cold but quietly protective—who was truly telling the truth?
The war for his trust had begun.