After Divorce, Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant-Chapter 143 Stripped Of Her Title.

For the first time since the start of their conversation, Leonica was rendered speechless, not a single word coming past her parted lips.

She just couldn’t believe her ears, her father was seriously suggesting she step down as CEO and let Melvin take her position, after everything she had done.

"I think that’s what is best for now." Benjamin said as he rested back in his chair and closed his eyes, purposely ignoring Leonica’s bewildered stare.

"Um, honey," Cassandra tentatively began, once again glancing between her husband and daughter. "Are you sure this is for the best?"

Benjamin peeled one eye open to look at his wife. "Has my decision ever been wrong?"

Cassandra opened her mouth to answer, but immediately shut it. Her husband has indeed never made a wrong decision and his words have always been final. So, rather than trying to make him change his mind, she looked towards her daughter and gave her a sympathetic look.

Meanwhile, Leonica could hardly believe her ears.

She was getting kicked out?

The more she allowed her father’s words sink in, the more the unnerved feeling she had been experiencing unraveled and soon, she could put a finger on the feeling in particular.

It was fear.

Fear that this exact thing happening now would take place. The fear she felt for losing something she cherished had overshadowed the tinge of happy she could have experienced with Melvin’s return.

"So," She started, voice trembling with emotions. "You’re really going to let him take the position, that I worked my ass off to get, and give him the company that I fought to save. Just like that, with out a second thought."

When her parents were met with silence, Leonica added. "And what about Leonardo?"

"He’d understand." Melvin spoke up, crossing his leg over each other as he offered his lovely sister a smile. "I spoke with him yesterday."

Leonica could feel her eyes twitch at this point and a new sense of anger began setting in. She could only assume that their conversation had been unpleasant, hence why Leonardo hadn’t even bothered to tell her.

"Leonica," Benjamin called, pulling her attention towards him. "I am not asking you to leave, I’m just requesting that you step down from your position, and let your brother run the company. If you still want to remain in the company, then you can have the position of Vice President."

Leonardo’s role, how ironic!

Leonica without second thought was about to turn the offer down when Melvin beat her to the punch.

"I don’t think that would be possible, dad." All head turned towards him. Wearing his usual graceful smile, Melvin added. "I’d like uncle Rodrigo to have that position, seeing as he is my benefactor."

And that about broke the Camel’s back. With one swift movement, Leonica was up on her feet while the chair she had been seating on, crashed to the floor. "This is absurd and I refuse to seat here any longer and listen to it."

Without giving her parents a chance to react, Leonica swiftly stormed out of the room, leaving her parents and Melvin in the garden.

~•~

Leonica was beyond fuming at this point. As she drove to her apartment, her grip on the steering wheel was so tight that her knuckles had begun turning white.

Just the audacity of her brother and her father, had her seeing red.

She had proven herself worthy in other to become the CEO and even worked her butt off to maintain that seat. In a matter of five months since she bad returned, her hard work had skyrocketed Romero Empire, bringing it out of the doldrums Rodrigo had sank it into, and now, all because of Melvin, she was being kicked out.

Just thinking about it gave her a splitting headache. And just as if the universe decided to pardon her, a call came in and much to her delight, it was from Owen.

With a flick of a button, she answered the call and immediately Owen’s voice flowed through the speakers.

"luce mia, how have you been?"

"Not well." Leonica answered honestly, trying her best to not let her emotions slip.

"How so?"

She hesitated before answering. "...Dad’s giving the company to Melvin."

"Well that’s unexpected."

"Yeah, and he wants me to step down from my position as CEO and be vice president instead. But plot twist, Melvin wants me to hand the VP role to Rodrigo."

"Rodrigo?"

"My scheming Uncle. I’m sure he’s behind all this." She sneered. "And for that reason I can’t let the company fall into Melvin’s hand. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it out of his hand, even if it means returning it to its previous state."

The other end of the line was silent for a bit as Owen choose his next words carefully before asking. "You can’t, or won’t?"

"What?"

Leonica heard Owen sigh, followed by the sound of papers being flipped closed. She assumed he had been rehearsing some of his lines when he decided to call her.

"I’m not against you, luce mia, you know that. I will stand by whatever decision you make, and support you, but, are you certain about your choice?"

"What do you mean?"

"You love the company, right?"

"Yes,"

"Then are you certain about your choice, or is this anger and the fear of losing what you love talking?"

Owen’s words struck her like a knife, forcing her to think back to the events that had occurred back in the mansion.

Was she really ready to let the company she had saved from destruction go, or was she merely making a decision because of anger and fear?

"Leonica,"

Owen calling her name snapped her back to reality and she was quick to respond.

"I can’t let the company go Owen, it’s one of the only reason why I am who I am."

"No, no, no, there’s so much more in you than the CEO of Romero empire." He countered. "And you should know that, if anything, that should be what drives you, so, don’t worry yourself, because one way or another, you’d find a way to fix this and I’ll be beside you every step of the way."

Leonica couldn’t help the small smile that graced her face, and a tingle in her heart.

"Thank you Owen."

"Anytime Luce Mia." She could almost hear the smile in his voice. "Now, as much as I’d love to continue hearing your voice, I have a role to rehearse."

"Right, I apologize for taking up your precious time." Leonica playfully said.

"It’s alright, but if you wish to apologize, then how about Lunch in your office tomorrow?"

Leonica smiled, knowing full well that was Owen’s way of asking her out on a date even during their busy schedules. "Alright. It’s a date."

"Then I’ll see you then. Bye luce mia."

"Bye."

When the line went dead, Leonica finally allowed herself to breath.

She hadn’t even realized she was holding it in.

Owen was right, she needn’t worry herself with the problem. She has faced troubles far more tedious than this and she wasn’t going to let a little family drama bring her down.

With her spirit feeling somewhat rejuvenated, Leonica drove straight to her company to carry on about with her day like she always did.

The next day, before leaving, she took a marker and marked the day after tomorrow on her bedside calendar, giving herself a hand made reminder that she had to drop Ashley off at Gabriel’s and visit Owen’s family villa.

Not forgetting to, she grabbed her tablet off her nightstand and shoved it Into her bag.

After dropping Ashley off at school, and making her way to the office, Leonica was glad to note that her spirit was feeling lighter than usual.

Perhaps it was the fact that her brother and father had given her a breather and hadn’t called, or the thought that she had a lunch date with Owen today, Leonica could not tell, but her mind was in a good place, which is why when she stepped out of the elevator, she greeted the workers and receptionist with a smile and a good morning.

However, as she walked past the receptionist desk, and into the main hall, her smile dropped as her eyes caught sight of the person sitting comfortably in her chair.

Melvin.

He too seemed to notice her and a smile coated his lips.

"What are you doing here?" She demanded as she walked closer.

Melvin was unfazed by her tone, choosing to smile and greet her. "Good morning, my lovely sister."

"Don’t good morning me." Leonica snapped, her patience already running thin and her happiness from seconds ago fading. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Melvin’s eyes widened at her sudden hostility and with a frown, he rose up from her chair.

"Well, I’d expect the CEO of the company I’ll soon be running would be more welcoming. Then again, I guess we both have things to learn from each other."

His words made her blood boil.

"Get out." She hissed, not caring if they were attracting attention.

Melvin simply sighed. "I will, but first, I have a message to pass along from out father." He began and when Leonica didn’t say anything, he continued. " ’Starting now, you my lovely sister, have 48 hours to vacate your position, else it would be forcefully stripped from you."