Chapter 5

Leopold went with his motorcycle; not even two kilometres later, he turned towards a skyscraper building. He headed to the basement of an office building, where he parked a black van to change his disguise. 

Shortly afterwards, a handsome man, neatly dressed, emerged from the van, carrying a briefcase in his hand like an office worker. He didn't forget thin-framed black glasses perched on the bridge of his nose to perfect his appearance.

He then got into a parked sedan beside him and drove it out of the building. Then, he called Aster. 

"I've sent the documents through a bike courier; he will be waiting for you there," Aster said before his boss spoke.

Leopold let out a slow breath and began feeling threatened by Aster's skill. He was afraid that no one could replace her in the future. Aster's standards for the assistant profession were too high, and he started to rely so much on the ease provided by the old woman.

"Thank you, Aster," he said appreciatively.

"Hmm... Don't think your appreciation can make me stay if you don't raise my pay soon," Aster retorted.

Leopold chuckled at his assistant's complaint about her salary, even though he had given her more than the standard assistant salary, even for professionals.

"Oh, come on, Aster, what does an old person like you need money for anyway? You're not allowed to retire; you must work for me until you can't get up anymore. So, what's the money for? It'll be useful for me, who is still young..." Leopold joked because he knew Aster wouldn't be offended.

"Oh my, I'm not surprised you're not married until now; you're so stingy," Aster replied teasingly.

Leopold could imagine the old woman pouting as she said it, complete with squinting eyes while looking at him. Of course, Leopold didn't bother with his assistant's words.

"If only you were ten years younger, Aster... I would surely make you my wife," Leopold teased. At the other end of the phone, Aster pretended to gag, making Leopold laugh.

"Uh-huh, Randall is calling you," Aster suddenly informed before she hung up.

Leopold frowned, wondering why his last client was contacting him. He felt their business relationship had ended yesterday afternoon, and he wasn't interested in working together again. It created a sense of attachment.

"Just ask him the reason," Leopold denied the extension call from Randall. His tone changed to a serious one.

Aster's response to Randall was heard only with a hum; in her formal tone, she said, "Thank you for contacting Matricide Agency; your issue will be forwarded to field agents for further action. Please wait for our update soon, thank you."

Click

Aster disconnected the call, and Leopold patiently waited for Aster's report. 

After a brief pause, a sigh from Aster was heard before she said, "Randall said that his wife disappeared, and Liliana looked for you; there's a letter left by Liliana for her husband to prove his accusations. If proven right, he will expose your business, and the contract agreement will be void," Aster concluded with a breath.

"Why do you sound disappointed, Aster?" teased Leopold, holding back laughter. 

He knew well why his assistant sounded that way; their agency was never free from threats from the business tycoons' spouses. However, Leopold knew they were bluffing because their employment contract was a double-edged sword. Leopold could threaten to expose their misdeeds to the public.

Their agency provided services with unlimited issues; their clients had reputable backgrounds, ranging from entrepreneurs to artists and even government officials. However, the requests Leopold could fulfil were only related to women. Due to the lack of a different-gender colleague, he couldn't accept requests to seduce men.

The personal affairs service he handled was susceptible to protests from clients as they felt embarrassed. Leopold intentionally created scandals for their partners to trap them, and the primary reason was usually wealth-related.

They were willing to pay him a substantial amount to keep Leopold quiet and ensure confidentiality with professional work. Leopold's business increased through word of mouth due to the secrecy he provided. Instructing just anyone would make them vulnerable to blackmail. 

That's why Leopold still didn't have any other agent partners; he couldn't trust anyone except Aster, of course.

In the beginning, he remembered that quite a religious old woman repeatedly wanted to resign, thinking she was working as an assistant to a gigolo. However, over time, Aster understood that he was a high-class gigolo. 

"Haha…" he laughs as he successfully manipulates Aster with his wordplay.

"Working with you never feels peaceful; it's as if I could be laid off at any time because your company might close," Aster complained.

"Oh, Aster, I won't fall without dragging down those who have used my services," replied Leopold.

There was a pause from Aster. Leopold knew the woman was considering her words and how their previous clients would fear if their agency fell. In their cooperation clause, their cases would be spread to the public. 

Indirectly, Leopold ensured a bond among clients. Not only would he step forward when someone challenged him, but his past clients would also intervene to silence Leopold's enemies.

"Well... What about Randall, then?" Aster brought up.

"You know I have no dealings with former clients. I know you know what to answer. The guy just wants to fool around with me," replied Leopold, then he ended their phone call because he had arrived at his destination.

A bicycle courier awaited him, handing over the documents he needed. He accepted them and generously tipped the courier, who expressed gratitude multiple times. Leopold nodded before entering the house that had been converted into an orphanage.

A friendly social worker welcomed him, and Leopold handed over the documents. The woman received them, checked their validity, and invited him to tour the facility to see the children living there. 

The initially calm atmosphere suddenly became chaotic when two 5-year-old boys started quarrelling with some younger children. The smaller ones were crying from being hit by the oldest boy.

Leopold asked the social worker about it, and the boy looked at them with a guilty expression, head bowed. Leopold approached him.

"What you did to those kids is unacceptable," he reprimanded coldly.

"Yeah... I know, but they said you wouldn't choose me because I'm the oldest," the boy replied.

"Why do you want to be chosen? Isn't staying and ruling the orphanage fun?"

The boy lifted his head and looked at Leopold with bright brown eyes, straight black hair, and a sad expression.

"Because I want to have a family; I don't want to be alone forever," he answered innocently and sincerely.

Leopold was almost taken aback by the boy's response, even though it made sense and was simple; he didn't anticipate it. Without much consideration, he chose the boy.

On the way home, Leopold glanced at the boy, who couldn't stop smiling so widely. "What's your name?"

"Mark," he replied.

"From now on, your name is Mark Ashford."

"Will I have my room later? What about my school? I can read already; the nurse said I'm a smart kid," the boy excitedly shared.

Leopold frowned; Aster didn't prepare him for this hassle at all. His apartment consisted of only one room! And he hadn't prepared anything to accommodate a 5-year-old.

"Mm... We'll figure it out along the way," Leopold answered casually.

"Will I have a mom too?" the boy asked again with a cheerful tone, his eyes beaming, filled with dreams being concocted in his mind.

Leopold stared; Aster had to take responsibility for the complications of this idea!