My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 39: Officially Meet

It had been a few days since Leonard’s last encounter with his father—a conversation he was still trying to shake off. The idea of an arranged marriage wasn’t just outdated, it felt insulting. As if his life, his future, was some business transaction to be negotiated over brandy and handshakes.

The afternoon sunlight slanted through the wide windows of Claudio’s house. Leonard sat on the edge of the velvet armchair, elbows resting on his knees, a frown carved permanently into his face as he ranted to his older brother.

"I mean, how could he just... drop that on me? Like it’s a casual dinner plan," Leonard muttered, fingers raking back his hair. "He just handed me a photo and said ’this is your future wife’ like we’re living in the 1800s."

Claudio sat across from him, calm as always, a mug of coffee in hand, his dark eyes studying his younger brother.

"He’s old-fashioned, Leo. You know that," Claudio said. "But he’s not trying to punish you. He just thinks it’s time you settle down."

Leonard scoffed. "Settle down? I’m not even thirty. And with someone I don’t even know?"

Claudio leaned back, expression thoughtful. "He said she’s kind, smart, grounded."

"He said she’s his good friend’s daughter or whatever," Leonard corrected sharply. "Like I care about it."

A car door shut outside. Claudio tilted his head toward the window.

"That must be Paula," he said with a casual smile. "You don’t mind, right? I told her to bring her over."

Leonard sighed and waved a hand. "It’s your house. I’m used to being the third wheel by now."

Claudio smirked as he stood up. "Not for long."

Leonard shot him a glare but didn’t rise from the chair. He didn’t have the energy to argue about his so-called "soon-to-be-ended" single life.

A few moments later, the front door opened and Paula stepped in, a bright smile on her face. She beamed when she saw Claudio, crossing the room to kiss him on the cheek, then turned and gave Leonard a warm hug.

"Leo! Long time no see. Still brooding, I see."

"It’s my best skill," Leonard replied with a smirk.

Claudio looked over her shoulder. "You came alone?"

Paula turned, blinking in surprise. "No, I came with—" She looked around and frowned. "She was just right behind me..."

Leonard arched a brow, straightening slightly.

Paula stepped back out the door and, after a moment, returned, dragging someone gently by the wrist. A woman.

Leonard’s breath caught.

There she was. The woman from the other day. The one who’d blocked his way in front of his father’s study. The one whose image he still couldn’t shake.

"Come on, Katherine, don’t be shy," Paula said with a gentle laugh, urging the woman forward.

Katherine smiled nervously, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Leonard. Her smile faltered slightly, as if she, too, recognized him.

Claudio and Paula exchanged a knowing look. Leonard felt the trap snap shut.

"You set me up," Leonard muttered under his breath to Claudio.

Leonard’s jaw tightened as the realization sank in. Of course. Of course Claudio hadn’t invited him over just to "talk." The man couldn’t stage a simple lunch without orchestrating some kind of hidden agenda, let alone a one-on-one conversation without strings attached.

And Paula—sweet, charming Paula—had been in on it, too. That soft, coaxing tone, the gentle reminders of how "grown up" and "responsible" Leonard had become lately. All of it was a prelude to this.

Claudio’s lips twitched into a barely concealed grin. "Don’t be dramatic. We just thought it was time you two finally met—properly."

Leonard gave him a hard stare. "Is that what we’re calling it now?"

Claudio gave an easy shrug. "What would you call it?"

"An ambush," Leonard said flatly, then turned toward Paula. "Really? You, too?"

Paula raised her hands innocently, but her eyes twinkled with guilt. "We just wanted to break the ice. You’ve both been... dancing around this."

Leonard was about to fire back when Katherine cleared her throat gently. He looked at her with posture a mixture of politeness and hesitation, like someone who had walked into a job interview and realized halfway through it wasn’t the position she’d applied for.

Her voice was soft but steady. "If this is too strange, I can go."

The sincerity in her tone stopped Leonard short. His irritation faltered, making room for something else—curiosity, maybe. Empathy, even. She didn’t look like someone enjoying the drama of the moment. In fact, she looked like she wanted to disappear.

Claudio leaned in slightly, voice low. "Just talk to her. Get to know her. You might actually like her."

Leonard’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

What was he supposed to do now other than just follow along?

Run away? That would look pathetic. His pride wouldn’t let him, not in front of Claudio, Paula, or the woman they were so determined to make his future. Walking out would make it look like he was afraid, like he couldn’t handle a conversation without bolting.

He wasn’t about to give them that satisfaction. Straightening his posture, he pushed down the urge to leave. Whatever this was, he would face it head-on.

Paula gestured between them. "Leonard, this is Katherine. Katherine, Leonard."

Katherine took a small step forward, extending her hand with a polite smile. "Hi, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Katherine Anderson."

Leonard stared at her hand for a heartbeat too long, then rose to his feet slowly. His eyes finally lifted to meet hers, cool and unreadable.

"Leonard," he said simply, and took her hand.

Her skin was warm, soft. Her grip firm, but not forced.

She smiled again, this time wider, the kind that reached her eyes.

"So... now we officially meet," she said with nervously.

Leonard didn’t smile back. He just nodded once. Inside, though, his thoughts were a tangle.

So this was her.

And this was just the beginning.