The Billionaire’s Aloof Wife

After Leila sent off Sunshine, she discussed the details of tomorrow's press conference with Macey. After they had come to terms, she hurriedly went to the Imperial Medical Hospital to visit Allen.

When she reached Allen's ward, she was stunned to see Krissy inside the room. It seemed the latter felt her gaze as she turned and faced her.

"Oh, hello. Come here," Krissy greeted her and smiled brightly.

Krissy had been visiting Allen in the hospital for the past five years. The two hadn't met because Leila had stayed abroad for those years.

Leila walked over and stood next to Krissy. When the latter visited Allen last time, the nurse told her about his condition. She raised her head and looked at Leila and beamed. "It's a miracle, isn't it? A few days ago, when I visited, the nurse told me his condition had deteriorated. But today, there are signs of recovery."

"Soon, he'll wake up," Leila replied. Her eyes gleamed with undisguised happiness as she looked at the unconscious young man.

Krissy hummed in agreement and grumbled, "I haven't seen you in five years, yet you haven't changed at all."

Then she handed Leila a cup of tea she had brewed.

"Well, you too," Leila stated as she took the teacup.

Krissy harrumphed and flipped her wavy hair. Of course, she knew what Leila's words meant. It was about her dedication and love for Allen that didn't fade in those five years.

She eyed Leila and sized her up. "If he wakes up, can you let him go?"

Leila's eyelids trembled, but she didn't speak.

Upon seeing this, Krissy blustered, "Leila, you're so selfish!"

She sneered and added, "Indeed, you haven't changed. You're still selfish. But I won't sit idly and watch Allen get hurt because of you!"

"Okay. Let's see." Leila was unperturbed, despite seeing the fire flickering in Krissy's gaze.

The improvement in Allen's condition and the successful contract signing uplifted her mood. Thus, she stayed in the hospital and chatted with Krissy for a while. And when she was about to leave, Krissy sent her off to the door.

Krissy finally calmed down. Her face didn't have a tinge of anger she showed earlier. "Since you have already returned, visit my grandpa. He keeps talking about you, so he'll be glad if he sees you."

"I will." Leila smiled softly before leaving.

Krissy closed the door while Leila went home. As soon as she arrived, she dragged her heavy body to her bed and unknowingly fell asleep.

The next day, she woke up early and prepared for the press conference.

The Leighton and Wright families' strong collaboration was a notable event within and beyond the business industry. Even Tesanera City's officials gave it great importance and personally phoned her father, stating they were pleased to see the two leading enterprises collaborating.

When she arrived at the company, everything was ready. The press conference started precisely at ten o'clock. Aside from Zachary, who wasn't present, all the board of directors showed up.

Leila wasn't used to wearing corporate attire, but as a newly promoted executive and the person in charge of the project, she donned a khaki suit and tied her hair in a bun. She quickly rose to that position, attracting a lot of attention. Hence, she needed to dress up.

The press conference had gone smoothly. However, the temperature inside the conference room became low as one of the reporters aggressively threw a question at Leila.

"Excuse me, Miss Wright, are you going to join Wright Corporation when you have just returned to America?"

Leila stiffened for a fleeting second, then composed herself and smiled at the reporters despite the continuous light flashes. She responded in neither a humble nor arrogant manner. "Starting tomorrow, I'll oversee this project, and I'll be responsible for the cooperation with the Leighton Corporation."

"Miss Wright has just entered the Wright Corporation, but you already want to take it over? Is it because you're dissatisfied with how Mr. Clark runs the company?"

Leila was unfazed. "Wright Corporation doesn't just belong to my family. There are also other shareholders. However, as a filial daughter, I want to share my father's worries because he's not getting any younger."

Leila smiled inwardly. There wasn't anything wrong with what she said, but the meaning underlying her words implied that her father had to retire because he was old.

Philip, who was watching from the sidelines, was livid. But he suppressed his anger because of the cameras pointing at him.

Meanwhile, the reporter who asked that question was stumped by her reply. However, other reporters wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.

"So why is Miss Wright in charge of this project instead of Vice President Clark?"

The confident smile on Leila's lips froze. She fastened her expression and spoke calmly, "Vice President Clark doesn't have time because she's preparing for her marriage."

Without giving Leila any face, one of the reporters threw another question everyone wanted to ask. "Vice President Clark was spotted shopping yesterday in France. She didn't seem to be so busy, right? Is there any other reason why you said that, Miss Wright?"

Leila's heart sank. 'Damn it! Why did Talia go shopping yesterday?'

She racked her brain to think about what to say, but her mind was utterly blank. Beads of cold sweat broke out on her forehead as everyone in the venue watched her every movement. Some reporters smiled at her, which roused her frustration even more.

Leila felt uncomfortable as if she was sitting on pins and needles. She fiddled with her fingers as she desperately thought about how she would get out of this situation.

Amid her contemplation, the conference room door sprang open, and a majestic figure suddenly emerged in the gap in the door.

Her eyes darted toward him, and Leila had an illusion that the man had just stepped out of the painting. He looked dashing in his well-tailored black suit, and his imposing aura immediately stunned everyone in the room.

"I'll answer you guys on her behalf," Zachary unhurriedly said. He walked to the rostrum and stood in front of Leila.

Leila didn't know if it was unintentional or not. Nevertheless, his tall figure completely blocked those flashing lights from dazzling her.

"Regardless of how much Wright loses, I, Zachary Leighton, will make up for it. In addition, Wright Corporation's reputation is well-known to everyone, and Leighton is pleased to collaborate with such a partner. As for Miss Wright, I admired her for a long time, but alas, she had a cold heart."

As he spoke, Zachary's face seemed like he was regretful.

Nevertheless, his words made the reporters happy even though their previous question wasn't answered. It was because Zachary's words were much more juicy and explosive than Leila's.

Behind him, Leila lowered her head, and a self-deprecating smile flashed on her lips. She didn't know who was more ruthless than them.

Shortly after, the press conference ended perfectly. Leila was grateful for Zachary's timely arrival. If not, then she would have screwed up the press conference.

However, when she looked at Zachary, he was no longer there. She looked at the door and saw him leaving with bodyguards around him, protecting him against the reporters.

She made up her mind and chased after him. She should thank him since he helped her out again.

When she reached the ground floor, she thought Zachary had already left, but she saw him leaning against the luxurious black Maybach while smoking a cigarette.

Leila paused for a moment and thought Zachary's car was just like him, aloof and domineering.

Then she walked over and stopped before him. "Is your stomach okay, President Leighton?"

"Yeah," Zachary said curtly. He flicked off the soot of a cigarette with his finger as he studied the woman in front of him. "Have you recovered from your cold?"

When she heard that, Leila was confused at first, then she remembered her nonsensical excuse at his company's rooftop. She cleared her throat and nodded. She was oblivious to the profound glint that flitted into Zachary's eyes as he stared at her.

"I'll pay back the money within a month." Leila shifted the topic, which made Zachary's eyebrows quirk.

"Are you richer than me?" Zachary said with an amused grin on his lips.

Leila didn't expect this. She choked on her saliva and got caught in a fit of a cough. "No."

"Then don't mention it."

She vehemently shook her head. She didn't want to owe him. That was why she wanted to return it as soon as possible.

Seeing her being stubborn, he sighed. "Alright. Since I invested in Wright Corporation, I'll take ten percent of the shares. How about that?"

Leila hummed in agreement, but she looked at him solemnly. "But you have to wait for the return on investment."

Zachary smiled gently and spoke with his usual deep voice. "Okay. I'll wait for the day you become the president of the Wright Corporation."

A warm current spread through her veins upon hearing his words. At least there was someone who believed she could do it. "I will."

His lips curled up into a smile when he saw her confident look. He threw the cigarette butt into the trash can not far away from him and ruffled Leila's head.

Leila stared at him with surprise, which made him reluctant to part with her. Nevertheless, he retracted his hand, got inside the car, and then drove away.

Leila stood there and watched the departing figure of the car. It took her a few minutes before she returned to her senses.

She didn't have a car, so she had to hail a cab. However, when she was about to leave, someone called her.

"Miss Wright."

She turned and saw it was Sunshine. The latter was sitting in the driver's seat.

"Why are you here, Secretary Moore?" Her brows furrowed in confusion, and she thought, 'Zachary had just left, so why was she here?'

"President Leighton told me to send you home."

"I'm fine, so I won't trouble you-" Before she could finish her words, her phone rang. She fished out the device from her pocket and cast an apologetic smile at Sunshine. "Excuse me. I'll take this call first."

After a few moments, she hung up the phone. It was her father, asking her to come home quickly.

She walked out of the parking lot, but Sunshine followed her.

"Miss Wright, get inside. Mr. Leighton said I should take you home."

Leila felt helpless. She took a deep breath and hopped in.

On the way home, neither of them spoke, and shortly after, they arrived at the Wright Villa.

"Thanks." After expressing her gratitude, Leila alighted from the car and headed inside the house.

Upon entering, she saw her father holding a glass of wine. When he saw Leila, he stood up and strode before her.

Leila's nose wrinkled when she caught a whiff of the strong scent of alcohol from Philip.

"Lei, I have something to tell you. It's not something important, but I want to chat with you." Philip smiled and talked about nonsensical things, which made her thoughts drift away.

It seemed that her father had drunk a lot of wine. His face was flushed red, but she could see he was still handsome even though he was beyond a fifty-year-old man. Otherwise, how could a woman like Shiela, fifteen years his younger, have fancied him when he was an impoverished man?

Moreover, her father was also cunning and business savvy. Thus, he coaxed her mother and grandmother into handing over the Wright Corporation to him.

"Lei, do you have a boyfriend?" After beating around the bush, Philip finally cut the chase.

"No," Leila denied softly.

"Then are you and Zachary dating?" Philip looked at her eagerly, but he failed to see Leila's expression had turned ashen.

"Father, Zachary, and I..." She didn't have time to explain because he had already cut her off.

"Lei, it doesn't matter if you like him. You are also my daughter, so you don't have to worry. You have my back. If Zachary likes you, I won't interfere with your relationship."

Leila pursed her lips and said nothing. She finally understood what he was talking about. It was because Zachary 'confessed' to her during the press conference.

"Lei, don't misunderstand Dad, okay? I didn't say anything during the press conference because there were a lot of reporters. And they would doubt Talia's marriage, so I stayed silent." After explaining, Philip stretched out his hand and was about to pat Leila's head, but the latter dodged. He was embarrassed, so he laughed to mask it.

Leila listened to him, and her forehead creased. 'When did my father's face become so thick?'

"Father, if you don't have anything more to say, I'll retire to my room." Just as she finished saying this, she was about to leave, but Philip caught her arm.

"Lei, since you became the project manager, you're now one of the employees of the Wright Corporation. It would be best if you worked hard because when Talia gets married, I'll give you the position of Vice President," he spoke so enthusiastically that he didn't notice the impatience brewing inside Leila's eyes.

"By the way, today, I discussed investment cooperation with the Martin family, and I thought I should leave this project to you as well. This cooperation with them is essential, so I'm giving you this project because I believe you can do it." Philip smiled until his eyes bent into a crescent shape.

"Okay. I'll do it well," Leila replied tersely. Although she knew that her father might be scheming something because there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, she couldn't bear to let this opportunity slip away to entrenched in the Wright family business.

After agreeing with him, Philip let her go back to her room.

Leila went to the guest room and covered herself with a quilt. It was raining, and the wind gusted inside her room, but she didn't want to close the window. She shuddered from the wind, so she hugged the quilt tighter.

As she stared outside, she was suddenly reminded of what happened in her first year in high school.

Back then, she was taciturn, so she had no friends and didn't get along with her classmates.

When she was about to go home, someone locked the classroom door, and she couldn't get it to open no matter what she did. Coincidentally, it rained heavily, and there was a power shortage. Only the lighting illuminated the dark room.

She sat in the corner, enduring the cold and hunger and the agonizing recollection of her mother's death. As she listened to the shrill thunder, her ears were buzzing as though someone was screaming in her ears. She thought she would follow her mother and almost passed out.

However, she heard hurried footsteps outside, and soon after, the door sprang open. When she raised her head, she saw the school principal and directors, but her eyes settled on the handsome young man.