Chapter 4 The encounter

Leon had been busy organizing the shelves of his thriving gadget store, the one the system had guided him to create. It was no ordinary shop. it brimmed with futuristic designs, high-tech gadgets, and the latest must haves for tech enthusiasts. His employees moved with purpose, attending to curious customers who wandered into the sleek, modern space.

Leon kept a low profile, blending into the background as the owner. He had no intention of drawing attention to himself. Not yet. The chime of the door startled him from his thoughts. He looked up, his chest tightening when he recognized the two figures who stepped inside. Sophia, his ex-wife, and Ethan, the man who had been the bane of his existence.

Sophia's heels clicked against the polished floor as she entered, her eyes scanning the store with interest. "Wow," she said, glancing around. "This place is stunning. It's so... trendy. Exactly the kind of shop I'd expect to see in the city."

Ethan smirked, his arm looped casually around Sophia's waist. "Not bad for a place in this town. Let's grab something. You've been wanting a new tech toy, haven't you?" Sophia nodded, her gaze flitting over the displays. "Of course. You know I always have to keep up with what's in."

Leon Carter turned away, pretending to inspect a set of high-tech ear buds on the shelf. His heart thudded as their voices grew closer. "Look at this one," Sophia said, pointing to a sleek gadget displayed on a pedestal. "It's so cute! I could totally use this for my morning workouts."

Ethan chuckled. "Cute? Babe, you don't buy tech because it's cute. You buy it because it's expensive and makes you look important."

Leon bit back a laugh as he listened. They hadn't changed. Not one bit.

As they wandered the store, Sophia's eyes fell on Leon. She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "Wait a second... do I know you?" Leon turned, giving her a brief glance before looking back at the shelf. "Just browsing," he said simply.

Sophia's brow furrowed, and then her lips curled into a sneer. "Oh. My. God. Ethan, look who it is. It's Leon."

Ethan burst into a mocking laughter. "Seriously? What are you doing here, Leon? Stocking shelves? Do you need some spare change?" Sophia giggled, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "What a surprise. The mighty Leon, working in a retail tech shop. I always knew you'd end up like this."

Leon didn't reply. He simply continued adjusting the display, his movements calm and deliberate. "Hey, don't ignore us," Ethan taunted. "What's the matter? Too ashamed to admit you're a failure?

Sophia rolled her eyes dramatically. "Honestly, this is embarrassing. Why are we even talking to him? He might try to make us feel bad for him. Let's just call security. Who knows? He might try to steal something."

Ethan snickered. "Good idea. Hey! Security, We got an intruder here!" A guard appeared, his face stern as he approached Leon. "You," the guard barked. "This isn't a hangout spot. Leave before I make you."

Leon raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. He nodded and began walking toward the exit. But the guard wasn't satisfied. He grabbed Leon by the arm, shoving him toward the door with unnecessary force.

The guard was employed by Leon's manager. He didn't know that Leon is his boss. "Don't come back unless you're buying something," the guard snarled as he pushed Leon outside. Sophia and Ethan stood near the entrance, watching the scene unfold with smug satisfaction. As Leon stood outside, brushing himself off, Sophia called out, "Wait! I forgot something."

She reached into her purse, pulling out the wedding ring Leon had once given her.

With a mocking smile, she tossed it at his feet. "Here," she said. "You can have it back. I don't need it anymore."

Leon didn't flinch. He simply watched as the ring hit the ground with a soft clink.

"Let's go," Sophia said, turning to Ethan.

She grabbed his hand, and as they walked away, she pulled him close and kissed him, throwing a final dagger into Leon's heart. Leon stood silently, watching as they disappeared down the street. A passing customer glanced at him curiously, but he quickly straightened up, his expression calm. He wasn't the same man they used to know.

From the shop's large display window, Leon watched the couple walk away, hand in hand, their laughter echoing in the street. A faint, knowing smile spread across his face.

"Enjoy it while it lasts, I'll make all your life miserable," he muttered to himself. He turned back toward the shop, his gaze sharp and determined. The Winters family had no idea what was coming. Leon wasn't done with them, not by a long shot. He would keep playing the part, biding his time until everything fell into place.

With that Leon made to walk back to the shop but the security man stopped him. "hey, you don't fit in here, take your leave or I'll bundle you out". He ordered.

Leon Carter was becoming furious, didn't his manager tell him whom his boss was before he got him employed to work for him. it was annoying and frustrating but still yet, he kept quite and watched him. He took a glance at him.

Leon disliked the character he display, it made him realized, he prefer the rich over the poor even though him, himself was poor. That was the attitude of men. Leon fired him a stare. He made a call, with that he left the premises as he headed towards his black spot sleek car. he wasn't going to tell him yet.

He was going to humble him and make him beg for Mercy. Leon was unhappy not because of meeting his ex-wife Sophia and her rude boyfriend but because the security guard sided his enemy under his own property. He drove away quietly as he headed home. Thinking about what he would do to him when he gets to work the next day.