The Billionaire’s Obsession with Green Ariza

The sound of ice clinking in a glass echoed in the spacious living room of Josiah's private estate. He paced barefoot across the marble floor, swirling dark liquor in his tumbler before taking a slow, bitter sip. A fire crackled in the hearth behind him, but the chill in the room remained.

Fredrick's voice came through the phone, low and frustrated.

"We tried everything. Either Joseph has him somewhere untraceable, or the bastard's dead already. I tried bribing staff, traffic cams, off-duty agents. Nothing. His network is too clean. Too tight."

Josiah stopped pacing. "I know. Joseph Leon is too careful. Always has been."

"I even showed up at his company," Fredrick continued, tone defensive. "I thought I'd try to get Green on our side—peacefully. She's smart. I figured she might see the cracks in Joseph's armor."

Josiah let out a sharp laugh. "And you thought she'd just fall into your arms? Fredrick, come on. I don't even know her well, but from the few times I've seen her… she's loyal. Stupidly loyal. And worse—she's in love with him. That's not the kind of woman you buy over with pretty speeches."

Fredrick chuckled dryly. "Her mother doesn't think so. I promised the woman twenty percent of my company if she helps turn her daughter against him."

Josiah raised a brow and smirked. "That's ambitious. But have you considered that… you're in a wheelchair now? A liability. No woman wants that for her daughter. Especially not a beautiful one."

A beat of silence.

Fredrick's tone turned icy. "I wouldn't be in this chair if it wasn't for your brother."

"We're not blood, come on," Josiah said with a dismissive wave, even though no one could see him. "Why don't you arrest him? March into the station, tell them Joseph Leon shot you six times in the legs."

Fredrick exhaled. "You think I haven't tried? I checked the building footage. Nothing. The entire system was wiped clean. It's like he never came in—or left. No proof. And let's not forget—we killed his father. We drag in the cops, and we're the ones rotting behind bars. And you? You're still a fugitive for skipping your arrest."

Josiah sighed heavily. "I know. All this—everything—it's his fault. That godforsaken animal. I won't rest until he's down. Until Joseph Leon is nothing but a name buried in the dirt."

Fredrick nodded slowly. "He's always one step ahead. But we'll get there. Carefully. Slowly. We get Green—even if it's the hard way. That'll break him. And when Joseph falls, he'll fall for good."

A voice cut through the room just like a blade.

"Or maybe you're the one who falls first."

Fredrick turned sharply, heart leaping into his throat.

The phone dropped from his hand and shattered on the floor.

Joseph Leon stood at the threshold, arms relaxed behind his back, eyes dark as midnight. His calm, chilling smile stretched like something out of a predator's dream.

Fredrick's face drained of color. "How the hell did you get in here? Who are you, really?"

Joseph stepped forward slowly, like a man completely unbothered by the danger around him. "Joseph Leon," he said simply. "And I became dangerous the day you couldn't leave what's mine alone."

He stopped just a few feet from Fredrick.

"Haven't you heard? No one touches what belongs to Joseph Leon—the world's most powerful oil mogul. I spared your life when I took your legs. Maybe I shouldn't have."

Joseph tilted his head, lips curled in mock curiosity.

"You know what they say about a stubborn fly?"

Fredrick's voice trembled. "Please…"

Joseph's eyes narrowed. "It dances near the coffin… until it follows the corpse inside."

He took a breath, then added, quieter but colder:

"And yes, I heard you confess. About killing Leon Cain—my father. God bless his soul."

He turned his head slightly.

"Ken."

Footsteps echoed. A tall, clean-cut man in a dark suit with gloves stepped into view, silent as a shadow. His eyes locked on Fredrick. No words. No mercy.

Fredrick's mouth quivered. "Please… don't. I won't go near Green again. She's yours. I swear. Please don't kill me."

Joseph's voice lowered, not with rage—but with pity.

"I gave you a chance, Fredrick. A real one. But you spat on it. You're a danger to her now—and I don't let anyone threaten her."

He stepped even closer, until he could see the whites of Fredrick's terrified eyes.

"Showing your face at my company. Whispering to her. Plotting. You should've changed your passwords. Should've paid your men better. Turns out the guard at the elevator was more loyal to my wallet than yours."

Fredrick flinched.

"We bribed your security. And your assistant? He told us everything . You were always careless. Arrogant. That's what got you here."

Joseph straightened, adjusted his cufflinks.

"If you reach the spirit realm… give my father a message."

He looked at Ken.

"Five shots."

The silence was shattered by five muffled gunshots. Fredrick gasped, then collapsed, bleeding from the chest, his body folding like a marionette cut loose.

Joseph stepped over him, crouched beside the lifeless form, and whispered:

"In your next life… don't touch what belongs to another."

He stood, picked up the cracked phone Fredrick had dropped, slipped it into his coat pocket, and turned to Ken.

"Let's go."

The two men left, leaving behind silence, and a corpse with a price paid in full.

—

Joseph paused just as he entered the expansive lobby of Leon Corp, his hand buried in his pocket. The sharp click of his Italian shoes echoed softly as employees greeted him with respectful nods and hushed voices. He responded with a simple nod, his face unreadable. Then he saw her.

Green.

She stood near the glass railing, sunlight streaking through the high windows and hitting her bare legs, her short dress clinging to her curves, her heels clicking softly against the floor. Stunning. She was supposed to be waiting for him—his office, their space—after their reconciliation the day before. But instead, she was being cornered.

A man in a crisp white suit had taken her by the hand.

Joseph didn't move. He simply folded his arms across his chest and observed.

The man looked young, clean-shaven, eager. A fresh hire, clearly—he didn't even recognize the woman he was foolishly hitting on.

Green looked startled, blinking at the man, her voice polite but clipped.

"Is everything okay?"

"I just had to say—you're the most beautiful woman I've seen in this building," the man said confidently. "You work here, right? Can I get your contact?"

She paused. Looked him up and down. Her expression gave nothing away, but her voice held steel.

"We can't know each other. We shouldn't."

He laughed and stepped into her path.

"Why not? I mean, I'm new, yeah—but we're colleagues. Sure, you're higher up, but I'm just saying—"

"Well, Franklin," she interrupted coolly, "I'm already in a relationship. So thank you, but no."

Franklin glanced down at her fingers. "No ring. You're still single to me."

Joseph sighed. That was enough.

His long strides carried him forward. In seconds, he was at Green's side. One hand wrapped firmly around her waist. The other adjusted the cuff of his jacket like a man preparing to end a nuisance.

His voice was low. Calm. Dangerous.

"You must really enjoy playing with fire."

Franklin's mouth opened. "Who—?"

Joseph didn't let him finish.

"Her man," he said evenly. "The one who owns this building. And the one who could end your career before you find your desk."

Franklin blinked, realization dawning too late. He looked from the hand on Green's waist to Joseph's tailored suit… then up at his face.

"Oh… shit."

"I'd advise you," Joseph continued, his tone glacial, "to never lay hands on what belongs to me. You understand?"

"I—I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't know. I just started today. You're my inspiration, Mr. Leon. I didn't mean—"

"Then walk away," Joseph cut in. "And next time, use your eyes before you use your mouth."

Franklin swallowed hard. "Yes, sir."

Joseph turned, guiding Green away with his arm protectively around her. She leaned into him slightly, the tension in her shoulders finally relaxing.

From a distance, someone else had been watching.

Isabel.

Her arms were crossed over her chest, lips tight, expression unreadable. Her eyes followed Green as she disappeared into the elevator with Joseph. A single sentence left her mouth in a whisper.

"Who is she really?" Isabel murmured. "And what can I find out about her?"

She turned, walking to her office—but her thoughts had already begun plotting.