Chapter 6
A few seconds later, another message arrived.
This time, it contained a phone number.
Mom: [This is Leonardo Madrigal’s number. He wants all the wedding activities to go his way. So get in touch with him and do whatever he says.]
Jasmine hesitated. This was quite a risky move she and her family were pulling.
For now, she was going to marry Leonardo while pretending to be Maliyah.
But what if Maliyah comes back?
The Madrigals certainly wouldn’t take the deceit lightly and might…
Jasmine released a breath she didn’t know she was holding. She had already agreed to this. Right now, they needed to avoid the Madrigal’s wrath.
So she should focus on this moment.
She copied the number and searched for the account, the profile picture was completely black.
The nickname consisted of only one word.
L.
Without overthinking, she tapped add friend. Her request had barely been sent when the notification changed.
Friend request accepted.
Jasmine blinked.
“So fast?”
It had taken less than three seconds.
Almost as if…he had been waiting.
Before she could think further, the flight attendants reminded everyone to switch off their electronic devices.
She placed her phone into her handbag.
Whatever happened next could wait until after landing.
The plane landed smoothly at Madrid Airport.
Warm air rushed into the cabin as passengers began retrieving their luggage.
After collecting her suitcase, Jasmine followed the crowd toward the arrivals hall.
The moment she stepped outside, her phone rang, it was an unsaved number.
“Hello?”
“Miss Gallo?” A respectful male voice came through the speaker.
“Yes?”
“This is Bruno. I’m Mr Madrigal’s driver. I’m already waiting outside Exit Three.”
Jasmine paused. She wasn’t expecting anyone to come pick her up and definitely not Mr Madrigal’s driver.
Was the driver perhaps going to take her to Mr Madrigal?
Were they meeting already?
Knowing there was no way to avoid the inevitable, she decided to be bold. Her mother had said she needed to do whatever he said.
After ending the call, she pulled her suitcase toward Exit Three.
The flow of passengers gradually thinned.
Outside, rows of luxury vehicles lined the curb.
Before long, a black Rolls-Royce slowly flashed its headlights. A man in a black suit stepped out and respectfully opened the rear passenger door.
“Miss Gallo. I’m Bruno. Please get in.”
Jasmine nodded politely.
“Thank you.”
She rolled her suitcase over before bending slightly to enter the vehicle.
Just as she lowered her head, she caught sight of someone already seated inside.
Her movements froze instantly.
The man occupied the rear seat with effortless composure.
He wore a tailored black suit without a single wrinkle. One hand rested casually on his thigh, while the other held a tablet displaying financial reports.
His facial features were sharp and refined.
His deep eyes were calm yet carried an invisible pressure that seemed capable of freezing the surrounding air.
Even without speaking, he radiated authority.
Her pupils contracted.
She knew this face. Although she had never met him personally, newspapers, business magazines, and countless rumors had made him unforgettable.
Second Master Leonardo Madrigal. Despite being the second master, he was the most feared member of the Madrigal.
A man renowned throughout Spain for his ruthless methods. Countless competitors feared him.
She had imagined many possibilities before coming to Madrid. She had never expected Leonardo himself to appear at the airport. Nor had she imagined he would personally wait for her.
Leonardo slowly closed the tablet. His dark gaze settled quietly upon her.
There was no obvious emotion in his expression, no curiosity, no impatience.
Only calm observation.
For several long seconds, neither of them spoke.
The silence became almost tangible.
Finally, his deep, steady voice broke it.
“You’re Maliyah Gallo?”
It was a simple question.
Yet somehow, it sounded impossible to lie to him.
Jasmine’s heartbeat quickened.
She knew exactly why he had asked.
As far as the Madrigal family was concerned, the woman arriving today should indeed have been Maliyah Gallo.
Not Jasmine Gallo.
Her lips parted slightly.
For a brief moment, she considered explaining everything.
But the promise she had made to her mother echoed in her ears.
Just this once.
Help the family through this issue. Everything else could be clarified later.
Meeting Leonardo’s unwavering gaze, Jasmine swallowed the truth that had reached her lips.
She simply looked back at him.
And offered no denial.
The corners of Leonard’s lips curved ever so slightly, revealing an unreadable expression.
“Get in.” His voice remained calm.
Jasmine silently entered the car, the door closed behind her with a soft click.
