The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 568

Arthur nodded in understanding. "I imagine your new family plays a significant role in your eldest daughter's refusal to reconnect?"

Leonard's gaze shifted guiltily. "That is definitely a factor."

Arthur's smile was unreadable. "Children are stubborn. Give it a few years; she'll mature and come around."

"Well, the liquor is finally catching up with me. I've already covered the bill, so enjoy the rest of your evening. I'm heading out."

With that, he stood.

His men, who had clearly been waiting in the hall, pushed the door open the second they heard him move. "Boss," one of them greeted.

Arthur gave a curt nod before smiling at the room. "Have a good night, gentlemen."

The departure was so abrupt that half the men were still processing it by the time the door clicked shut.

Once he was gone, the room erupted.

One of the executives immediately sidled up to Leonard. "What did Arthur want to talk about?"

Leonard had been internally panicking, wondering if he had said something offensive to chase the man away.

Hearing the thinly veiled jealousy in his colleague's voice, he instantly puffed his chest out. "Nothing major."

"He's just been out of the country for a while and wanted to get a feel for the local scene."

"You've got some serious pull, Leonard. For him to single you out like that... clearly, he likes you."

"Exactly. Sure, he's lived abroad, but he's a true Peyton. Most of that family stays off the radar, or Harold keeps them under his thumb. Aside from the elusive heir, Arthur is the only Peyton making any real moves."

"Coming back now? He's definitely making a play for the top spot."

Leonard's mind raced.

Connecting the dots between Arthur's sudden return and his intense curiosity about Leonard's daughters, a wild, ambitious theory began to form.

It had all been exposed by a medical examiner named Nora Hayes, kicking off a massive police bust.

"Your daughter was involved in that?"

Gossip was a primal instinct, and while schmoozing with a Peyton was important, digging into a gruesome scandal was equally enticing.

"Was she eating there when it went down? Did she actually eat bone?"

Leonard frowned.

He had just wanted an airtight excuse to leave.

But instead, he had just painted a target on his back.

"Actually, the medical examiner who broke the case, Nora Hayes, is my daughter too."