CHAPTER 3
Leo Carter.
Leo Carter.
A man whose name carried weight, power, and mystery. Billionaire CEO of Carter Holdings. A man people only saw on TV, magazines, or billboards. A man whose presence made even successful businessmen stammer.
He was tall, dressed in a perfectly fitted charcoal suit. His expression was sharp, intense—eyes like polished steel. His dark hair, slightly tousled from the morning breeze, softened his otherwise intimidating appearance.
He walked toward her with long, confident strides.
Ruby froze.
Her pulse thundered in her ears.
She had never seen someone like him in her entire life.
"Are you alright?" Leo asked, his voice deep, calm, but carrying authority.
Ruby opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her throat felt tight.
She nodded quickly.
But Leo didn't seem convinced. His gaze swept over her—her worn-out shoes, her faded uniform, the small bruise forming on her knee.
"You almost got hurt," he said.
"I'm—I'm fine," she whispered.
A small crowd had gathered, murmuring.
"That girl is lucky. That car almost hit her."
"Isn't that Leo Carter?"
"Why is he talking to her?"
Ruby felt her cheeks burn. She hated attention. She hated being stared at like she didn't belong.
She stepped back, bowing her head.
"I'm sorry for causing trouble."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Trouble? You fell. My driver should have slowed down."
He turned to his driver.
"Martin, watch blind corners. People walk here."
"Yes sir, I'm sorry sir."
Ruby blinked.
A billionaire apologizing on behalf of someone else?
She had never seen humility from even normal rich people, let alone a man like him.
"Do you need to go to a hospital?" Leo asked.
"Oh no sir!" Ruby quickly waved her hands. "Please don't bother yourself. I'm late for school already."
"School?" he repeated, eyes narrowing slightly, as if he was analyzing her entire life from that one word.
He glanced at her torn school bag and the worn strap hanging by threads.
"What school?"
"Ridgeway High," she said softly.
He nodded slowly.
Then, without warning, he crouched slightly—yes, Leo Carter lowered himself—to look at her scrape.
Ruby panicked and stepped back. "Please, sir! You don't have to—"
"You're bleeding," he said, not listening.
"It's just a scratch," Ruby insisted. "I'm used to it—"
She stopped herself.
Leo's eyes lifted to hers sharply.
"Used to it?" he repeated with a tone that was almost too calm. A warning tone.
Ruby's stomach tightened. She looked away. She didn't want anyone to know about her life—especially not a stranger. Especially not a man who could read people too easily.
Leo straightened and nodded to Martin.
"Get the first aid kit."
"No, sir," Ruby pleaded again. "Please, I'm fine. I really need to go—"
"Are you always this stubborn?" Leo asked.
Ruby's breath hitched. "I'm not—"
A tiny smile touched his lips.
"Hold still."
Martin approached with the kit, and Leo took it from him, gently cleaning her knee. His touch was careful but confident—like someone used to taking control.
Ruby stared, confused.
No one in her family had touched her with such care in years.
She didn't understand why a billionaire would kneel to help a girl he didn't know.
When he finished, he stood up, closed the kit, and studied her again.
"What's your name?" Leo asked.
"Ruby," she whispered.
"Ruby…" he repeated, as if testing the name on his tongue. "Pretty name."
She flushed.
No one had said her name with that kind of softness in a long time.
Leo reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek black card.
"If you ever need help," he said, "call this number."
Ruby stared at the card like it was a forbidden object. She didn't reach for it.
"I don't think I should take that," she murmured.
"And why not?"
"Because…" she swallowed, "…people like you don't talk to people like me."
Leo's expression changed—sharp, unreadable.
It wasn't anger.
It wasn't a pity.
It was something deeper.
"Take it," he said simply.
Ruby hesitated.
Leo stepped closer. "Ruby, life doesn't choose who to be kind to. People do."
Her heart trembled.
Slowly, with shaky fingers, she took the card.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Leo gave a small nod, turned, and walked back to the SUV.
The crowd dispersed.
But Ruby didn't.
She stood there, staring at the black card resting lightly in her palm.
Leo Carter - Carter Holdings - Private Line
Her own reflection stared back at her on the glossy surface.