CHAPTER 236: CHAPTER 236 TOO MUCH

"Leo..." she whispered softly, almost like testing the air.

He didn’t answer. His lashes were still lowered, his expression calm, like a man finally at peace. But his hold only grew firmer, pulling her closer until her back was flush against his chest.

Bella’s face heated even more. She squeezed her eyes shut, whispering in her head, I can’t breathe... this is so embarrassing! Why does he have to hold me like this?

Leo stirred as soon as he felt her soft little wiggles in his arms. His grip instinctively tightened, pulling her back against his chest as if she belonged nowhere else. His voice came out low, rough with sleep, and deeper than usual.

"Sleep more..." he muttered into the curve of her neck, his breath tickling her skin.

Bella’s whole body jolted, her cheeks heating like fire. He was awake?!

"I-I’m not sleepy..." she whispered quickly, her lips pushing into a pout. She tried to shift away again, but that only made him lock her in tighter, his arm like iron around her waist.

His lips curved faintly against her skin as he spoke again, "Then stay like this."

Bella blinked, her heart fluttering violently. Stay like this? Did he even realize what kind of position they were in?!

"N-no! Let me go, Leo... it’s too—too much," she stammered, her voice tiny, face growing hotter the longer his breath ghosted over her ear.

"Too much?" he murmured, finally lifting his head slightly to look at her. His gray eyes, still hazy from sleep, studied her pout, her red cheeks, and the way her lashes fluttered nervously. He leaned closer until his nose almost brushed hers. "Then why is your face so red, hmm?"

Bella gasped and quickly hid her face against his chest. "I-it’s not!" she mumbled into his shirt, making him chuckle softly.

Leo rested his chin lightly on her head, tightening his hold just a little. "You’re terrible at lying, Bella," he said, his tone warm, almost teasing.

Bella’s lips trembled. She bit down on them, not daring to look up at him again. Her pout only grew deeper. "You’re bullying me first thing in the morning," she whispered accusingly.

His chest rumbled with a quiet laugh. "No," he said in that dangerously smooth voice, "I’m just holding what’s mine."

Bella’s heart nearly burst out of her chest at his words. She had no comeback—her whole face was flaming now. She could only squeeze her eyes shut and stay there, trapped in his arms, while he looked more satisfied than he had in days.

***

When Bella finally came downstairs with her cheeks pink, she froze at the sight of the maids staring at her with knowing smiles. They lowered their voices but not enough to hide their giggles, exchanging glances as if they had witnessed some great secret.

Bella’s face burned instantly. What do they think happened? she panicked, clutching her cardigan tighter as she hurried toward the dining table.

***

Leonardo was walking downstairs, his expression unreadable as always. The house was quiet in the late morning, sunlight streaming through the tall windows, but the silence broke when he caught a low whisper near the corner of the second-floor corridor.

His steps slowed.

A maid stood half-hidden by the wall, phone pressed to her ear, her back turned. She didn’t notice him at first.

"Yes... yes, they came down late this morning... I think something happened...," she whispered quickly.

Leonardo’s eyes narrowed, sharp and glacial.

"What are you doing?" His deep voice rolled across the corridor like thunder.

The maid froze. Slowly, she turned, and her face drained of color when she saw him—standing a few steps above, towering, his hand already outstretched.

"Phone," he said coldly.

Her hands shook so violently she nearly dropped it as she extended it toward him. But when he tried the screen, it flashed locked. Password required.

He looked at her, his jaw tight. "Password."

Her lips trembled. "S-sir..."

He descended the last few steps in two strides, stopping directly in front of her, his presence suffocating. His hand moved so fast she flinched as the barrel of his gun touched her forehead, his gray eyes drilling into her.

"Don’t waste my time. Open it." His tone was sharp, lethal.

She nearly sobbed, fumbling at the screen. Once. Twice. Both wrong.

Leonardo’s patience thinned. His voice dropped even lower, smooth but laced with a terrifying edge. "Are you stupid, or are you trying to die here?"

The third attempt finally unlocked it. She held it out to him with both hands, head bowed as if begging for her life.

He snatched it, scrolling with practiced ease. And there it was—recent calls, all marked under the same name. Jay.

His lips curved, but it wasn’t a smile, it was a cold and dangerous sneer.

"Tell me," he asked, his tone deceptively calm, "do I pay your salary... or does Jay?"

Her knees buckled. "Y-you, sir!" she stammered, her entire body trembling.

"Then remember who you serve," he said flatly, his voice slicing through the air.

**

The phone rang once before Jay picked up, his voice far too cheerful. "Bro! You caught my spy, huh?"

Leonardo’s voice was deep, clipped, dangerous. "What are you so interested in your brother’s love life for?"

Jay coughed, then pouted into the phone though Leo couldn’t see it. "Hey, don’t glare at me through the phone, alright? It wasn’t even my idea! Grandma told me to keep an eye on you—she wants to know if you’re faking this marriage or if it’s real. You know how she is." His tone turned pitiful.

Leo sat back in his chair, fingers drumming slowly on the desk. "Got it," he said coldly. "Did she tell you when she’s coming?"

"Nope!" Jay sighed loudly. "Grandma loves surprises, remember? She’ll probably pop in out of nowhere just to see us panic. That’s her style."

Leonardo chuckled darkly, the sound smooth but humorless. "She is unpredictable."

Jay grinned, voice turning sly. "But bro... did that happen?"

Silence from Leo. His voice dropped a note colder. "What."

Jay laughed nervously. "The maid said you and Bella came out very late this morning. Hehehe..."