CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 192 YOU SHOULD LEARN TO TRUST BELLA

"Bro, we’re going to be late! Let Bella connect with her friend!" Jay said, grabbing Leo by the arm and tugging him toward the door. His tone was light, but his eyes flicked between his brother’s face and Jace like he already knew exactly what was going on in that head of his.

Leo didn’t move at first, his tall frame rooted to the spot, eyes still locked on Jace with that cold, hard stare—like he was one second away from ending the man’s entire existence.

Finally, he gave the smallest nod, though every muscle in his body was tense. He didn’t like the idea of leaving Bella alone here—not even for a second. Especially not with this guy who had somehow managed to show up looking like that.

But without a word, he let Jay drag him toward the door, his steps heavy, the air around him still sharp enough to make the maid keep her head down as they passed.

In the car, the tension was so thick it felt like even the air didn’t dare to move. Leonorado’s hands were gripping the steering wheel tight enough that his knuckles turned pale. His voice was low but sharp, each word carrying that controlled fury he was so good at hiding from outsiders.

"Don’t you see he’s dangerous? We need to investigate him," Leo said coldly, his eyes still fixed on the road ahead but his mind clearly somewhere else—most likely back in that living room with Bella and Jace sitting far too close for his liking.

Jay groaned, leaning his head back against the seat. "Yes, bro, calm down! I already asked my personal investigators to check him out the moment Bella said he was coming. They’re on it."

Leo’s grip on the wheel loosened—just a fraction—but his jaw was still tight. "But we shouldn’t have left her with that—"

Before he could finish, Jay reached over and smacked him lightly on the arm. "Bro, bro, bro! Bella said he’s her friend, and she looked comfortable with him. You can’t be serious right now. You should learn to trust Bella."

Leo’s eyes narrowed, but after a long pause, he muttered, "You’re right."

Jay smirked, sensing his rare moment of victory, and added slyly, "And I trust her friends more than I trust your friends."

Leo’s jaw twitched, his face giving absolutely nothing away, and he didn’t bother to answer—though Jay caught the faintest glint in his brother’s eyes, the kind that meant he was thinking about exactly how much he hated losing an argument.

***

"Oh my goodness!" Jace leaned forward the moment they sat down, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Scarlett wasn’t lying when she said you’re cuter than a teddy bear!"

Bella’s eyes went wide, and before she could react, he reached out and gently squeezed her cheeks.

"Hey—!" she swatted his hands away, her voice carrying that small, annoyed pout that made her look even softer.

Jace chuckled, completely unbothered. "Haha, I thought I’d have to call you big sister... but now I think I’ll have to call you little sister~~" His tone was teasing, drawing out the words in a playful sing-song.

Bella shook her head but couldn’t help smiling. "You’re so annoying," she muttered, though the warmth in her voice betrayed her amusement.

Just then, Aunty Clara appeared with a tray of snacks and two glasses of juice, setting them on the table with her usual gentle smile. "Eat before it gets cold," she said warmly.

"Thank you, Aunty Clara," Bella said, already picking up a piece of cake.

Jace reached for his juice and leaned a little closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "Oh, and Scarlett told me about your husband too. You don’t mind me being here, right?" His gaze was curious, searching her face.

Bella paused, then shook her head lightly. "It’s okay," she said simply.

Jace let out a long, exaggerated sigh of relief, leaning back into the couch with a grin. "Phew. Good. I was worried I’d have to sneak out in the middle of the night before he found me."

Bella giggled, taking a sip of her juice.

Bella leaned back on the couch, still giggling as she popped a small piece of cake into her mouth. "Scarlett told me you’re ugly!!" she said between laughs, the mischief in her eyes shining brighter with every word. "But... you’re not bad at all!" she added teasingly, looking him up and down as if giving him a mock inspection.

Jace put a hand over his heart, pretending to look deeply offended. "She told you that?!" His voice rose in fake shock before he shook his head dramatically. "Goodness, she’s always jealous of my looks! You know how it is—some girls just can’t stand the idea that a guy can be more beautiful than them."

Bella snorted, covering her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing too loudly. "Beautiful? Really? Now you’re just exaggerating."

"I’m not exaggerating, little sister," Jace said, leaning closer with a grin that was far too confident. "Do you think I wake up every morning like this by accident? No, no, it’s all natural." He ran his fingers through his messy blonde hair as if to prove his point.

Bella rolled her eyes. "Please, your hair looks like you fought with a pillow and lost."

He gasped, clutching at his chest as if she had wounded him. "Ouch! My pride! How could you? I came all the way here, homeless and starving, hoping to see a friendly face, and this is how you welcome me?"

"You’re not starving," Bella shot back with a laugh. "Aunty Clara gave you enough snacks to feed a whole village."

Jace glanced at the table with mock seriousness. "True... but you see, I only came for the snacks. Meeting you was just a bonus."

Bella narrowed her eyes, pretending to look offended. "Oh, so that’s how it is?"

Jace grinned and took another bite of cake. "Exactly. And I have to say, Scarlett is going to be so mad when I tell her you called me ’not bad.’ She’s been trying to convince everyone I’m some troll living under a bridge."

Bella laughed again, shaking her head. "Well, you did live under a bridge..."