CHAPTER 255: CHAPTER 255 GOOD NEWS

Alan’s jaw tightened. For the briefest second, something flickered in his eyes, longing and conflict, maybe both, but then he quickly looked away, pretending to adjust the cuff of his sleeve.

A tense subtle silence settled over the room, enough to make even Casper, who was still scrolling through his phone, glance between them curiously. Zion frowned but said nothing, simply crossing his arms.

"Alright, little sister-in-law, rest well. You’ve had enough drama for one day," Casper said finally, breaking the silence. He winked at her before tugging Zion’s arm.

"Yes. We’ll let you sleep," Zion added more practically.

Alan was the last to move. He gave Bella one final glance, softer this time, before murmuring, "Take care of yourself, Bella."

Then the three of them left, the door closing behind them.

The room fell quiet again.

Bella wasn’t able to sleep again. Her body was tired, but her mind kept racing. She reached for her phone on the nightstand, the screen lighting up the dim room, and started scrolling idly through her notifications. That’s when a message caught her eye.

From Scarlett.

Her heart jumped as she quickly opened it.

Scarlett: I think I will be staying in your city for some months!!! Since my boss’s main base is here!! And do you know who my boss is???? Oh my god, Zion Wu?? Your hubby’s best friend. I can’t believe it, gooooodness.

Bella’s eyes widened so much she almost dropped the phone on her face.

Zion. Wu. Scarlett’s boss?!

Her hands trembled as she read the message again, just to make sure she hadn’t misread it.

Scarlett, her Scarlett, was working directly under Zion?

"Oh my god," Bella whispered to herself, muffling the squeal that wanted to escape her lips. Her cheeks flushed pink as excitement bubbled inside her chest. She hugged pillow tight.

Scarlett was coming here. Staying for months.

She wouldn’t be alone anymore. She could laugh with her, share secrets face-to-face instead of only through messages, maybe even go shopping or sneak off to eat something sweet together. Bella’s heart raced just imagining it.

She sat up straighter, typing quickly, then deleting, then typing again, her fingers shaking from excitement.

Maybe I should ask Zion to give her a few days of leave, Bella thought, biting her lower lip. If he’s really her boss, then it won’t be too hard, right? I’ll just tell him it’s for me... and he’s always been nice to me. Then Scarlett and I can finally hang out, like normal girls do.

Her grin widened, unable to control it, her legs kicking under the blanket.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!!" she whispered into her pillow, muffling her voice.

Bella had no idea how she was going to sleep now, not with this excitement coursing through her veins.

She didn’t notice the door had opened.

Leonorado stepped inside, his brows lifting ever so slightly as he caught sight of her. Bella was on the bed, clenched fists pressed against her lap, her legs wiggling restlessly. Then, as if struck by some sudden thought, she shook her body with excitement, her cheeks glowing pink like she had just won a lottery.

He leaned against the wall, silent, his tall frame half-absorbed by the dim light. The single lamp glowing at Bella’s side left the rest of the room in shadow, painting his face in sharp lines, making him look dangerously handsome.

Her body froze mid-wiggle when she realized he was there. Oh. My. God.

Leo had seen her entire embarrassing dance of excitement.

He pushed off the wall and began walking toward her, each step unhurried yet deliberate. He had changed from his suit into a black shirt that clung perfectly to his shoulders and chest, the sleeves rolled just enough to reveal the strength in his forearms. Shadows played along his jawline, his expression unreadable but impossibly magnetic.

Bella’s face burned crimson. She wanted to vanish.

Without a word, he held out one of the shopping bags. "Go change."

His voice was deep, smooth, and commanding enough to make her heart jump. She flushed hard, nodding quickly, and hurried into the bathroom.

Inside, she opened the bag, and her breath caught. A beige silk nightdress lay folded neatly, its fabric whisper-light, soft, and... far more revealing than anything she had worn before. Beneath it, she found delicate silk underwear, perfectly her size.

Her lips parted. Did he... did he pick these himself?

The thought alone made her knees weak. Her reflection in the mirror showed a face so red she looked feverish. She bit her lip, her hands trembling as she changed into the nightdress, every movement making her blush deeper.

When she finally stepped out, her head ducked low, her hair falling to hide her burning cheeks.

Leo was still by the nightstand, his tall figure bathed in dim shadows, his phone in one hand while the other rested casually in his pocket. He didn’t look up immediately, but the moment he did, his gray eyes slid over her like a slow caress, his expression giving nothing away.

Bella gripped the edge of her nightdress nervously, her heart hammering in her chest.

She walked toward the bed in meek, hesitant steps, her bare feet making the faintest sound against the floor. The silk of her beige nightdress caught the dim light, hugging her young curves, swaying gently with every move she made.

Leo’s gray eyes followed her, sharp and unblinking. His gaze traced the pale length of her legs, smooth and impossibly soft, then rose to the gentle lines of her figure. The fabric draped across her chest, modest yet dangerous, hinting at softness. She was still only nineteen, still blooming but already, she was enough to make his control snap thread by thread.

He waited in silence, his tall frame unmoving, until she finally reached the bed.

Bella sighed in relief when nothing happened, her lips curving into the smallest smile. Maybe, just maybe, he would let her sleep without asking any questions tonight. She shifted happily, about to climb onto the bed with her guard finally lowered.

But in the very next moment, he moved—