CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 259 MAD

Bella’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She froze, caught like a thief mid-crime.

Leo began fastening the buttons with deliberate slowness. Every press of his fingers revealed flashes of his chest, hard, defined, maddeningly perfect.

"I-I wasn’t looking at you!" Bella stammered, shaking her head, heat flooding her cheeks.

He finally turned, his eyes locking on her, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. "Good," he drawled, taking a step closer. "Because if you were, I’d have to punish you... and you wouldn’t survive that, little bunny."

Her hands clutched the blanket, dragging it up to her chin. "Y-you’re mad," she muttered, though her voice trembled with more than fear.

Leo tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Mad? No. I’m very real. And you know what’s more real?" His gaze shifted to the mirror, where her wide-eyed reflection was caught behind him. "Mirrors don’t lie. They show everything you secretly crave, even when you deny it."

Bella’s eyes widened in horror as she realized the mirror had betrayed her, exposing every second she had been staring at him like a lovesick fool. She wanted the earth to swallow her whole.

His chuckle was low and sinful, curling through the room. "Careful, Bella. You keep watching me like that, and I might start to think you actually enjoy waking up to this view."

She buried her face in the blanket, muffling a squeak. "I do not!"

"Come out. We need to leave." Leo’s voice was calm but firm, filling the room.

From the bed, a muffled sound escaped. Bella was still buried under the blanket, only the top of her messy hair peeking out.

"Bella." His brows raised as he strode closer.

With a small groan, she peeked her head out, blinking at him. "Do we have to... right now?" she asked, her cheeks warm from hiding under the blanket.

"Yes. Now." His tone softened, but his gray eyes left no room for refusal. He set a black fitted top and cargo jeans on the edge of the bed. "Change into these."

Her eyes widened slightly. He had picked clothes for her? The thought made her chest squeeze strangely. Still, she nodded and dragged herself out from the cocoon of covers, clutching the clothes shyly as she slipped into the bathroom.

When she came out, the outfit fit her perfectly. Leo’s gaze moved over her in one smooth sweep, from head to toe, and for a second his expression tightened as if he was suppressing something. Finally, he gave a small nod. "Good. Let’s go."

"But... my silver dress," Bella said, fidgeting with her fingers. "And the nightdress too." Her ears turned red just mentioning it.

"Someone will fetch it." His answer was simple, final.

She pouted but followed him out, her steps small against the echo of his stride as he led her to the car.

The ride was quiet. At last, she broke it, her voice small. "Where are we going? We’re not going home, right?" She tilted her head toward him, wide doe eyes searching his profile.

Leo leaned back, one arm resting carelessly, his jawline sharp against the soft light. "Hmm."

Bella frowned. "Hmm isn’t an answer!"

His gray eyes slid to hers, pinning her in place. "My company," he said, smooth and commanding.

Her eyes widened. "Why? I want to go home..." she muttered, pouting as she crossed her arms, looking every bit like a sulking little bunny. In truth, her fingers itched to call Scarlett. She needed details about when she was coming here and how Zion had suddenly become her boss. But under Leo’s watchful gaze, all she could do was pout harder.

"I want you to help me find the missing files," he said at last. His voice was calm, but his eyes flashed with something darker, something that made Bella’s stomach flip.

"Oh." Her lips parted, suspicion flickering in her gaze. "That’s all?" she asked softly, but her sideways glances searched him like she could peel away the truth he wasn’t saying.

Leo didn’t answer. The car rolled into the underground parking of Moretti Group. His presence seemed to bend the air itself, making even shadows stand straighter. Bella followed nervously, her small steps trying to keep up with his long stride.

They entered the private elevator. The doors slid shut with a soft hiss.

Bella pressed back against the mirrored wall, fidgeting with her fingers. The glass caught her reflection, her nervous face beside Leo’s tall, intimidating figure. His crisp white shirt, the glint of cufflinks catching faint light, and the quiet aura of power clung to him like a second skin.

She swallowed nervously. "Do we really have to go there now?"

Leo’s head turned slightly, his gray eyes catching hers. "You don’t want to help me?" he asked, his brows arching the slightest bit, his tone low but challenging.

Bella’s heart skipped. "I will help you," she stammered quickly, clutching her purse tighter.

A small, knowing curve touched Leo’s lips, but he said nothing more as the elevator slowed. The doors opened with a soft sound, revealing the upper floor.

Bella stepped out beside him, her eyes widening at once. The floor looked far more luxurious in person than it ever had in the footage she had seen. The smooth marble reflected the gleam of golden lights above, and the air smelled faintly of leather and cologne.

She noticed there weren’t many people working here, perhaps only a handful. Mostly men in dark suits moved with silent precision, and only two or three women stood among them. One of them was older, clearly experienced, while the other two were younger. Their eyes instantly widened when they saw Leo stride out with Bella by his side. They looked curiously at them, but Leo didn’t even blink. His tall figure, his presence, demanded silence.

Bella hurried after him, her shoes clicking softly against the glossy floor as he pushed open a heavy glass door.

"This is my main office," Leo said evenly as he led her inside. "I have another one downstairs too."

Bella’s gaze darted around. Compared to the second office she had seen on the monitors, with its walls lined in blinking screens and constant surveillance, this one felt different. Minimal. Refined. The wide floor-to-ceiling glass walls stretched across the far side, revealing a breathtaking view of the city. The light spilled in, catching on the sharp lines of his dark furniture, the deep leather chairs, the desk that looked as if it belonged to a king rather than a businessman.