CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 355 MY ASSISTANT?

Bella stood stiffly in front of him, dressed in her Isaac disguise, wearing a white shirt, black slacks, and her hair tied back neatly under a wig. She was late, frustrated, and completely unaware that she looked far too adorable when angry.

Leo stood near her desk, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a file he wasn’t even reading. His tone was cool, but the faint curve of his lips betrayed his amusement. "Why are you late, Mr. Isaac Snow?" he asked, his voice smooth and authoritative—the kind that made everyone else in the room go silent immediately.

Bella glared at him. "Sir, I got late because of traffic," she said through gritted teeth, forcing her voice to sound deeper like a man’s, though it came out soft and slightly trembling.

Leo set the file down and leaned against the edge of her desk, crossing his arms. His gray eyes narrowed with deliberate seriousness. "Traffic, hm?" he said slowly, as if he were thinking of something important. "This isn’t how it’s going to work, Mr. Snow. You can’t show up whenever you like."

Bella frowned, feeling her heartbeat quicken. "I understand, sir," she said, keeping her head low, trying her best to sound obedient even as she could feel his gaze burning holes through her disguise.

"Good," he said. Then he tilted his head slightly, that faint smile appearing again—the one that only she could read. "For punishment, you’ll be working in my office under my eyes. Got it?"

Bella’s fake male composure cracked. She froze, eyes widening. "U-under your eyes?" she stammered.

"Exactly," Leo said, his tone calm but layered with something playful underneath. "I’ll be supervising you personally."

The entire office fell quiet. A few employees exchanged pitying glances, their expressions practically saying, Rest in peace, Isaac.

Bella bit her tongue, bowed slightly, and muttered, "Got it... sir."

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INSIDE LEO’S EXECUTIVE OFFICE

Leo leaned back slightly in his chair, the quiet sound of the air conditioner filling the silence between them. He had asked his assistant to set up a temporary desk beside his own—a punishment, at least in name. In truth, he just wanted her close enough to reach within arm’s length.

Now, watching her sit there disguised as Isaac Snow with that ridiculous cap and fake glasses, Leo was certain of one thing—someone was very sulky.

Bella was typing furiously, pretending to be lost in her work, but the way her lips were pressed tight and her brows twitched every few seconds gave her away completely. Every time he looked her way, she shifted in her chair, crossing and uncrossing her legs like she couldn’t decide whether to stay or bolt out the door.

"Mr. Snow," Leo said finally, his deep voice breaking the silence. "You’re unusually quiet today."

Bella didn’t look up. "I’m working, sir."

"Ah," he murmured, resting his chin on his hand, his gray eyes glinting faintly. "You weren’t this focused before. Did traffic awaken your sense of discipline?"

Her fingers froze for half a second before resuming their clacking. "Yes, sir," she said in the flattest tone possible.

Leo chuckled under his breath. "Good. Keep it up."

A few moments later, he leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice, the edge of teasing slipping in. "Though, you know, sulking doesn’t look very professional, Mr. Snow."

Bella whipped her head up, glaring at him. "I’m not sulking!" she whispered furiously.

"Hmm." He tilted his head with a faint smirk. "Then what’s that little frown doing there?"

Bella turned away immediately, cheeks puffing slightly in frustration. "I’m fine, sir. Please let me focus."

He smiled quietly, hiding his amusement behind the rim of his coffee cup. She was clearly annoyed, but he could tell she was trying not to show it. Every twitch, every little glare made him want to laugh.

His assistant knocked lightly at the door. "Sir, your next meeting is in twenty minutes."

Leo waved a hand dismissively. "Reschedule."

Bella glanced up, startled. "Why? You’re going to miss your meeting!"

He looked at her, voice low and deliberate. "Because I’d rather keep an eye on you, Mr. Snow."

Her jaw dropped slightly, and Leo fought the urge to laugh outright. Watching her try to stay calm while fuming inside might just be his new favorite form of entertainment.

"Go away, I’m not a child!!!" Bella snapped, her cheeks puffed and eyes flashing with anger. Her voice was sharp enough to make even Leo pause. He stared at her for a long second—she looked so serious, so adorably fierce, trying to look like a man while glaring like an angry little bunny.

Leo pressed his lips together, suppressing the smirk that threatened to break out. "Alright, Mr. Snow," he said finally, nodding as if she were an equal in this silent war. "I’ll go."

The door clicked shut behind him, and the office went quiet again.

Bella folded her arms, still fuming. "Go away, he says... as if I’m the one misbehaving," she muttered under her breath, glaring at the computer screen for no reason.

A few minutes later, there was a polite knock on the door.

"Come in," she said half-heartedly, expecting some file delivery.

Instead, a tall, professional-looking woman stepped in, her posture straight and her voice gentle but confident. She carried a tray covered with small plates and cups. "Mr. Isaac Snow," she said with a polite smile, "Boss asked me to bring you chocolate cake, hot chocolate, and some fruit snacks."

Bella blinked. "W-what?"

The woman set everything neatly on Bella’s desk. The chocolate cake looked soft and rich, glossy frosting glimmering under the light. The hot chocolate steamed gently, the scent sweet and calming.

Before Bella could recover, the woman continued, "If you need anything, please press this button here. I’m your assistant now, sir."

"My... my assistant?" Bella repeated dumbly, completely thrown off.

"Yes," the woman said smoothly, handing over a sleek business card. "My name is Jenna Johnson. You can call me anytime."

Then, with a polite bow, she left the room.

Bella stared after her, utterly lost. My assistant??

She turned back to the table. There it was—the most beautiful slice of cake she’d ever seen. The deep brown chocolate gleamed like velvet, a tiny golden label on top spelling La Delizia.

Her irritation evaporated instantly. "Maybe... I can forgive him just a little," she muttered, picking up the fork.

The first bite melted in her mouth—soft, warm, and sweet, just like the feeling blooming quietly in her chest.

She sipped the hot chocolate next, sighing contentedly. "Ugh, he’s so annoying," she mumbled, already smiling. "But he knows me too well."