CHAPTER 357: CHAPTER 357 SUICIDAL GENIUS

Carrying the glass of juice carefully, Jace walked quietly toward Jay’s room. The door was slightly open, and the soft rhythm of Jay’s breathing filled the silence. He peeked in and saw Jay already asleep, his arms awkwardly wrapped in bandages resting above the blanket. A small smile touched Jace’s lips. "Idiot," he muttered affectionately under his breath. "Finally got tired of talking."

He set the glass of juice gently on the bedside table, making sure it wouldn’t spill, then walked over to the couch near the window. The curtains swayed faintly with the breeze as he sank into the cushions, stretching his legs out and rubbing the back of his neck.

When he pulled out his phone, several missed calls glared back at him—all from Dom.

Jace sighed. Here we go again.

He hit redial, leaning back against the couch.

The call connected instantly. "JACEY! ARE YOU AT LEONARDO MORETTI’S PLACE?!" Dom’s voice boomed so loudly through the speaker that Jace winced. No greeting, no hello, just straight to the point, as usual.

"Yeah, I’m here," Jace replied lazily, a faint chuckle escaping him. "What’s wrong this time?"

"What’s wrong?!" Dom practically shrieked. "Everything! First, you expose the minister’s dark secret without fear, then you cause a goddamn sensation in Aldro Mafia because they offended you, and now you’re staying at Leonardo Moretti’s place like it’s some summer vacation resort?! Have you gone insane, you suicidal genius?!"

Jace chuckled again, rubbing his temple. "So you’ve been keeping track of my résumé, huh? I’m flattered."

Before Dom could reply, a muffled voice came from the background—Jason’s unmistakable tone. "He just wants to ask if he can come visit you!"

"SHUT UP, JASON!" Dom’s voice barked furiously, followed by the loud thud of something hitting the wall.

"YOU SHUT UP, YOU SHORT-TEMPERED GORILLA!" Jason yelled back.

More sounds followed—grunts, curses, and what sounded suspiciously like a pillow being used as a weapon.

Jace just sighed, smiling faintly as he listened to the chaos on the other end. "You two haven’t changed at all," he muttered to himself.

Finally, between the muffled sounds of wrestling and Jason’s distant laughter, Dom’s voice came back on the line, breathless and dramatic as always.

"I don’t want to come to the lion’s mouth, man! You think I’m crazy?!" he yelled. "You didn’t even join us that day! How about we make it a boys-only meet this time? No Scarlett—she’s busy flirting with that Zion guy or whatever his name is—and definitely no Bella. I’d love to see her, sure, but I also love my life, okay? I still love my life, damn it!"

Jace leaned back on the couch, his lips curving in amusement as he rubbed his temple. He could practically picture Dom pacing back and forth, waving his arms like a man giving a farewell speech.

"Of course, I’ll come," Jace said finally, his tone lazy but teasing. "But you’re paying."

"Nah! You’re paying! You skipped last time, you traitor!" Dom and Jason shouted in unison, their voices overlapping in chaotic harmony.

Jace’s icy-blue eyes glinted mischievously as his voice dropped into a dark, silky tone. "Hmm... you know," he drawled, "I’m thinking about helping Leo out these days. You do remember I’m friends with his little brother, right? What did you say, Dommy and Jassy?"

The line went dead silent for two full seconds. Then—

"YOU WOULDN’T!" Dom’s panicked shout nearly broke the speaker.

Jason burst out laughing somewhere behind him. "Oh, he would. You’re screwed, bro."

Jace chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "Then I’ll take that as you’re paying."

"FINE! FINE! Just don’t bring the mafia to my house again!" Dom yelled, and Jason added between laughter, "Tell Leo I said hi, but not in person—I value my spine!"

Jace smirked faintly and ended the call, the faint sound of their bickering still echoing in his ears.

Leaning back, he let out a quiet sigh, eyes glimmering with faint amusement. "Idiots," he muttered, though there was fondness in his voice. The corner of his lips lifted again as he looked toward Jay’s sleeping form.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

Bella was happy when Leo handed her a outfits to wear before they left. She quickly changed in his lounge and transformed back into Bella Bell from Isaac.

When she was done, Leo took her through his private elevator down to the personal garage so no one in the company would know she had been with him.

The evening light outside was golden and soft, the sky blushing faintly behind the tall buildings. Leo was driving today. One hand rested casually on the steering wheel, the other adjusting his watch, while Bella sat on the passenger seat beside him, her bag on her lap.

He leaned slightly toward her, fastening his seat belt with a smooth click, and his gray eyes briefly flicked toward her as she did the same. Satisfied, he started the engine, and the car came to life.

For a while, the ride was quiet—peaceful, filled with soft music from the speakers and the sound of the city beyond. Bella’s gaze followed the passing lights outside until something suddenly came to her mind.

"Leo," she said brightly, turning toward him, "can we buy something for Jay Jay and Jace?"

Leo’s brows raised slightly, though his attention stayed on the road. "Sure," he said, his deep voice calm. "What do you want to buy?"

"Well..." Bella’s face lit up with excitement. "I want to buy them some pastries! Maybe some little snacks too! They’ll love it."

Leo nodded slowly, his eyes on the traffic ahead. "Pastries and snacks, hmm?" he repeated under his breath, and though his tone was even, a faint shadow passed through his expression. His jaw tightened ever so slightly, the muscle shifting under his skin.

Bella, oblivious, continued happily, "Jay loves sweet things, and Jace really likes chocolates—"

"Do they?" he interrupted, his voice quiet but with a strange tone that made her glance up at him.

"Mm-hmm!" she nodded eagerly. "And I think it’ll make them really happy!"

Leo hummed without answering. His eyes darkened a little as the streetlights flashed across his face.

She was smiling, thinking about others again. Always so sweet, so thoughtful. Always giving pieces of her warmth away.

A small frown appeared on his lips before he masked it quickly.