CHAPTER 420: CHAPTER 420 APOLOGISE

When Bella and Leo finally stepped out of the changing room, it looked as if two entirely different people had entered the store.

Leo walked out calm and composed, not a crease in his shirt, not a strand of hair out of place. He looked like he had simply checked the fit of a suit and discussed business inside, his expression elegant and indifferent, untouched by anything that might have happened behind the door.

Bella, however...

Bella was dying inside.

Her cheeks were so red they could have melted the floor tiles. Her eyes kept darting anywhere except toward Leo. She tried to fix her hair, but her hands were shaking so much that she only made it worse. She could barely walk in a straight line. All she wanted was to crawl into a hole and cover it with cement.

And as if fate wanted to ruin her further...

Two new saleswomen stood nearby, staring at Bella and Leo with awkward confusion. One blinked rapidly as if her brain had stopped functioning. The other looked down at her clipboard and pretended to be extremely busy, though she was clearly watching through the corner of her eye.

Bella felt her knees weaken.

Oh no... oh no... they saw us... they KNOW...

She immediately grabbed Leo’s sleeve and whispered in a frantic, trembling voice, "D-do you want this one? This suit? This one is perfect, right? RIGHT?"

Leo looked at her, amusement dancing in his eyes, the corners of his lips threatening to curve into a smile. He nodded slowly. "Yes," he said, his voice dripping with quiet laughter. "I want that one."

Bella refused to give him a chance to tease her. She grabbed his wrist and practically dragged him toward the cashier, moving like a panicked squirrel escaping its predator.

"Come on let’s go let’s go let’s go—!"

But the moment they reached the counter, Bella froze again.

Because the same saleswoman from earlier, the one Leo had scolded stood behind the counter next to the cashier. She was attempting to look professional, but her hands trembled slightly. When she noticed Leo approaching, her eyes widened with fear... and then, unbelievably, she glared at Bella.

Bella blinked, stunned.

Leo’s hand immediately tightened around Bella’s waist.

But Bella was too embarrassed to react. Fighting anyone was not on her list today. She only fumbled inside her tiny purse with trembling fingers and quickly pulled out her card.

"Here! I-I’m paying," she said, her voice soft and squeaky as she placed it on the counter.

The cashier accepted it politely.

But the earlier saleswoman kept staring, furious and humiliated. Because of Bella, her manager had nearly fired her and had ordered her to apologize. She was angry, embarrassed, and far from accepting reality.

Bella swallowed nervously.

Leo’s expression darkened instantly, turning sharp and cold, a frightening contrast to his earlier warmth. The glare vanished from the saleswoman’s face immediately, replaced by pure fear. She lowered her head at once, her hands shaking even more.

Bella’s cheeks grew hotter.

She brushed her fingers lightly along Leo’s arm, silently begging him to let it go.

She whispered, almost hiding behind him, "L-let’s just pay and leave... please..."

But Leo didn’t move.

He didn’t even blink.

His cold gaze stayed locked on the trembling saleswoman, his expression growing darker with every passing second. The atmosphere around him shifted, the air turning heavy and icy. Even Bella felt that quiet, dangerous anger.

At that moment, the manager stepped out from the back. He adjusted his glasses, scrolling through a clipboard. His polite smile faltered the instant he saw Leo standing there. His entire posture stiffened, panic rising in his eyes. The clipboard almost fell from his hands.

"S-sir..." he stuttered. "I’m deeply sorry if our staff caused any discomfort."

Leo remained silent.

The manager’s fear intensified. He turned sharply toward the saleswoman, his face dark. "Amanda! Why are you standing there? Apologize to the madam immediately!"

Earlier, he had received a furious phone call from someone the store could never afford to offend, warning him about her behavior. He had told her she must apologize if she wanted to keep her job. But she still had not understood the seriousness.

Amanda flinched and stepped forward with trembling legs. The glare she had thrown at Bella was gone completely, replaced by regret and panic. She kept her head bowed, swallowing hard before whispering, "I’m really sorry, ma’am. I spoke out of turn. I didn’t mean to offend you."

Bella blinked in surprise. She quickly raised her hands, shaking her head. "It’s okay, really. You don’t have to be scared."

But Amanda bowed even deeper, her voice shaking. She could not look up. Leo’s presence alone made her tremble.

The manager’s frustration grew. "Apologize properly! Do you want to lose your job?"

Bella felt horrible watching the scene. Embarrassment mixed with guilt, tightening her chest. She tugged at Leo’s sleeve again, whispering softly, "Please, let’s go."

He finally turned toward her, and the coldness in his eyes melted instantly, replaced by softness. He brushed her wrist gently, calming her trembling heart.

But before leaving, he spoke.

His voice was low and steady, almost quiet, but sharp enough to freeze the entire store.

"Don’t glare at my wife again," Leo said. "Because I am perfectly capable of pulling your eyeballs out."

Amanda stumbled backward, eyes filled with tears. She nodded rapidly, unable to speak. Her hands shook so violently she had to grip the counter for support.

Bella snatched the shopping bag and her card, her face burning with embarrassment. She grabbed Leo’s wrist again.

"Come. Let’s go. Now."

She pulled him out of the shop with quick, frantic steps, her cheeks glowing hot.

Leo followed her easily, walking behind her as if threatening someone moments ago was nothing unusual.

Behind them, the store slipped into quiet chaos.

Amanda collapsed onto a chair, sobbing. The manager erupted in anger, yelling about her behavior and the consequences. But Amanda barely heard him.

Her friend rushed over and hugged her, whispering, "Don’t cry. That man looked like mafia. Be grateful you got fired. At least you’re alive."

Amanda sobbed harder.