Nico's gaze locked onto Ella and his eyes were even colder than before. "What? Do I need to report to you when I return to my own home?"
Leon’s heart skipped a beat. Without another word, he grabbed Ella’s hand, preparing to leave. If Nico found out how he had been behaving at home, next month’s allowance would be gone for sure.
"Uncle, today is Ella's birthday. I’m taking Leah with me."
Nico’s sharp gaze swept over the bruises on Leah’s body. "Oh? So, where is this event being held? Once I’m done with work, I’ll stop by."
Leon felt a chill run down his spine. "I’ll send you the address."
The moment Leon and Ella left, Leah moved to shut the door, but a polished leather shoe wedged into the gap, stopping it from closing.
A long, slender hand followed, reaching through the doorway. The wristwatch alone was worth eight figures and the cufflinks were custom-made.
"Open the door." Nico's voice broke no argument.
Leah quickly pulled her coat tighter around herself and asked warily, "What do you want?"
Niko let out a low chuckle. "I'm peaking to my future wife, isn't that a normal thing to do?"
Leah’s grip on the doorknob tightened. "If you’re asking me to attend her birthday banquet, a message would have sufficed."
Nico’s expression darkened. "Come upstairs with me."
"What for?"
"To change clothes."
His tone wasn’t exactly gentle. The young woman before him was frail, yet she had grown sharp and defensive. Just how much suffering had she endured in prison to be left with so many scars? The sight of them unsettled him in a way he wasn’t used to.
He hated feeling out of control, so his expression turned colder as he spun around and strode away.
Leah hesitated only a moment before following him.
They reached the study, but just before stepping inside, Nico suddenly stopped. Leah wasn’t paying attention so she bumped straight into his back.
He turned slightly to look down at her. "Leah, direct all that defiance toward Leon. Prove to me that you’re worth my investment."
Leah met Nico's eyes without hesitation. She had known all along that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Nico was a businessman. He wouldn’t strike a deal unless it were profitable.
A slow smile curved on Leah's lips and there was a glint in her eyes. "Fine. Just don’t forget what you promised me, Mr. Diakos."
Dressed in the latest Belladonna-brand gown, Leah looked stunning. The silk lace gloves and fur stole concealed every trace of her injuries, leaving only an air of elegance.
Ella’s birthday banquet was an extravagant affair. It was attended by the elite of high society.
While the Diakos Family was at the pinnacle of the social hierarchy, the Remington Family was barely considered as the second tier.
The moment Leah stepped into the grand hall, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Who’s that?"
"Who else? The Remington Family’s other daughter. The one who went to prison. Stay away from her."
"I heard she was originally Leon’s girlfriend, but her sister stole him."
"Honestly, what’s the point of marrying Leon? The Diakos Family belongs to Nico now. I’d try my luck with him."
"You don’t get it. Leon is still the eldest grandson of the Diakos Family. Whatever happens, everything Nico has built will eventually go back to him."
"That’s still not certain. What if Nico has a child of his own?"
***
