Chapter 309: Chapter 309 Obedient grandson Leo chuckled softly, his voice low and teasing. "Of course, bunny. You appreciate everything so adorably."
"And I don’t appreciate how you forget your Nonna!"
Before Leo could even blink, a hand shot up and grabbed his ear. His body stiffened instantly, and his expression shifted to absolute horror.
"Nonna—!" he hissed, his eyes wide as he turned to face the small but terrifying woman now standing behind him.
Victoria Moretti might have been petite, but her glare could make even the bravest men surrender. She was tiptoeing just to reach his ear, her wrinkled face full of righteous fury. "Why am I pulling your ear?" she repeated, her voice sharp as a whip. "You dare ask me that, Leonardo? You should be ashamed!"
Leo winced, trying to pull back without success. "Nonna, stop, you’re going to pull it off!"
"You deserve it!" she scolded. "My sweet granddaughter-in-law, Bella, brought me a gift, beautiful one, thoughtful one! But you, my dear grandson, didn’t even look at me when I arrived. Not a hug, not a word! Hmph!"
Bella sat there frozen for half a second before her hand flew up to cover her mouth. She couldn’t help it—the sight of the all-powerful mafia boss Leonardo getting scolded and dragged by the ear like a schoolboy was too much.
She burst out laughing, her giggles filling the whole room. "Nonna, stop, he looks like a scared rabbit!"
Leo shot her a deadly glare, his dark eyes narrowing, though the effect was ruined by the way his ear was being tugged sideways. "You think this is funny, bunny?" he muttered through gritted teeth.
Bella nodded quickly, still laughing. "Very funny! I didn’t know you were this obedient!"
Nonna smirked proudly, giving Leo’s ear one last tug before letting go. "Hah! Of course he is! He may look like a lion outside, but at home, he’s just my little boy who used to cry when he saw broccoli."
"Nonna!" Leo groaned, rubbing his ear, his face turning slightly red. "Don’t tell her that!"
Bella gasped between laughs. "You cried over broccoli?"
He turned to her, deadpan. "Don’t you start."
Nonna crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Maybe next time you’ll remember to bring your Nonna a present too. Or I might bring out the punishment."
Leo froze. His expression drained of color. "Not that oil, Nonna."
She raised an eyebrow. "Exactly that oil."
Bella blinked, curious. "Oil?"
Leo closed his eyes in defeat. "Her special blend. Half garlic, half ginger. My hair smelled like pasta for a week."
Bella laughed so hard she nearly doubled over, clutching her stomach. "Oh no, Leo spaghetti!"
Leo glared at her again. "ISABELLA."
"Yes, pasta?" she said sweetly, grinning from ear to ear.
Nonna laughed heartily, patting Bella’s cheek affectionately. "Ah, I like her! She’s perfect for you. Someone needs to keep you humble, Leonardo."
Leo sighed in defeat, muttering something under his breath in Italian that made Nonna smack his arm lightly.
"Language!" she said.
"Yes, Nonna," he replied flatly.
Bella giggled again, leaning closer to whisper teasingly, "Don’t worry, Leo. I’ll buy you garlic shampoo next time."
Leo groaned.
Finally, Nonna went inside the room, and Leo followed her obediently—head lowered, steps slow, like a soldier heading to his fate.
. "And dear," Nonna began proudly, "my ginger and garlic oil is very powerful! Look at him!" She pointed toward Leo dramatically. "Why do you think this boy has such thick, shiny hair, hm? You think it’s from those fancy salon products? No! It’s from my oil, the secret of our family!"
Bella gasped softly, eyes wide in mock awe. "Really?"
"Of course!" Nonna said, puffing her chest with pride. "I used to massage his head every week when he was little. Not a single inch of hair ever dared to fall! That oil keeps the scalp strong, clears the sinuses, and keeps away evil spirits!"
Leo rolled his eyes and groaned quietly, dragging a hand down his face.
Without even glancing back, Nonna added sharply, "Don’t roll your eyes, boy! You can pretend all you want, but you know I’m right. Your hair’s still shining because of me! Otherwise, with that stinky, grumpy face of yours, do you think any girl would’ve stayed near you?"
Bella choked on a laugh, trying her best to hide her smile.
Nonna wasn’t done. "Hmph! If it weren’t for my oil’s blessings, all the girls would’ve run away from you, screaming. You’d still be single and miserable. But look at you now—you’ve got such a beautiful wife!" She turned to Bella, her expression softening instantly. "Sweetheart, you must have divine patience to handle him."
Bella giggled, cheeks glowing pink. "He’s not that bad, Nonna."
"Don’t defend him, dear!" Nonna waved her hand dismissively. "He needs discipline. I think you should also start using my herbal face mask. It will make your skin glow like moonlight! And apply it on Leo too. Maybe he’ll stop frowning so much if he smells like herbs instead of attitude."
Bella covered her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.
Leo sighed dramatically. "Nonna, please don’t tell her about that mask again. The last time you made me try it, I looked like a cucumber dipped in paint."
"Exactly!" Nonna said, completely unbothered. "And your skin glowed for days. You’re welcome!"
Bella couldn’t hold it anymore; she burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Nonna, can you please give me that recipe? I want to make sure Leo uses it regularly!"
Leo turned to her slowly, deadpan. "You’re enjoying this too much, aren’t you, bunny?"
Bella nodded innocently. "Maybe just a little."
"Good girl," Nonna said proudly, patting Bella’s cheek. "Keep him in line. And if he acts stubborn, just show him the oil bottle. Works every time."
Leo groaned under his breath as Nonna finally left the room, humming cheerfully like the chaos she caused didn’t exist. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "She’s a storm," he muttered, glaring faintly at the doorway she disappeared through.
Bella blinked, tilting her head with that innocent smile that always softened his irritation. "Storm? She’s cute and interesting," she said, her tone warm and amused.