Chapter 336: Chapter 336 Certified fools Jason smirked, leaning closer. "You heard me, Mr. Debt Collector’s Favorite Victim."
"YOU—YOU LITTLE—!" Dominic shrieked, reaching over to pinch Jason’s waist so hard that Jason yelped and nearly spilled his drink.
"OUCH! You bastard!" Jason shouted, punching Dom’s arm.
"Ow! Don’t hit me, you oversized pigeon!" Dom growled, grabbing a fistful of Jason’s hair and tugging, while Jason tried to twist his ear in return.
Within seconds, both were tangled together like two fighting toddlers, rolling halfway down the couch.
Scarlett covered her face with her hand. "God, give me strength."
Zeke was wheezing into his sleeve, trying not to laugh out loud. "This is supposed to be a friend reunion, not a kindergarten brawl."
Meanwhile, Leo stood there silently, watching the chaos with a face so cold it could freeze fire. His sharp gray eyes moved from Bella—who was helplessly trying to separate them to the two idiots clawing at each other.
These were her friends? He blinked slowly, his jaw ticking. They look like fools, he thought flatly. Actual, certified fools. But then his gaze caught something else—a familiar face. His eyes narrowed slightly. Sinclair? Bella finally stepped forward, beaming proudly, completely oblivious to the storm behind her husband’s calm eyes.
"Everyone," she said cheerfully, "this is Leo, my husband. And that’s Zion, his friend!"
The boys immediately straightened up. Jason froze mid-grapple with Dom, and Zeke almost dropped his glass.
Zeke stood quickly and shook Leo’s hand, forcing a polite smile. "Zeke Sinclair, sir. Big fan of... uh... breathing."
Leo’s handshake was firm, his expression unreadable. "Good. I like people who value it."
Zeke gulped. "...Right."
Bella turned toward Jason next. "And he’s Jason!"
Jason hastily fixed his hair and flashed his most charming grin, though his cheek was still red from the fight. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Moretti. You, uh, look... strong."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment or a survival instinct?" This guy seemed to know who he was. Interesting, Leo thought with a faint smirk.
Jason laughed nervously. "Bit of both."
"And that," Bella said sweetly, turning to the couch, "is Dom—oh, wait..."
Everyone looked over. Dominic was slumped sideways on the couch, snoring softly with his head against the armrest, completely gone.
Bella blinked. "Dom? Are you sleeping?"
Jason burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking. "Oh, he’s drunk, and I might’ve punched him too hard, so yeah—he passed out. My bad!"
Scarlett groaned, rubbing her temples. "You idiots."
Leo just exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. But when his eyes drifted back to Bella—her cheeks flushed, her laughter soft, her eyes glowing—his anger melted away like frost under sunlight.
Bella’s heart was practically glowing as she guided Leo and Zion toward the empty couches. She looked so proud, like a wife showing off her favorite person to her favorite people.
"Sit here, Leo," she said softly, eyes sparkling. "Zion, you too."
Leo gave a small nod, his usual cold expression softening as he obeyed, taking the seat where she had pointed. His arm brushed hers, and she smiled unconsciously. Zion sat beside him, quietly observing while stealing a few glances toward Scarlett.
Jason leaned forward instantly, curiosity gleaming in his mischievous eyes. "Sooo," he began, drawing the word out dramatically. "Can I call you Leo? Or would you prefer... brother-in-law?"
Scarlett’s jaw dropped. "Jason," she hissed, "are you trying to die tonight?"
Jason grinned wider, utterly fearless. "What? Bella’s like a little sister to me. So technically—"
Before Scarlett could finish strangling him, Leo tilted his head slightly. His gaze lingered on Jason for a second too long, then, to everyone’s surprise, his lips curved in the faintest hint of a smile. "You can call me Leo," he said calmly.
Jason lit up like a Christmas tree. "LEO BRO!" he declared proudly.
Zeke covered his face. "Oh no," he whispered.
Even Zion blinked, trying not to laugh at the sheer audacity of the man.
"So, Leo bro," Jason continued, clearly feeling too confident for his own good, "that guy from earlier—what was that about? Everything happened so fast I thought I hallucinated a whole action scene."
Leo leaned back, resting one arm on the couch. His gray eyes darkened slightly as he spoke in that low, steady tone that could silence a room. "He owed me fifty thousand. Been hiding for months."
Jason whistled. "Fifty thousand? And you caught him?"
Leo nodded. "Tonight."
Jason’s grin turned cheeky. "So what are you gonna do with him?"
Zeke’s hand froze midair. "Jason, shut up."
Jason ignored him completely, eyes sparkling with mischief. "No, no, don’t tell me—let me guess! You’re gonna, like, tie him up in a basement somewhere until he pays you back, right? Or maybe make him disappear?"
Leo turned his head slowly, his gaze locking onto Jason like a predator deciding whether to play with its food.
The grin vanished from Jason’s face instantly.
"Why?" Leo asked in that deceptively calm, low tone. "You planning to borrow money from me too?"
Jason’s hands shot up like he was surrendering. "What? Me?! No way, Leo bro! I’m very responsible with my finances!"
Scarlett smirked. "Yeah, sure. You still owe me lunch money from last year."
Jason shot her a betrayed look. "Scarlett! Not the time!"
Meanwhile, Dominic—who had been pretending to doze off—suddenly went pale. For a second, he couldn’t tell if the guy beside him was his friend or his enemy.
Little shit, Dominic thought irritably. He doesn’t deserve my friendship. Leo’s gaze sharpened, drifting lazily toward the man half-slouched on the couch. "And by the way," he murmured, voice smooth but edged with quiet authority, "who’s that?"
For some reason, Leo already felt this man was trouble—better-looking trouble. Jason chuckled nervously. "Oh him? That’s Dominic. Famous model. You know—the kind women lose their sanity over. Magazines, catwalks, perfume ads—the works."
Leo’s eyebrow lifted a fraction, his gray eyes narrowing just enough to make Jason gulp.
Of course, Jason didn’t stop there. "He once said if Bella wasn’t married, he’d probably marry her himself! He even regretted not bringing her flowers tonight—haha, funny story, right?"
Leo’s eyes narrowed instantly. He didn’t move for several seconds. His jaw flexed once. The air around him turned heavier, darker, as if the temperature had just dropped ten degrees.