Leah sneaked glances at her husband, getting a peek at the man driving her car. Her finger tapped on the phone screen. Soft music played in the background, easing the awkward silence between them.
Feeling his beloved eyes on him, Leo fixed his posture to sit up straight, and the hint of a gentle smile touched his lips.
At times, Leah stared out the window as well in awe. The number of times she was allowed out of the house ever since she turned an adult could be counted on one of her hands.
The wind that blew in through the open window brought her a sensation of refreshing freedom. Her lips curled up, a slight indentation forming in her cheeks from the dimple.
Soon, the car stopped in front of Xu Mansion. Leo stepped out of the car first, prior to walking over to Leah's side and unlocking the door for her.
When Leah got out of the car, she raised her head to look at the large mansion. Her chest squeezed painfully, and the overload of the traumatic memories pressed down on her head.
Her hand trembled.
Thinking about the prison she was locked up in for years, subjected to humiliation and mockery, nausea welled up inside Leah. She feared that the moment she entered, all the freedom she had earned hard would be stolen away again.
Leah's anxiety didn't go unnoticed by Leo. He extended his hand, and the next second, Leah found her fingers being opened. Leo intertwined his fingers with hers, giving her a soft squeeze.
This distracted Leah from her thoughts. Her hazel eyes stared at him widely, blinking in surprise. Leo said, "If we hurry in, we can get out earlier."
Leah nodded.
Then, she attempted to pull her hand out of the grip, but Leo tightened his hold on her. Lifting their clasped hand, he stated, "Don't let go of me, alright? Or else I will feel insecure."
Staring at the over six-foot man in front of her, she tilted her head in confusion, finding it difficult to believe even he would suffer from insecurity.
Her clear hazel eyes had her thoughts written all over them.
Leo pinched on her nose.
With their hands struck together, they made it into the premises of the Xu Family. Leah was about to enter the villa when her eyes paused on the paintings carried out by the servants, thrown out like trash.
"Burn them all! Ms. Arianna said they are creepy and dirtied her eyes!" ordered a maid.
Recognizing the paintings, Leah rushed towards them in panic. Assuming a protective stance, she pushed away the maid trying to burn them and pulled a painting away from another maid's hand.
Wiping the dust away, she carefully examined the drawing. After making sure no scratches were made on them, Leah hugged it tightly to her chest. Her brows were tightly knit together, glaring at them.
"These are mine!" Leah exclaimed.
Leo crouched down, checking the scattered paintings on the ground. The artwork was done with the spirit of creativity in hues of black and gray, representing the inner gloominess of the artist well.
However, underneath the darkness, there was a hint of color attached, showing the artist's fragile hope shining through.
He stacked a painting on top of others, carrying them all together in ease and standing up to his full height.
The maid was annoyed to have Leah interrupt her. Irritation flashed through her eyes, and she dismissively snapped, "Ms. Leah, stop creating a fuss here. We have enough work to do already. It's not as though we are getting paid to eat and sleep here."
Leah's lips pressed together. She wanted to argue, but understood they were mere workers who followed orders. Therefore, she said softly. "You can go and do your job then. I will take back my paintings."
However, the maid wasn't willing to act politely with her. Taking a step closer in an attempt to intimidate her, she sneered. "Can't do that, Ms. Leah. Ms. Arianna asked us to make sure to get rid of these ominous paintings. Don't keep us away from doing our job!"
She raised her voice at the end, making Leah flinch.
"Dear." Leo's gentle, steady voice broke the tension. "Can you please step behind me?"
She raised her head to stare at him questioningly, but the slight nod of his head reassured her. Leah abided by his words.
The warmth in his gaze vanished. In its place, a cold, dangerous shadow filled his eyes. The atmosphere in the room tightened, leaving the air heavy with unspoken threat.
Without a warning, Leo raised the stack of paintings in his hand, about to slam it down on the maid's head with all of his strength.
A strangled cry escaped her throat as her knees buckled. She collapsed to the floor, hands flying up to shield herself. When no blow came, she dared to peek through her fingers fearfully—only to find Leo's piercing gaze locked on her.
"I wouldn't dirty my beloved's art by letting it touch you," he said, voice icy.
The maid was about to get up from her position, about to release her anger towards Leo, when he pinned her to her position with his sharp gaze.
"Just because I can't use the paintings doesn't mean I don't have my legs," threatened Leo menacingly. "Kowtow to my wife, and apologize to her, or else..."
A vicious look crossed through his eyes.
The maid's breath hitched. She tried to summon courage, voice trembling. "Y-you can't do this. I'll call the police—I can have you arrested for assault!"
Before she could raise her chin high, Leo's eyes narrowed. His face twisted in mockery.
"You heard of the rumors, right? They are all true." Leo's voice dropped low, sounding dangerous and inducing a chill to run down one's blood. "Do you think you can contact the police faster than I can make you disappear?"
The maid's hand trembled, realizing how he couldn't be offended.
Although Leo Zhen was stripped of all his rights, it didn't change how he was a madman. The rumors described in detail how he mercilessly dealt with those daring to offend him.
"I will apologize," the maid stated.
The next second, holding much indignation, the maid closed her eyes and bowed in front of Leah. "Please, forgive me, Ms. Leah. I forgot my manners. I hope you can look past it."
Just then, a voice cut sharply through the area.
"What's with the commotion here?"