Miles's eyes burned with anger as they fixed on Leah, heavy with disappointment and irritation.
"You've barely set foot here and already caused trouble. When will you learn?" he rebuked.
Leah retorted, revealing her temper. "I already said I will come over to receive my paintings today. How can you throw them out?"
Arianna rolled her eyes. "Who knew if you would be able to come here today or not? Our house isn't a storage shed for junk."
Leah tightened her hand into a tight grip. Red tinted the corner of her eyes as the words tangled in her throat. Leo stepped in, grabbing onto her fist and prying her fingers open to soothe her.
"Leah, just pack your things," he said calmly. "We won't stay in this filthy place any longer than we have to."
Leo's gentle attitude with Leah caught them off guard. They thought Leo wouldn't be able to accept Leah and would probably even throw her out of his house.
However, having him bring her over here and support her never crossed their minds. The rumors about Leo let them understand that no one who dared to offend him would have a good ending.
And for him, Leah must be the greatest offense.
Before Leah could respond, Miles cut in sharply. "Married or not, she's still my daughter, Son-in-law. She needs discipline when she stirs up trouble."
Leah's eyes flickered toward her father, but Leo only patted her head, his tone softening.
"Be a good girl, and listen to me. I will treat you to ice cream when we are out."
"Ice-cream?" Leah muttered. Thinking about the sweet treat made her feel enthusiastic.
At that, Leah turned on her heels and went towards her small basement to pack up the rest of her things.
"You—!" Miles turned his fury towards Leo. "Leo, no matter what, I would prefer it if you stop interrupting in my family affairs."
Leo's darkened eyes shot towards Miles, not hiding his murderous intent.
"Do I, Leo Zhen, look like a person easy to talk to?" Leo questioned— his voice dropping dangerously low.
He snatched a porcelain vase from the side table and, without hesitation, hurled it onto the glass table. The crash exploded through the room, shards flying and scattering over the area under everyone's shocked eyes.
A loud sound followed.
A loud cry left Jenny's mouth while everyone recoiled.
The corner of Leo's lips curled up to form a sinister smile. "Next time, I wouldn't miss it. It will be your head, Miles Xu."
Miles was taken aback.
"You, you, you— How dare you come to my house and threaten me? No respect for your adults! Do you think you're still that glamorous Young Master? You're a worthless bastard now! Do you think you will be able to get away with this!?" His voice cracked as rage choked him.
He clutched on to his chest. He couldn't recall the last time he had been disrespected so blatantly. If eyes could kill, Leo would be six feet under now.
Jenny stood by his side to support him.
"You, you, you," he mocked Miles with a sneer. "You can't even string a proper sentence together."
Arianna wore a frown on her face and stepped forward, saying, "Leo, I know you're a smart man. There is no need to perform such a discourteous act over someone as unsightly as Leah.
Having the bride changed must have displeased you, but I am my dad's only hope after all. He couldn't have married me to you. So why not let bygones be bygones and take a step back?"
Leo turned to look at Arianna. Glancing at her from top to bottom, disdain crossed his eyes, and he shook his head.
"It's not enough for me to despise you, and you think I am unworthy of you? You truly don't compare a strand of hair to Leah's," commented Leo.
"What would a wretched scoundrel like you know? My dear Arianna is perfect. She has hundreds and thousands of better prospects than you running after her. Don't say the grapes are sour because you couldn't get them." Jenny planted her hands on her hips, voice shrill.
Leo scoffed.
"Just because everyone enjoys rotten fish doesn't mean I have to."
"Rotten fish? How dare you call my daughter that?!" Jenny's face twisted with outrage.
Leo casually shrugged his shoulder. He thought about how Leah was pretty, talented, and kind. Only a family as blind as the Xu Family would pass off a fish eye as a pearl.
"Get out! Get out of my house right now! How dare you insult my daughter in my house!?" Miles bellowed.
"I can," Leo stated. Then, lifting his leg, he rested it atop the metal leg of the table, leaning closer and locking eyes with Miles. "But before that, I need to settle the score with you, Miles Xu, for slapping my wife."
Miles's chest heaved. "What? Do I need permission from you to educate my daughter now? Are you going to slap me in return?"
"That's tempting, but I can't carry the burden of being unfilial. What about you transfer five percent shares to Leah's name?" Leo raised one of his brows. There was a menacing glint in his eyes.
Arianna's expression soured, and she quietly slipped away while the tension thickened.
"You're dreaming!" Miles spat.
Leo sighed.
"I heard you have a son, Harry Xu— was it? You must have heard the rumors, right? I don't discriminate between men and women.
But no worries, my taste wouldn't go that low to target your dirty son. However, a few friends of mine have special tastes." His eyes darkened, turning gloomy and showing how he meant each of his words.
Miles's eyes widened in disbelief. For a second, both Jenny and he were tongue-tied.
"You, bastard, if you dare to touch my son, I will make sure you're dead!" Miles roared.
"Do you think that scares me?" Leo shot back. "I have so much flesh and blood in my hand. Even when I am down now, do you really think I can't do anything to your little Xu Family?"
Miles took in a deep breath, regaining his composure.
"Do whatever you want. You are not getting those shares. My son isn't someone a bastard like you can touch."
"When the time comes, I might not be as kind as today. Don't say I didn't warn you." Leo's smile grew.